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portrait of J. Perry Christensen

Perry Christensen

Associate Professor
Faculty of Religious Education, Faculty of Education & Social Work

Like Nephi, Brother Christensen was born of goodly parents in the great state of Utah. He spent part of his early youth in Tonga, where his father was mission president. As he grew in the gospel, Brother Christensen had a desire to serve a mission. He served in the Russian Program of the Oregon Portland mission. After his mission, he spent a semester studying at BYU Jerusalem. Upon his return, he majored in Russian and minored in Hebrew at the University of Utah. He also graduated from the LDS Institute of Religion, where he took several biblical Hebrew classes. Through divine providence, Brother Christensen ended up at BYU-Hawaii in 1988; first as a student and then as a teacher. It was here he met his wife, married in the temple, got a job, earned a few more academic degrees, and raised his family of six children. Brother Christensen currently teaches in the EIL program, the TESOL program, and a sheltered Religion class for EIL students. He truly sees the Lord’s hand in his life..

TEACHING EXPERIENCE


2014-Present Associate Professor, Brigham Young University–Hawaii
2011 Granted Continuing Faculty Status (CFS), Brigham Young University–Hawaii
 2010-2014 Assistant Professor, Brigham Young University–Hawaii
 2003-2010 EIL Senior Lecturer, Brigham Young University–Hawaii
1996-1998 ELI In-Country Coordinator, Samoa, Brigham Young University–Hawaii / Church Schools Samoa, Pesega, Samoa
1992-1993  ELI In-Country Coordinator, Tonga, Brigham Young University–Hawaii /
Church Schools Tonga, Liahona, Tonga
1991-2003 ELI/EIL Lecturer, Brigham Young University–Hawaii
1989-1991 Special Instructor, Brigham Young University–Hawaii

 

OTHER EXPERIENCE


1989-1991 TV Studio Cameraman and Editor, Brigham Young University–Hawaii
1985-1988 Foreman/President, Innovative Lawn Technology, SLC, UT
1977-1982 Crew/Supervisor, Christensen Brothers Cleaning, SLC, UT

AWARDS


Faculty Recognition Stipend for 2014-2015. Recognition award given by the BYUH Vice President for Academics
 Faculty Recognition Stipend for 2010-2011. Recognition award given by the BYUH Vice President for Academics and the Dean of the College of Human Development.

 EDUCATION


EdD California Coast University , 2001Dissertation: A Computer-Aided Analysis of Holistically Scored ESL Writing Placement Exams, Advisor: Dr. Linda B. Smith, Ed.D.
MBA Hawaii Pacific University, 1994
Thesis: Alternative Natural Energy Sources for the Individual Household Residing in the Kingdom of Tonga, Advisor: Dr. Meilani Kanekoa
BA University of Utah, Russian Major/Hebrew Minor/2 yrs of Modern Greek, 1989
Other CARLA Summer Institutes, Second Language Acquisition: Basics for Teachers, July 28 – August 1, 2003  
Brigham Young University–Hawaii, 2 semesters of Tongan, 1 semester of ASL, General Education, Business courses before starting MBA, also attended Kihoalu and Steel Drum classes, 1988 – present  
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Institutes of Religion, Certificate of Graduation, 1988, Several Biblical Hebrew Classes with Edward J. Brandt
Brigham Young University, Semester Abroad in Israel, Fall 1984    

 

PUBLICATIONS

 
Christensen, Perry (May. 2024), A Personal Interpretation of the 2024 Hawai’i TESOL Conference. The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 33 (3), 7.

  Christensen, Perry (Feb. 2024), Hawai’i TESOL’s 2024 Practical Workshop. The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 33 (2), 7.  

Christensen, Perry (Sept. 2023), Hawai’i TESOL’s 2023 Language Experience: Live from Ukraine. The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 33 (1), 7.  

Christensen, J. Perry (2023), A Writing Picnic. English Teaching Forum 2023, Volume 61, Number 2.https://americanenglish.state.gov/resources/writing-picnic  

Christensen, J. Perry (May. 2023), Hawai’i TESOL’s 2023 Conference Review. The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 31(3), 5.  

