Dr Divya John is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at Shiv Nadar University Chennai with twenty-two years of teaching and research experience. Dr. John holds an MA in English Language and Literature from the University of Calicut, Kerala. She qualified the UGC-NET in Dec 2000, and secured the Postgraduate Certificate in the Teaching of English (PGCTE) with distinction from CIEFL, Hyderabad, in 2004. She completed PhD in English Language and Literature from the University of Calicut, Jan 2008. Dr. John joined the Dept of English, SSN College of Engineering, on 3 Jan 2007 and served as the Head of the Dept of English at SSN for 5 years (7 Mar 2008 to 31 Mar 2013). Dr John is a recognized PhD Supervisor in the Faculty of Science and Humanities of Anna University, Chennai. She has successfully guided two doctoral scholars, and currently guiding four scholars. She presented 55 papers in (inter)national conferences and published 30 papers in (inter)national journals focusing on ELT and Literature. Dr. John published 27 poems in national and international journals, anthologies and websites. Her poems, “Love Rewritten” & “A Criss-Cross of Cuts” were shortlisted at the All India Poetry Competition organized by The Poetry Society (India) in 2015 & 2017. She has published two collections of her poems, Whispers Within (May 2009) and Crisscross Cantos (Feb 2019).

Work Experience

• 1 July 2026 to date, Associate Professor, Dept of English, Shiv Nadar University Chennai, India
• 1 Apr 2021 to 30 June 2026, Associate Professor, Dept of English, SSN, Chennai, India
• 1 Apr 2016 to 31 Mar 2021, Assistant Professor (8000 Grade Pay), Dept of English, SSN, Chennai 
• 1 Oct 2009 to 31 Mar 2016, Assistant Professor (7000 Grade Pay), Dept of English, SSN, Chennai 
• 3 Jan 2007 to 30 Sep 2009, Lecturer, Dept of English, SSN, Chennai
• Lecturer, Department of English, St Mary’s College, and Vimala College, Thrissur, Kerala for a period of 2 years

Projects

Completed

1. The SSN Management sanctioned a project titled, “Developing a Computer-Assisted Reading Comprehension Test,” for Rs. 40, 000 for a period of 1 year, Nov 2019. PI – Dr. Divya John. CI – Dr. S. Sasirekha. Software Developers: Sneha Sriram Kannan, CSE and Siddharth Sriraman, CSE
2. The SSN Management sanctioned a project titled, “Designing a Listening Test for the English Classroom,” for Rs. 1, 50, 000 for a period of 6 months, Jan 2019. PI – Dr. Divya John. CI – Dr. S. Sasirekha. Software Developers: Sneha Sriram Kannan, CSE and Siddharth Sriraman, CSE

PhD Research Guidance

Completed

1. Venkateswara, U. Developing the Speaking Skills of the Engineering Students in the English Classroom. 2018. Anna University, PhD Dissertation.
2. Sandhiya Devi, G. Designing a Reading Course for Engineering Communication. 2023. Anna University, PhD Dissertation.

Ongoing

3. Suvedha, P. M. “Neuro-linguistic Programming in Enhancing the Second Language Acquisition of Engineering students.” Anna University, Part-time
4. Janet, G. “Enriching the Speaking Skills of Engineering Students through Scripted Dialogues.” Anna University, Part-time
5. Sharma, Ritu. “Empowering Engineering Students to Speak: Strategies and Solutions.” Anna University, Full-time
6. Sheema, S. “Encouraging Listening Skills to Enhance Engineering Communication: Setbacks and Solutions.” Anna University, Full-time

