Assistant Professor
Sharifa Chowdhury is a researcher and practitioner in English Language Teaching (ELT), currently pursuing a PhD in Education at the University of Leeds, UK. She joined the Department of Language at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University as a Lecturer in December 2018. With an MA in TESOL Studies from the University of Leeds and an MA in Applied Linguistics and ELT from the University of Dhaka, her academic background bridges global perspectives with local relevance. Since 2015, she has been engaged in tertiary-level education, with her professional trajectory marked by an ongoing commitment to reflective teaching, scholarly inquiry, and the advancement of equitable educational practices. Sharifa regularly publishes in peer-reviewed journals, presents at academic conferences, and participates in professional development initiatives both at home and abroad. Her research interests span academic literacies, English for Specific Purposes (ESP), action research, curriculum and materials development, interdisciplinary studies, sociolinguistics, and quality education aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Deeply committed to contributing to the educational development of Bangladesh, she remains intellectually curious, open to new ideas, and eager to collaborate across disciplines to foster meaningful and sustainable change.
| Degree Name | Subject/Specialization | Institute | Passing Year | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | Education | School of Education, University of Leeds | 2023 | The United Kingdom |
| Master of Arts (equivalent to BD Mphil degree) | Teaching English to the Speakers of Other Languages | School of Education, University of Leeds | 2021 | The United Kingdom |
| Master of Arts | Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching | Department of English, University of Dhaka | 2013 | Bangladesh |
| Bachelor of Arts (Honors) | English | Department of English, University of Dhaka | 2012 | Bangladesh |
| Title | Organization | Location | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | Department of Language, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University | Dhaka, Bangladesh | 2020/12/27 | Present |
| Lecturer | Department of Language, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University | Dhaka, Bangladesh | 2018/12/27 | 2020/12/27 |
| Lecturer | Department of English, Southeast University | Dhaka, Bangladesh | 2016/01/20 | 2018/12/27 |
| Lecturer | BRAC Institute of Languages , BRAC University | Dhaka, Bangladesh | 2015/01/05 | 2016/01/19 |
| Student Mentor | Department of English, University of Dhaka | Dhaka, Bangladesh | 2014/09/01 | 2015/02/28 |
| Sl | Journal Article | Year | Type | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Refining Qualitative Methods for ESL Academic Literacy Research: Reflections from a Pilot Study in Bangladesh | 2026 | Journal Article | Link |
| 2 | Chowdhury, S. and Chowdhury, S. Y. 2025. Reassessing English proficiency: implications of English as a lingua franca for language testing in South Asia. Global Scientific and Academic Research Journal of Education and Literature. 3(7), pp.26-31. ISSN: 2583-7966 https://gsarpublishers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GSARJEL592025-Gelary-script.pdf | 2025 | Journal Article | Link |
| 3 | Chowdhury, S., Rahman, M. N., & Mazgutova, D. 2024. International Postgraduate Students’ Perceptions of Learning Difficulties and Their Impact on Academic Performance in British Universities. Studies in Educational Management, 15, 20-34. | 2024 | Journal Article | Link |
| 4 | Rahman, M. N., Chowdhury, S., and McCray, D. 2024. Undergraduate students’ voices on the role of tutorial-based dialogic feedback in developing academic writing skills. Feedback Research in Second Language. 2, pp.1-8. | 2024 | Journal Article | Link |
| 5 | Rahman, N., Chowdhury. S. & Mazgutova, D. 2023. Rethinking Teaching Listening Skills: A Case Study. Language Teaching Research Quarterly, 33 (Special Issue), Pp.176-190. | 2023 | Journal Article | Link |
| 6 | Chowdhury, S., Chowdhury, S. Y., Hossain, M. A., & Tabassum, T. 2023. Absence of ESP Teachers' Training in the STEM Major Universities in Bangladesh: Perceived problems and possible solutions. IJRAR - International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews (IJRAR), 10(4), 53-60. E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138, | 2023 | Journal Article | Link |
| 7 | Chowdhury, S. 2022. Teachers' Perceptions Towards the Role of Ice-Breaking Activities in Teaching English at the University Level. Journal of ELT and Education, 5(1), Pp.06-11. (PDF) Teachers' Perceptions Towards the Role of Ice-Breaking Activities in Teaching English at the University Level. | 2022 | Journal Article | Link |
| 8 | Hossain, M. A., Chowdhury, S., Nessa, M., Chowdhury, S. Y., & Tabassum, T. 2021. Effectiveness of the Practical English Language Programme as a Part of ESP for the Students of Agricultural Universities: A Case Study in Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University. Journal of Sustainable Learning and Development, 1(1),Pp. 27-34. | 2021 | Journal Article | Link |
| 9 | Chowdhury, S. January & July 2020. Warm up Activities to Enhance Learning in English Language Classroom: Perspectives of Agriculture Students, Journal of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, 11 (1& 2), pp.53-57. | 2020 | Journal Article | Link |
| 10 | Chowdhury, S. and Reza, F. 2018.Teaching writing to non-natives in research class: interdisciplinary scope of ELT. Southeast University Journal of English Department, Vol.3, Issue 1, pp.60-71. | 2018 | Journal Article | Link |
| 11 | Chowdhury,S. and Ahmed, I. 2018. Unheard voices of Bangladeshi novice ELT practitioners. Teachers Helping Teachers (THT), Vol. 6, Issue 1, pp. 79-86. | 2018 | Journal Article | Link |
| 12 | Chowdhury,S. 2016. Investigating undergraduate students’ academic listening skills: an insight into Bangladeshi public universities, Teachers Helping Teachers (THT), Vol. 4, pp. 69-87. | 2016 | Journal Article | Link |