Christensen, Perry and Green, Brent (Mar. 2023), Using an LMS Sandbox in Preservice Training, On CALL: The Newsletter of the Computer Assisted Language Learning Interest Section of TESOL International, http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/tesolcallis/issues/2023-02-27/3.html

  Christensen, J. Perry (May. 2022), Hawai’i TESOL’s 2nd Virtual Annual Conference. The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 31(3), 5.  

Christensen, J. Perry (Feb. 2022), Escape Pandemica. The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 31(2), 5.  

Christensen, J. Perry (Sept. 2021), 2021 Language Experience: Filipino. The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 31(1), 6.  

Christensen, J. Perry, Green, B. (2021), Hawai`i TESOL’s 1st Virtual Annual Conference. The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 30(3), 5-6.  

Christensen, P., Reilley, E., Court, T., & Rollins, M. (2018), The Online Participants’ View of Hawai’i TESOL’s 2018 Language Experience. The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 28(1), 16-17.  

Christensen, J. Perry (2018) Partnership Information & News From Hawaii Tesol. TESOL-Ukraine Newsletter, No. 1. Spring 2018, 19. (No credit given for my conference summary which originally appeared on the Hawaii TESOL website and for the photos I took and uploaded to the Hawaii TESOL Facebook page.)  

Christensen, J. Perry (2018), My Life is Realia. The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 27(2), 19.  

Christensen, Perry (2017), Brightly Storms. Kula Manu 2017, The Department of English, Brigham Young University – Hawaii, 35. (Poetry)  

Christensen, Perry (2017), Techno Time on Task: a Reflective Piece between Learning a Musical Instrument and Learning a Language. The Key: BYUH TESOL Journal, Feb 2017 (1), 33-34.  

Christensen, J. Perry (2015), Music in My Students’ Shoes. The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 25(1), 3-4.  

Christensen, J. Perry (2014), So You Graduated! Got a Job! Do You Know it All? The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 23(2), 2.  

Christensen, J. Perry (2012), Retrograde Recalibration The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 21(2), 9.  

Christensen, J. Perry (2010), The Marked Paper Dilemma The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 19(2), 5.  

Christensen, J. Perry (2009), Book review of English for Tourism and Hospitality (Hans Mol, Garnet Publishing Ltd., 2008) in the TESL Reporter, 42(1), 76-77. 32352_TESL_v42_i1_2009.pdf  

Christensen, J. Perry (2007), eTraining: Instruction at Your Finger Tips The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 16(2), 8.  

Christensen, J. Perry (2006), A Review of WiAOC 2005. The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 15(2), 8-9.  

Christensen, J. Perry (2004), Book review of Treatment of Error in Second Language Student Writing (Dana R. Ferris, The University of Michigan Press, 2002) in the TESL Reporter, 37(1), 70-71. 32539_TESL_v37_i1_2004.pdf  

Christensen, Perry (2004) Third Annual Hawaii TESOL/TESOL Ukraine Convention Get-together. The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 13(1), 7.  

Christensen, Perry (2003) My Summer at CARLA. The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 12(1), 2, 5.

Christensen, J. Perry (2002), Understanding and Conducting a Successful Presentation. Guidelines: a magazine for language teachers, 24(2), 23-28.

Christensen, J. Perry (2002), From Whence Cometh Thou, Hawaii TESOL? The Word: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 12(1), 1-2, 4-5.  

Christensen, J. Perry (2002), From Whence Cometh Thou, Hawaii TESOL? Newsletter: TESOL-Ukraine, 8(2), 7-8.

Christensen, J. Perry (2001), Software review of MICROGRADE in Teaching English with Technology: A Journal for Teachers of English, 2001, online at http://www.iatefl.org.pl/call/j_soft5.htm or http://www.tewtjournal.org/?wpdmact=process&did=NTEuaG90bGluaw  

Christensen, J. Perry (2000), You’ve Got Ejunk Mail. THE WORD: Newsletter of Hawaii TESOL, 10(2), 2,3,7.  