Publications

Academic Journals

1. Sandhiya Devi, G. And Divya John. “Teaching Reading Skills in the Indian Engineering Context: Challenges and Experiences.” Journal of College Reading and Learning, vol. 55, no. 1, Dec 2024, pp. 6-40. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10790195.2024.2437823.
2. John, Divya and Sandhiya Devi, G. “Reading-while-Listening at the Tertiary Level: Perceptions and Implications.” The Journal of Asia TEFL, vol. 20, no. 1, Mar 2023, pp. 147-156. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18823/asiatefl.2023.20.1.11.147.
3. John, Divya and Sandhiya Devi, G. “Reassessing Reading Strategies in the Engineering Classroom.” Reading Psychology, vol. 44, no. 4, Feb 2023, pp. 326-340. DOI: 10.1080/02702711.2022.2147610.
4. Sandhiya Devi, G. and Divya John. “Self-help Books to Master Reading Strategies.” Humanising Language Teaching (HLT), vol. 24, no.3, Jun 2022, pp. 1-6.
5. John, Divya. “Self-actualization in Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet.” Literary Voice, vol. 1, no. 17, Mar 2022, pp. 54-60.
6. John, Divya, and Sandhiya Devi, G. “Designing STEM Specific Student-Friendly Reading Content for the Engineering English Classroom.” IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, vol. 64, no. 4, Dec 2021, pp. 444-455. DOI: 10.1109/TPC.2021.3110419.
7. Venkateswara, U., and Divya John. “A Survey of the Speaking Components of an ESP Course: The Students’ Mindset.” MEXTESOL Journal, vol. 45, no. 1, Feb 2021, pp. 1-19.
8. John, Divya. “Extensive Listening-while-reading: A case study applying the Minimalist Approach” Argentinian Journal of Applied Linguistics, vol. 08, no. 02, Nov 2020, pp. 62-77.
9. John, Divya. “Ma’am, thank you for your ‘teach’”: Oral Reporting. RATE Issues: A biannual open-source peer-reviewed TEFL journal, no 24, Aug 2020.
10. John, Divya. “A Psycho-biographical Perspective of Kahlil Gibran’s The Broken Wings.” Literary Voice, vol. 1, no. 12, Mar 2020, pp. 102-109.
11. John, Divya. “The Activities Based on a Literary Text for an ESP Classroom.” Fortell: A Journal of Teaching English Language and Literature, no. 39, Jul 2019, pp. 39-45.
12. John, Divya. “‘Free Writing’ versus ‘Writing Fluency.’” The Journal of Asia TEFL, vol. 16, no. 1, Spring 2019, pp. 369-376.
13. Venkateswara, U., and Divya John. “Observing, Reflecting on and Redesigning English Classes.” The Teacher Trainer, vol. 33, no. 1, Mar 2019, pp. 23-25.
14. John, Divya. “Designing a Listening Activity: From the Known to the Unknown.” Humanising Language Teaching (HLT), vol. 20, no.3, Jun 2018, pp. 1-6.
15. John, Divya. “Learning LSRW Skills through Active Student-Involvement: Screening an Edited Film.” Teaching English with Technology: A Journal for Teachers of English (TEwT), vol. 18, no. 2, Apr 2018, pp. 115-128.
16. Venkateswara, U., and Divya John. “Integrating CLIL with CLT to Develop Speaking Skills in the Engineering Classroom.” ARTESOL ESP Journal, vol. 7, no. 1, Aug 2017, pp. 44-53.
17. John, Divya. “Employing Group Work to Foster Speaking Skills: A Study of Success and Failure in the Classroom.” MEXTESOL Journal, vol. 41, no. 3, Aug 2017, pp. 1-9.
18. John, Divya. “Introducing Free Writing to College Students to Enhance their Writing Skills.” Fortell: A Journal of Teaching English Language and Literature, no. 34, Jan 2017, pp. 25-32.
19. John, Divya. “Reading Matters: A Glimpse into the Engineering Learners’ Preferences for English.” Professional and Academic English: The Journal of the IATEFL ESP SIG, no. 48, Dec 2016, pp. 4-8.
20. Venkateswara, U., and Divya John. “Augmenting the Verbal Communication of Students by Changing their Learning Behaviour.” The English Classroom, vol. 18, no. 1, Jun 2016, pp. 61-77.
21. John, Divya. “Training the Dragon.” Voices, IATEFL 50th Anniversary Issue 1, no. 250, May-Jun 2016, pp. 3.
22. John, Divya. “E Activities and Language Learning.” TESOL-SPAIN Newsletter, vol. 35, no. 2, Oct 2011, pp. 12-14.
23. John, Divya. “Reinforced Language Tasks Using Video.” Modern English Teacher, vol. 19, no. 2, Apr 2010, pp. 25-28.
24. John, Divya. “Video and Language Activities.” Modern English Teacher, vol. 19, no. 1, Jan 2010, pp. 35-38.
25. John, Divya. “Fluency Practice in an Engineering Classroom.” The Journal of English Language Teaching [India] (The JELT), vol. 46, no. 1, Jan-Feb 2008, pp. 34-46.

Poetry Publications

Book of Poems Published

1. John, Divya. Crisscross Cantos. Kindle Direct Publishing Amazon, 2019. ISBN 9781797402437
2. John, Divya. Whispers Within. Writers Workshop, 2009. ISBN HB 9788181578471 FB 9788181578488.

