Most tech-savvy folk have probably heard of
”
podcasts
”
– online radio shows that anybody can produce and distribute to
potentially thousands of listeners online using relatively
inexpensive equipment.
Most tech-savvy folk have probably heard of “podcasts” – online radio shows that anybody can produce and distribute to potentially thousands of listeners online using relatively inexpensive equipment.
What they may not be as familiar with is the French PodClass, brainchild of 27-year-old Sebastien Babolat, a native Frenchman and onetime Hollister resident. Since its inception in 2005, the French PodClass has attracted tens of thousands of amateur scholars looking to build up their vocabulary skills en Francais or learn a little more about French culture.
“It’s been surprisingly successful since the very first edition,” he said. “But it’s grown exponentially since then. I’ve been able to add more and more as we go along.”
Babolat was working as an intern for a firm in Hollister and was motivated to try his hand at podcasting by simple boredom, he said. Using basic software and a store-bought mic, he could record his own custom French lessons and post them online for listeners to download and play on their computers or iPods.
“I had my computer – I’m kind of a geek – and I didn’t have much else to do after work, so I thought I would try it,” he said.
In the year and a half the show has been on the air, the French PodClass has only dropped out of iTunes’ Top 100 list of podcasts for a total of three weeks. The show regularly attracts between 35,000 and 45,000 listeners every week, from all experience levels and age groups.
“Some of them took French in high school but haven’t used it in years, some are total beginners and some are pretty good,” Babolat said. “A few of them are using the show to help with French class at school. My youngest listener is 14 and the oldest is maybe 70.”
The show’s popularity has earned Babolat write-ups in publications such as BusinessWeek, Wired Magazine and the New York Times, which have painted him as a sort of poster boy for a new generation of techies who are using the Internet to share music, hobbies and expertise with listeners.
The key to the podcast’s continued success, Babolat says, is variety. Fifteen- minute segments of grammar and vocabulary are broken up with French songs from all genres, and each show typically includes a review of a French or bilingual book or film.
“If you don’t love the culture, or if you aren’t interested, you’ll never learn the language,” he said.
Listeners have a chance to learn about aspects of life in France that they might never even touch upon in a conventional French class.
“He talks a lot more about the everyday language, or topics like how to read French road signs or dial the French version of 9-1-1,” said Kim Bigelow, a devoted local listener. “That’s just not the sort of stuff you get in French 101. If I ever get the chance to go back to France, I have a lot of tools that will come in handy.”
While he doesn’t plan on quitting his day job just yet, Babolat has several plans to expand his company, Frenchie Productions, including offline components and materials aimed at younger students. Already he’s added “Discover France With Sebastien,” to the podcast’s main Web page, a series of silly travel videos designed to expose viewers to French cities and attractions off the beaten tourist path.
“My goal is to keep everything free; I don’t want to charge for this,” he said.
As it is, the program is entirely listener-supported, with fans donating money or expertise – the podcast’s Web site is designed and maintained by fans, as is the merchandise and press kit. Babolat hopes getting corporate sponsors will allow him to bring new things to his audience while maintaining the podcast’s fun, quirky tone.
“Sebastien’s show is different from other podcasts out there because it’s always entertaining, so that keeps people interested, whether they’re beginners or more advanced,” said Babolat’s girlfriend, Michelle Stokan.
In the future, Babolat is thinking about relocating from Monterey to San Diego to attend school, but doesn’t see the French PodClass going away any time soon.
“I tell my listeners it’s their podcast, so have fun with it,” he said. “So as long as they want something done, I’ll do my best to give it to them.”
For more information or to check out the French PodClass, visit www.frenchieproductions.com.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or
ds****@fr***********.com
