TCP Alum (Fall/Spring 2018-2019) Christian Perticone has been busy with both NYS TESOL, as a co-chair of its TeLL SIG, and as an IEP Program Director at ASA College. He was a lead organizer and co-presenter in the February 3rd-9th “Global Conference on Hip Hop Education: Exploring Hip Hop as a Source of Empowerment in Our Global Communities”, co-sponsored by ASA College and the Hip Hop Association of Advancement and Education. 

The conference featured presenters from 14 different countries and nearly 300 participants. He and TC alum Derek Baylor presented about the intersection of TESOL Education and Hip Hop Education since his graduating from TCP. Christian’s particular area of focus is the use of Hip Hop composition to help students improve suprasegmental features of pronunciation via self-assessment and self-feedback. In writing and performing their own rap songs about their experiences coming to New York, Christian’s students develop their skill with connected speech, rhythm, and intonation. 

With NYS TESOL, Christian helped the TeLL SIG (Technology Enhanced Language Learning) produce a series of online workshops to help teachers adjust to the challenges of online education. Currently, the TeLL SIG is planning the Spring 2021 VirtuaTell Conference on the theme of “Equity, Access, and the Digital Divide: Challenges and Opportunities for Language Learning and Teaching”. 

Christian credits his TCP training and faculty relationships as being the key factor in his growth from his career as a teacher and program coordinator. He says, “The training and education I received at TCP helped me take a critical approach to my teaching and make improvements based on the principles of pedagogy and applied linguistics that the program champions. After TCP I had the confidence, framework, and vocabulary to help other educators develop their skills. Moreover, I was able to come back to my TCP professors, who continue to help me along.”