| 13 | Chowdhury, S. and Reza,F.2016.Teaching English for professional purposes to the emerging millennials of Bangladesh, Teachers Helping Teachers (THT), Vol. 4,pp. 116-134. | 2016 | Journal Article | Link |
| Sl | Conferences | Year | Type | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Presented a research paper titled “Ensuring Quality Education through the Usage of ICT in English Classroom: Google Classroom at Tertiary Level” at the IER National Conference on Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Bangladesh: Educational Responses, Challenges and Possibilities . | 2018 | Conference | Link |
| 2 | Presented a paper titled “Pros and Cons of DEWS Mentoring Program: Nature of Problems, Strengths and Challenges” in the INSPIRE DEWS International Conference: Inspire to Write, held in the University of Dhaka | 2014 | Conference | Link |
| Sl | Book Chapter | Year | Type | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafique, R., Mushtary, P., Chowdhury, S., Rahman, M. R. and Rahman, N.2015. Pros and cons of DEWS mentoring program: nature of problems, strengths and challenges, PROCEEDINGS: INSPIRE DEWS ,Department of English, University of Dhaka, pp. 59-86. | 2015 | Book Chapter | Link |
| Sl | Others | Year | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Invited as a Guest Speaker to present one of my research articles at a Symposium organized by the School of Education at the University of Leeds, the UK on 31 January 2024 | 2024 | Others |
| 2 | Invited as a Guest Speaker to present my MA dissertation (which received Distinction) tilted “The Impact of the academic literacies of British universities on academic achievements of Asian students studying on postgraduate programmes in the UK” in the Dissertation Inspiration Symposium organized by the School of Education at the University of Leeds, the UK on 28 October 2021 | 2021 | Others |
| 3 | Presented a paper titled “Unheard Voices of Bangladeshi Novice ELT Teachers” in an in-house seminar of English Department, Southeast University and received certificate | 2016 | Others |
| 4 | Presented a critical review of a paper from English Teaching Forum in an in-house seminar of BRAC Institute of Languages, BRAC University | 2015 | Others |
| 5 | Conducted a workshop on "Group Process: A Technique to Facilitate Students' Speaking Skill in Classroom " at BRAC Institute of Languages of BRAC University | 2015 | Others |
| Student | Degree | Year | Title | Role |
|---|
| Sl | Professional | Type | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dhaka University Alumni Association | Professional | 2023 | Life time |
| 2 | IATEFL Membership | Professional | 2023 | Associate membership |
| 3 | Life Time Member of BELTA (Bangladesh English Language Teachers Association | Professional | 2016 | Life time |
| Sl | Others | Type | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alumnus of University of Leeds, the UK | Others | 2021 | present |
| 2 | Alumnus of the Department of English, University of Dhaka | Others | 2013 | present |
| Sl | Achievements | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Received University of Leeds Bursary to pursue PhD in Education from the School of Education, University of Leeds, the UK | Scholarship | 2023 |
| 2 | Awarded International Excellence Scholarship from the School of Education, University of Leeds, the UK for pursuing MA TESOL Studies | Scholarship | 2021 |
| 3 | Received Merit Award from the English Department Alumni Society, University of Dhaka for achieving the 2nd merit position in M.A. | Award | 2016 |
| 4 | Awarded and certified by the Department of English, University of Dhaka as an outstanding student mentor | Award | 2016 |
| 5 | Received scholarship for B.A. (Hons) result | Scholarship | 2012 |
| 6 | Received Board scholarship for H.S.C. result | Scholarship | 2008 |
| 7 | Received Board scholarship for S.S.C. result | Scholarship | 2006 |
| Others | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Worked as a committee member of Intermediate English Language course and Advanced English Language course designing committee of Southeast University in 2018 and 2019 |
| 2 | Facilitated Book reading Competition run by British Council in Southeast University in 2016 |
| 3 | Worked as a Facilitator of the Adda in English Program run by Department of English, Southeast University in 2017 |
| 4 | Arranged a student-seminar in association with SEU Language Club for “English for Engineers” course to present their research paper in 2017 |
| 5 | Worked as a Moderator of Southeast University Language Club in 2016 |
| 6 | Attended IQAC workshop on “Role, Responsibilities and Ethical Principles of University Teachers” held on 23rd May, 2017 at Southeast University |
| 7 | Attended a two-day long workshop titled “How to find a research problem” and “how to write a research proposal” at Southeast University, 2016 |
| 8 | Certified from the English language Teacher Development Programme titled “ Use of Technology in the ESL Classroom” organized by BELTA(Bangladesh English Language Teachers Association) in collaboration with the English Department, Southeast University and American Center, US Embassy, Dhaka, held on 7th May, 2016 |
| 9 | Certified from the workshop titled “Assessment for Learning” conducted by British Council, on 19th February, 2016 in Dhaka |
| 10 | Attended Lecture series on “Ethics in Teaching & Research “ on 26th July, 2018 at Southeast University |
| 11 | Certified from IQAC 5 days long training program on “ Teaching-Learning , Curriculum and Quality Assurance” held from 29 July to 1st August and 9th August , 2018 at Southeast University. |
| 12 | Attended a training-workshop on ‘Scientific Writing and Publication’ arranged by Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Research System (SAURES) in July 2019. |
| 13 | Attended training on 'Career Development in Teaching and Research' arranged by the IQAC of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in November, 2019. |
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