Azlifa Ahmed is an applied linguist and educator with extensive experience in English language teaching, teacher education, and linguistics. She holds an MA in Applied Linguistics (English Language) from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a Bachelor of Education in Education and Literature/Language from the University of the South Pacific, Fiji. Since entering tertiary-level education in 2001, she has held various academic positions, ranging from lecturer to Dean, at institutions including Maldives National University, Qatar University, and MIANZ College.

Her areas of expertise include applied linguistics, English language teaching, phonetics and phonology, and language education. Her current research interests focus particularly on the phonetics and phonology of Dhivehi and the influence of English on the Dhivehi language. She has published research on ESL listening comprehension and contributed to academic publications and course development. Her achievements include the Maldives President’s Award for outstanding academic achievement overseas and Gold Medals for outstanding graduating student in both Education and Linguistics from the University of the South Pacific.

2003 – 2004 Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

1997 – 1999 Bachelor of Education (Education & Literature / Language)
The University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji

1996 – 1996 Certificate of Teaching (Middle School) English and Social Studies.
Institute for Teacher Education, Male’, Republic of Maldives

1994 Cambridge Examination in English for Language Teachers (level II)

1993 – 1994 Cambridge Examination in English for Language Teachers (level I)

1992 – 1993 Certificate of Proficiency in English (University of Cambridge)

1981 – 1990 London G. C. E Ordinary Level – six passes
Aminiya School, Male’, Republic of Maldives

Phonetics & Phonology of Dhivehi

From Information Literacy to AI Literacy: Rethinking Higher Education in the Age of Generative AI in Small Island Developing States. A conceptual paper presented at Theveli Conference and accepted for publication in The Maldives National Journal of Research (MNJR)

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Phonetics & Phonology
Prose in Literature
Academic English
Discourse Analysis

From Information Literacy to AI Literacy: Rethinking Higher Education in the Age of Generative AI in Small Island Developing States. A conceptual paper presented at Theveli Conference and accepted for publication in The Maldives National Journal of Research (MNJR)

Dec 2005 Effect of Background Knowledge on Performance on ESL Listening Comprehension Tests
(Adapted from thesis for MA Applied Linguistics at the University of Melbourne, Australia)
Fanaaru 2005. Vol. No.

Apr 2004 Rev. of Planning aims and objectives in language programs
by Jack C Richards: RELC Portfolio Series (No. 5)
Prospectus: An Australian Journal of TESOL. Vol. 19, No. 1

Apr 2004 Rev. of Planning lessons for a reading class
by Thomas F C Farrell: RELC Portfolio Series (No. 6)
Prospectus: An Australian Journal of TESOL. Vol. 19, No. 1

Apr 2004 Rev. of Action research in Action
Edited by Gregory Hadley: RELC Portfolio Series (No. 8)
Prospectus: An Australian Journal of TESOL. Vol. 19, No. 1

none in Maldives currently

Presenter at Theveli 2026

2012 Quality Teaching through Self Evaluation
Presentation
Oman International ELT Conference

2011 Seven Fun Critical Thinking Activities for the ESL Classroom
Presentation
Qatar TESOL 2011

2010 Re-fuelling the fun in ESL/EFL Classrooms
Presentation
TESOL Arabia 2010

TESOL Arabia

2005 (Maldives) President’s Award
Achievement of outstanding results at an overseas institute

1999 Gold Medal – outstanding graduating student with a major in Education.
The University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji

1999 Gold Medal – outstanding graduating student with a major in Linguistics
The University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji

1996 First Place – Certificate of Teaching (Middle School) English and Social studies
Institute of Teacher Education, Male’, Republic of Maldives

Translation of documents (freelance) from English to Dhivehi and vice versa for various persons/organizations