Professional Certificate in Radio Presenting/Podcasting at The Irish Academy of Public Relations

Get ready to immerse yourself in a captivating, fast-paced communications career like no other. Our exclusive Radio Presenting training is your gateway to a world of endless possibilities, blending distance learning, online education, and exhilarating in-studio recording experiences.

At the heart of this transformative course lies our three key focus areas: Voice-training, Newsreading, and the Art of Interviewing. You’ll be guided by seasoned radio journalists during your studio days, while a qualified sound engineer ensures your brilliance is captured on a professional sound desk.

But that’s not all. Our course also covers the world of Podcasting, opening doors for both studio and office/home-based microphone careers.

We set our sights on honing the essential skills that a Radio Presenter truly needs. With our structured ten-module course, eight of which can be self-taught or accessed through distance learning, and two in-studio modules, you’ll be primed for success.

Located in the vibrant city of Dublin, Ireland, our cutting-edge studios await your arrival. On your studio days, you’ll don the headphones, take control of the microphones, conduct captivating interviews, and get comfortable with the sound of your own voice. You’ll feel the energy of a real radio environment as you unveil your true strengths.

Upon graduation, you’ll receive your Demo Disc featuring your two recordings and a coveted professional Certificate in Radio Presenting. Your Demo Disc is your passport to radio stations, showcasing your exceptional talents to future employers. While a well-crafted CV is essential for some jobs, for radio, it’s all about how you SOUND – and your Demo Disc will make you shine like a star!

Are you ready to seize your destiny as a captivating Radio Presenter or Podcaster? Prepare to make your mark on the airwaves and beyond! With a cutting-edge syllabus tailored to your success and exhilarating in-studio interview experiences, your journey awaits! Enrol now and become the master of your own radio destiny.

Full details can be found here on our website

Accreditation

Our certificate in Radio Presenting  is endorsed by ICM, the Institute of Commercial Management in the UK.

Digital Certification

Flaunt your achievements with pride! Our exclusive certificate and digital badge let you showcase your verified skills on social media and in your email signature.

Course Syllabus

Module 1 – Introduction to Radio Presenting and Podcasting

In this introductory module, participants will delve into the world of radio presenting, understanding its history, significance, and the critical role of journalism in shaping radio content. We will study the growth of podcasting and need to apply journalistic standards to podcasts to ensure credibility. Anchored in the essence of news, attendees will uncover what makes a story newsworthy and the unique challenges radio journalists and podasters face.

Key Topics

• Understanding what journalism is all about
• The evolution and significance of Radio Broadcasting.
• The growth of podcasting.
• Defining the role and skills of a Radio Presenter/ Podcaster
• Understanding and determining the newsworthiness of stories.
• Dealing with bias in journalism

Module 2 – Voice Training

This module is designed to enhance your radio broadcasting skills. From mastering the rhythm and clarity of speech with a focus on speed and enunciation, to understanding the intricacies of accurate pronunciation, this module has you covered. It delves into the crucial role of breath management for stamina and vocal projection to command listener attention, while also exploring the strategy behind emphasis placement to highlight key points. Additionally, it prioritizes the importance of thorough preparation for successful broadcasts and equips you with essential skills to handle unexpected scenarios when interviews go awry.

Module 3 – Making a Podcast

Uncover what a podcast is, why they are created, and how to select engaging content for your own. Understand the potential of podcasts as a PR tool for businesses and learn strategies to capture and retain your audience’s attention. Delve into the practical aspects of podcasting, including the necessary planning, preparation, and technical know-how. Finally, learn how to visually brand your podcast and upload it for your audience to enjoy. Whether you’re a PR professional looking to venture into podcasting, a marketer who wants to expand your corporate audience, or an enthusiast seeking to start your own podcast, this module offers all the necessary insights to get you started on your podcasting journey.