Christensen, J. Perry (1999), Class Parties: Making Them Part of the Curriculum. TESL REPORTER, 32(1), 31-34. 3648_TESL_v32_i1_1999.pdf    

Christensen, J. Perry (1993), Writing by Example: The Prose Models Approach Revisited. TESL Reporter, 26(2), 65 -67 3516_TESL_v26_i2_1993.pdf    

 

EIL/TESOL PRESENTATIONS


Using Google docs, slides, and sheets in the classroom. Hawaii TESOL Fall Practical Workshop, Tue. Dec. 6, 2022. Online to TESOL professionals across Hawaii.

 The LMS sandbox: A new dimensional preservice teacher tool. Hawaii TESOL Virtual Conference 2022, Sat. Feb. 19, 2022. Online to a worldwide audience.

 Grading: Is an “A” really an “A”? Are you sure?  Hawaii TESOL Annual Conference, Sat. Feb. 15, 2020 at Leeward Community College, Oahu, Hawaii.

 Facebook Live Fridays (Fall 2019). Perry Christensen (leader), Brent Green and Tom Court along with some guest speakers mostly coming from the School of Education. We directed, produced and took part in a series of 10 twenty minute-ish panel discussions streamed on Facebook to both our closed BYU-Hawaii TESOL Alumni page and our open TESOL Society page. Our broadcasts were seen around the world during the Fall semester of 2019. View counts as of Jan. 17, 2020.

1. Fri-Sep-13 Learner Motivation w/ Ammon Wilcken (Views: 99 Alumni and
?? Tesol Society, the video on the Tesol Society page kept turning
off)
2. Fri-Sep-20 The Learner as a Doer w/ John Bailey (Views: 80 Alumni and 64
Tesol Society)
3. Fri-Sep-27 Negotiating Meaning w/ Jon Shute (Views: 79 Alumni and 52
Tesol Society)
4. Fri-Oct-4 The Language of Questions w/ Carol Bennett (Views: 73 Alumni
and 70 Tesol Society)
5. Fri-Oct-11 Attending to the Learner w/ Barbara Hong (Views: 73 Alumni an
467 Tesol Society)
6. Fri-Oct-18 Teacher Meta-Language w/ Leola Solis (Views: 41 Alumni and 48 Tesol Society)
7. Fri-Oct-25 Learning Outcomes w/ Mark Wolfersberger (Views: 54 Alumni and 59 Tesol Society)
8. Fri-Nov-1 Checking for Learning w/ Karen Latham (Views: 35 Alumni and 49 Tesol Society)
9. Fri-Nov-8 Error Feedback (Views: 69 Alumni and 32 Tesol Society)
10. Fri-Nov-15 Sefl-Directed Learning w/ Nancy Tarawhiti (Views: 45 Alumni and 85 Tesol Society)

Facebook Live Fridays: The Alumni Connection. Presented at the Hawaii TESOL Annual Conference, Heber J. Grant Building, BYU-Hawaii, Feb. 16, 2019. https://www.facebook.com/TESOLHawaii/videos/2264362593835533/ (3 days later on Feb. 19, 2019, we already had 65 views which is a lot more than the 12 people who came to our session)

 Facebook Live Fridays (Fall 2018). Perry Christensen (leader), Brent Green and Tom Court along with some guest speakers. We directed, produced and took part in a series of 11 twenty minute-ish panel discussions streamed on Facebook to over 383 BYU-Hawaii TESOL alumni around the world during the Fall semester of 2018.

