Hello, readers of the Hongik Tidings (hereafter HT)! I’m Jiwon Park, the new head editor of HT. Before saying some greetings to open this issue, I’m going to confess something. I am not an excellent English learner and I may be not as good at English as you. You are about to open the first chapter of the HT, which is full of English sentences in a page, even though the HT is composed of 45 pages! In this context, I think that you, the readers of the HT, are the bravest and the cleverest people. Therefore, I swear that you can be proud of yourself as one of them.

Returning to our subject, I and my friends have often worried about how we can become advanced-level English learners to sound like natives. Also, even if our major does not concern English, we may have a major textbook written in English and sometimes take an English-level test as a requirement. In this context, we have tried to read more English sentences in the textbooks or to prepare for more English examinations. Technically, we have been exposed to English as a studying matter. I think that makes more people feel pressure and fear about English, as I have been one of them! For that reason, we’re continually trying harder to fulfill our duty : that the HT helps our readers to have an environment in which they can naturally use English in their daily life and not to feel pressure about reading an English newspaper.

Now, we want to show you a new HT, of which our members have changed some points with careful concern.

First, we have shortened the length of the articles. In addition, we have tried to diversify the themes of the HT, like a college students’ lifestyle and their leisure activities, by adding a fashion section called Hongik Style and dividing some sections called On the Road and The Passion Pit, which are covered by two editors per section. The two changes above are aimed at the readers to take our HT more lightly than before and enjoy it. However, at the same time, we still try to give important tidings about the issues happening on campus or in society, as we have always done. We’re trying to sincerely give tidings written by our hearts, which you cannot just find from the internet.

As all members of the HT have always done, we will try hard to help you learn English without any pressure in your daily life. Looking at the first sentence on the next contents page, you will find a list of our members who you might see on campus, maybe as your friends. This September issue is well prepared by them.

We hope to see you again at the last page of the September issue, which has been made with our passion. Thank you, always!

To be continued…