Michael Lessard-Clouston

Michael Lessard-Clouston served full-time at Biola from 2005 to 2024, first as an associate professor of applied linguistics and TESOL in Cook School of Intercultural Studies and in later years as a professor of TESOL in the School of Education. His final role involved directing the M.A. TESOL program, and he was grateful to be able to see all Biola students who wished to finish their TESOL programs complete them by May 2026, until which time he taught as an adjunct at Biola. He always aimed to help equip students for a variety of careers that address language-related issues, drawing upon his education at the University of Toronto, Tyndale Seminary, and York University. Before coming to Biola, he served for 10.5 years as a professor of English and Language Education at Kwansei Gakuin University in Nishinomiya, Japan. His doctoral work was on second language education and literacy, and he serves on the review boards for the Japan Journal of Multilingualism and Multiculturalism and TESL Canada Journal. Lessard-Clouston was also founding editor of the International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching. Among his publications are two books published by TESOL Press: Teaching Vocabulary (2021) and Second Language Acquisition Applied to English Language Teaching (1998). He taught for two months at Universitas Pelita Harapan, in Karawaci, Indonesia, and enjoys music, Sunday afternoons, traveling, swimming, and reading.