1. Fri-Sep-7 First Day of Class Activities (242 views, 22 comments)
2. Fri-Sep-14 Personal Development - Ways to Keep Current (155 views, 15
comments)
3. Fri-Sep-21 Teaching Listening Ideas (162 views, 16 comments)
4. Fri-Sep-28 Teaching Writing Ideas w/ Nancy Tarawhiti (123 views, 13
comments)
5. Fri-Oct-5 Teaching Speaking Ideas (122 views, 4 comments)
6. Fri-Oct-12 Teaching Vocabulary Ideas w/ Stephen Carter and Ronnie Wrigh
(125 views, 35 comments)
7. Fri-Oct-19 Teaching Grammar w/ Mark Wolfersberger (152 views, 18 comments)
8. Fri-Oct-26 Teaching Reading Ideas w/ Neil Anderson (119 views, 17 comments)
9. Fri-Nov-2 Holidays & Culture (86 views, 6 comments)
10. Fri-Nov-16 The Best Part of Teaching/Giving Thanks w/ Mark James (Two Parts: 70 & 124 views, 3 & 13 comments)
11. Fri-Nov-30 Technology in the Classroom w/ Paul Rama (72 views, 1 comment)

Language Music.
BYU-Hawaii TESOL Mini-Conference, Thur. Oct. 19, 2017 in ACR 155-165, BYUH.
 
It’s Better with a Computer. BYU-Hawaii TESOL Mini-Conference, Wed. Dec. 2, 2015 in ACR 155-165, BYUH. https://pctesol.weebly.com/

  In-Class Deep Device Engagement. BYU-Hawaii Symposium On Learning and Teaching: Fostering Deep Learning, Presented with Mark Wolfersberger.  Feb. 19-21, 2015, Heber J. Grant Building, BYU-Hawaii.  

IT’s Here! Let’s Use IT! Hawaii TESOL Annual Conference, Presented with Mark Wolfersberger. Sat. Feb. 14, 2015 at BYUH.  

Journey to Paperless. BYU-Hawaii TESOL Mini-Conference, Wed. Nov. 6th, 2013 in MCK 153, BYUH.  

Timers in the Classroom. Hawaii TESOL Online Workshop. Presented at BYUH, KCC, HPU, HCC, and UH Manoa, Dec. 1, 2011. See write up by Ivan Lui in the February 2012 edition of The Word. http://hawaiitesol.wildapricot.org/Resources/Documents/Word/2012%20Feb.pdf  

Keep it Moving, BYU–Hawaii TESOL Mini-Conference, Oct. 12th, 2011 in ACR 155-165.  

Keeping a Log, QSLing, Contests, Awards, and Nets. Statewide LDS ham radio conference March 6, 2010 BYU–Hawaii  

Tackling Technology. BYU–Hawaii TESOL Mini-Conference, Wed. Oct. 14th, 2009 in ACR 155-165.  

From Humdrum Drama to the Battle (Video Theatre Session). Presented with Aubrey Olsen for 2009 TESOL in Denver. Though I wasn’t able to attend, I was there with Aubrey in spirit and on the video. All Aubrey had to do was push play and answer a few questions.  

iPods: Shuffling the Way We Teach. Presented at Webheads in Action Online Convergence 2007, Worldwide Online, 2007  

Video iPods and the ESL Listening Class. Presented with Hitokazu Matsushita (BA TESOL Student Associateship) at TESOL 2007, Seattle , WA , 2007  

Engaging in Assessment Reform. Presented with Amanda Peeni for Maureen Andrade at TESOL 2007, Seattle , WA 2007  

iPods: Shuffling the Way We Teach. Presented with Melanie McKinney and Hitokazu Matsushita at the Hawaii TESOL Annual Conference, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Webster Hall, 2007  

Technology Skills for Current and Future ESL Teachers. Presented at the Hawaii TESOL Annual Conference, Kapiolani Community College, Honolulu, HI, 2006  

Intriguing Terminology. Presented with Lorraine Lucrecio at the Hawaii TESOL Annual Conference, BYU–Hawaii, Laie, HI, 2005  

Tips and Techs for the One Computer Teacher. Presented at the SouthWest Association for Language Learning Technology (SWALLT) Conference, BYU-Hawaii, Laie, HI, 2004  

Catch the Meaning of a Grade. Poster presented at TESOL 2004 at the 36th Annual International Convention of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Long Beach, CA, 2004  

