The popular VOA radio program American Idioms English can now be heard on FM stations across Myanmar following an agreement between the VOA Burmese Service and its affiliate network Shwe FM.
“The new partnership with Shwe FM is another example of VOA’s effort to inform the people of Myanmar about American culture and society,” said VOA Executive Editor Steve Redisch. “Additional VOA educational and American music programs are also being prepared for broadcast on Shwe FM.”
American Idioms English introduces one popular expression in each episode, and explains the meaning in Burmese. Expanded episodes air each Friday morning on short wave and medium wave radio, and introduce a series of thematically related idioms. The local newspaper 7Day News also reprints scripts of the week’s episodes every Sunday.
In addition to Shwe FM, audiences can also listen to American Idioms English, and get all the latest US and international news on the VOA Burmese website, and on shortwave and AM frequencies.
VOA Burmese is the most popular international broadcaster in Myanmar, reaching its audience on radio, TV, the Internet and mobile. A Gallup audience survey conducted in 2012 indicates one in five adults listen to or watch a VOA Burmese program each week.
VOA Burmese Service Chief Lwin Htun Than, who recently visited Naypyidaw, says he was surprised how popular the English learning program is with radio audiences in Myanmar. “A senior minister of the government came up to me with a big smile, and told me how much he enjoyed American Idioms English,” Lwin says. “He remembered that morning’s lesson and practiced using the expression with me.”
Shwe FM plans to broadcast the lessons on their network of 10 FM stations around the country, according to Shwe FM Chairman, Ms. Nan Mouk.
Last year, VOA signed a separate agreement with regional direct-to-home satellite provider Sky Net, which has been airing the VOA Asia TV news channel with Burmese language and English language programs.
Voice of America (VOA) launched its first satellite TV program for Myanmar in 2009.
For more information about this release contact Kyle King at the VOA Public Relations office in Washington at (202) 203-4959, or write kking@voanews.com. Additional information can be found at the VOA Public Relations website www.insidevoa.com, or the main news site www.voanews.com.
WASHINGTON, D.C. —