Module 4 – Writing for Radio or Podcasts

In this module on writing for radio and podcasts, we dive into the distinct techniques and principles that set them apart from print and other mediums. While traditional news often employs the “inverted pyramid” approach, radio and podcast narratives embrace a hypothesis-driven style. This prioritizes a gripping main point, bolstered by supporting facts and a poignant conclusion. This methodology is illuminated through the construction of a story based on a hypothetical event. Furthermore, the module underscores the adaptability inherent in radio and podcast journalism, highlighting the capacity to reshape stories to fit a myriad of formats while preserving the core narrative essence. One of the foundational elements in both mediums is the lead or “headline”, which doesn’t merely introduce but defines the tone for the audience. Another pivotal aspect discussed is the role of sound. Audio clips in both radio and podcasts lend depth, context, and validation to narratives, while ambient sounds or background noises amplify the immersive experience for listeners. At its heart, writing for radio and podcasts is an art form, intertwining concise storytelling with evocative sound elements for a captivating auditory journey.

Module 5 – Reading the News (In Studio)

You will arrive at the radio studios, armed with your pre-written text for a full radio bulletin. The purpose of today, is to learn how to deliver this text with clear diction, at an even pace, with good emphasis, and – crucially for news reporting – with no emotion in your voice (neither pleasure/disgust/horror etc). A good newsreader does not display their own emotions. Instead, the content of the report and the way that they deliver it, means that the listener develops an emotional response (e.g. dismissive, furious, unbelieving etc).

You will have two opportunities to record your news bulletin. You will also be able to see others recording their bulletins and learn from them as well (group learning).

Module 6 – Ethics in Journalism

This module explores the core principles of ethics in journalism, beginning with an introduction to the purpose and practice of journalism. It explores the significance of objectivity in reporting and examines the landscape of the media industry. The module delves into the National Union of Journalists’ Code of Conduct, illustrating its role in maintaining journalistic integrity. The module tackles contemporary issues such as the impact and management of fake news, the necessity of error reporting, and the importance of media law and rigorous fact-checking. It scrutinizes the ethical considerations around the use of images and the challenges of reporting on sensitive issues. The module also investigates the impact of advertising on journalistic content and explores the emerging field of entrepreneurial journalism. This modules will equip you with the necessary understanding and skills to navigate the ethical complexities within today’s media environment.

Module 7 – Investigative Journalism

You will learn how investigative journalists harness their expertise to uncover hidden truths and spotlight societal issues of paramount importance. Tracing its historical evolution, from the groundbreaking work of early pioneers like William Stead, Nellie Bly, and Jacob Riis to notable instances like the Watergate scandal, this module highlights how this journalistic practice has evolved over time. The module underscores the critical role of primary sources, data analysis, and expert consultations in shaping a solid investigative report. Moreover, it explores the significant investment of time, energy, and resources investigative journalism demands. Crucially, this module will address ethical considerations, balancing the quest for truth with potential legal implications. The module culminates with an overview of how investigative journalism is presented in radio, examining both long-form broadcasts and shorter wrap-around segments.

Module 8 – Interviewing Techniques

This module is about making sure you get the interview that you wanted. So, we cover what the purpose of an interview is, how to set up an interview, and what location to use, clothes to wear, timing to allow. We look at the different types of interviews – funnel and inverted-funnel. Planning and structuring your question are dealt with in some detail – asking open and closed questions, as well as asking very personal questions. We also dive into one of the key skills of a good interviewer – listening and dealing with both hostile interviewees and ‘no comment’ responses.

Module 9 – Conducting Interviews

This module is about conducting interviews. It covers the 4 classifications of questions (closed, semi-open, open, and declarative). You will learn how to avoid common interview pitfalls. You will develop an understanding of the interview categories (like informational or reactionary).

For your assignment, you will be asked to choose an interviewee (this person should be available to attend, in studio, on the recording day). You will structure and introduction to your guest and the questions that you want to ask them. You will also structure your closing piece. The assignment will be reviewed by your tutor who will comment/amend/offer advice in advance of the recording day.

Module 10 – Interviews (In Studio)

You will arrive into the radio studios, armed with your pre-written text for a fully recorded radio or podcast interview. The purpose of today, is to learn how to showcase your ability to question and interact with your chosen subject. This person will be live, in studio, with you for the recording. Your introduction will outline who they are and what you want to get from the interviewee. Your closer will show that you achieved your aim.

This recording is done ‘as live’ – it is a one-take interview which runs for approx. 20 minutes.

You will also have an opportunity to see others recording interviews with their guests.