John P. Lesko

Dr. John P. Lesko is a Professor and Program Director for TESOL Programs at Colorado Christian University (CCU), within the College of Adult and Graduate Studies – School of Education Professions. He joined CCU in 2019, bringing over two decades of international and interdisciplinary experience in applied linguistics, teacher education, and workforce training.

Educational Background:

• Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics, University of Edinburgh, Scotland
• M.A. in Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language, Bowling Green State University
• B.S. in Communications, Pensacola Christian College
• B.A. in English, Pensacola Christian College

Dr. Lesko's research and professional work focus on TESOL, cross-cultural communication, educational assessment, e-learning, and refugee and immigrant education. His career spans academic institutions, military training centers, and corporate environments across the U.S., Canada, South Korea, France, UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. As a Fulbright Scholar and educational consultant, he has contributed to teacher development, program evaluation, and curriculum design.

His recent publications reflect a strong trend toward alternative assessment methods, digital learning tools, and sociocultural dimensions of language education. Topics include portfolio assessment, e-learning platforms, cross-cultural impoliteness, and the use of Special English podcasts for independent learning. He has also contributed to major reference works on global education systems and academic integrity.

Professional Service and Recognition:

• Fulbright Scholar
• Active presenter at national and international TESOL and applied linguistics conferences
• Conducted teacher training workshops and program evaluations across diverse educational contexts
• Contributor to academic encyclopedias including World Education Encyclopedia and International Encyclopedia of Education

Dr. Lesko has advised on educational partnerships, corporate training programs, and policy development. His consulting work includes performance analysis, accreditation reviews, and TVET benchmarking studies. He has led initiatives in teacher training through programs such as the ESL Endorsement and TESOL Certification at Saginaw Valley State University.

While no formal lab or research team is mentioned, his collaborative projects—such as the SVSU-Flint partnership and co-authored entries on Gulf education systems—demonstrate a commitment to team-based educational research and development.