Barbecuing for Success. Presented at the Hawaii TESOL Annual Conference, Leeward Community College, Pearl City, HI, 2004  

Grading: Manipulating the Numbers. Poster presented at the Hawaii TESOL Annual Conference, Windward Community College, Kaneohe, HI, 2002  

The Human Spirit of Revelry and Language. Presented at TESOL 2002 at the 36th Annual International Convention of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Salt Lake City, UT, 2002  

Hands-on with Grading Software. Presented at Hawaii TESOL’s 2001 TESOL Conference, University of Hawaii at Manoa, HI, 2001  

The Basic Benefits of Using Grading Software. Presented at the Hawaii TESOL Computer Workshop, Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu, HI, 2000  

It’s Party-Planning Time. Presented at Hawaii TESOL’s 2000 TESOL Roundtable, Hawaii Pacific University - Hawaii Loa Campus, Kaneohe, HI, 2000

Experiences in Samoa . Presented at Brigham Young University–Hawaii as an invited guest Lecturer, Laie, HI, 1997  

Teaching English in Polynesia: a short report on teaching ESL in Tonga. Presented to the BYUH TESL Society, Laie, HI, 1994  
 

RELIGIOUS PRESENTATIONS


Comparative Look at the Dedication and Rededication Prays of the Laie Hawaii Temple. 2019 Annual MPHS Conference. Sat. Nov. 16, 2019, Heber J. Grant Building, BYU–Hawaii

BYUH Devotional: Stories (Jan. 29, 2019)

 Indonesian Gospel Forum (Feb 18, 2018)

 Video Flashbacks to 1970: The Sons of a Mission President Reminisce. Mormon Pacific Historical Society 2016 Conference “Tongan Mission Centennial”. Sat. Oct. 3, 2016, Heber J. Grant Building, BYU–Hawaii. (Including content on Tonga ELI)
 Indonesian Gospel Forum (Aug 18, 2013)
Hong Kong Gospel Forum (May 2013)
 Latin Gospel Forum, (Aug 15, 2010)
Indonesian Gospel Forum (Jan 17, 2010)

 Steel Band Scores Arranged and Performed:
(Cross-field research into the creative process and multiple drafts)

When the Sun Goes Down - Arranged by J. Perry Christensen and Performed by Shaka Steel, BYUH Winter Concert 2024

 Mele Kalikimaka – Arranged by J. Perry Christensen and Performed by Shaka Steel, BYUH Winter 2015-16 (December Christmas Concert)

 Shut Up and Dance - Arranged by J. Perry Christensen and Performed by Shaka Steel, BYUH Fall & Spring Concerts 2015

 Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride – Arranged by J. Perry Christensen and Performed by Shaka Steel, BYUH Spring Tour, Spring Concert, and Summer Concert 2015

COURSES TAUGHT


ELI 101 - Reading
ELI 101 - Speaking
ELI 101 - Writing
EIL 102 - Listening
ELI 102 - Reading
ELI 102 - Writing
ELI 103 - Listening
ELI 103 - Reading
ELI 103 - Speaking
ELI 103 - Writing
ELI 104 - Reading
ELI 104 - Reading (Adjunct Econ. 110)
ELI 104 - Speaking
 EIL 201 - The International Student in the University
EIL 213 - Intermediate I Listening/Speaking
EIL 217 - Intermediate I Writing
EIL 218 - Intermediate I Grammar
EIL 219 - Intermediate I Reading
EIL 223 - Intermediate II Listening/Speaking
EIL 225 - Intermediate II Church Language
EIL 227 - Intermediate II Writing
EIL 228 - Intermediate II Grammar
EIL 229 - Intermediate II Reading
EIL 310 - Academic English I
EIL 313 - Advanced I Listening/Speaking
EIL 317 - Advanced I Writing
EIL 319 - Advanced I Reading
EIL 320 - Academic English II

CV Last Revised, June 13 2024
 

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Perry Christensen
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