Poems in Journals, Anthologies & Online Publications

1. John, Divya. “Happiness, A Choice.” The Gnosis: An International Journal of English language & Literature, vol. 5, no. 4, Jul 2019, pp. 275-276. ISSN 2394-0131
2. John, Divya. “Vanished in a Vampire World” & “The Covets of the Seasons.” Literary Yard, Web, 3 Oct 2018.
3. John, Divya. “A Criss-Cross of Cuts.” Poetry India – Shining Stars in the Night Sky: An Anthology of All India Poetry Competition 2017, The Poetry Society (India), Mar 2018, pp. 57-58.
4. John, Divya. “The Wishing Well” & “The Joke.” The Quest, vol. 31, no. 2, Dec 2017, pp. 111-112. ISSN 0971-2321
5. John, Divya. “I’m a Common Man” & “Towards the Grand-finale Accolade.” Lapis Lazuli, vol.7, no. 2, Autumn 2017, pp. 2-5. ISSN 2249-4529
6. John, Divya. “The (Re)Birth,” “The Lingering Pain,” “A Wo(e) Wave” & “Why Long for a Change?” Muse India, no. 75, Sept-Oct 2017. ISSN 0975-1815
7. John, Divya. “The Throes of a Poet’s Growth” & “Off or On the Track.” Journal of Teaching and Research in English Literature, vol. 8, no. 3, Jul-Sep 2017, pp. 41-42. ISSN 0975-8828
8. John, Divya. “Are there Takers?” The Criterion, vol. 8, no. 3, Jun 2017. ISSN 0976-8165
9. John, Divya. “Love Rewritten.” Poetry India – Voices in Shade and Sunshine: An Anthology of All India Poetry Competition 2015, The Poetry Society (India), Jan 2016, pp. 52-53.
10. John, Divya. “What I am,” “Hoodwinked to Hooded” & “Love.” com, Web, 23 Jan 2016.
11. John, Divya. “Sunsets and Sunrises” & “Testing Times.” Poemlets 15: The 2015 Collection, vol. 1, Dec 2015, pp. 25-26. (Sound Vision Media, ISBN-13: 978-0692581384)
12. John, Divya. “A Maze” & “A Parallel Universe.” The Journal of the Poetry Society (India), vol. 25, 2014, pp. 82-84.
13. John, Divya. “The EYE in I-ness,” “In or Out of the Online,” “Devoured Featherless” & “My Twinkling Grandma.” com, International Library of Poetry, Web, 2000-2002.

International Conferences

1. John, Divya. “AI Designed Speaking Tasks for Engineering Undergraduates.” 30th International Conference & Exhibition “Enhancing ELT: Empowering Learners in an AI Inclusive Era,” TESOL Conferences and American University in Dubai, Feb (7-8), 2026.
2. John, Divya; Sriram Kannan, Sneha; & Sasirekha, S. “Designing a Computer-based Listening Test for Engineering Learners in the English Classroom,” 2025 IEEE International Professional Communication Conference (ProComm), IEEE Professional Communication Society, University of Southern Denmark, Sønderborg, Denmark, Jul (20-23) 2025, pp. 192-198. DOI: 10.1109/ProComm64814.2025.00044.
3. John, Divya & Sheema, S. “The Role of Multimodal Features in Active Listening for Teamwork,” 2025 IEEE International Professional Communication Conference (ProComm), IEEE Professional Communication Society, University of Southern Denmark, Sønderborg, Denmark, Jul (20-23) 2025, pp. 204-211. DOI: 10.1109/ProComm64814.2025.00047
4. John, Divya & Sharma, Ritu. “Team Presentations in the Engineering Classroom: Challenges and Strategies,” 2025 IEEE International Professional Communication Conference (ProComm), IEEE Professional Communication Society, University of Southern Denmark, Sønderborg, Denmark, Jul (20-23) 2025, pp. 217-223. DOI: 10.1109/ProComm64814.2025.00049
5. John, Divya. “Collaborative Writing for Engineering Learners in India: From a Dormant to a Dynamic Skill,” 2024 IEEE International Professional Communication Conference (ProComm), IEEE Professional Communication Society, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, Jul (14-17) 2024, pp. 275-281. DOI: 10.1109/ProComm61427.2024.00061.
6. John, Divya. “Teaching and Evaluating Speaking in the Engineering Classroom.” The 56th International IATEFL Conference and Exhibition for English Language Teaching Professionals, International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL), Harrogate, United Kingdom, Apr (17-21), 2023.
7. John, Divya. “A Life-skills Course for Engineers to Acquire Communication Skills and Team Skills.” International Professional Communication Conference (IEEE PROCOMM 2022), IEEE Professional Communication Society, University of Limerick, Ireland, Jul (17-20), 2022, pp. 36- 41. DOI: 10.1109/ProComm53155.2022.00010

Awards and Honours

1. Nominated as a member of the Board of Studies for the courses offered by Department of English, Anna University, Chennai for a period of three years, Jul 2025
2. Appointed as a member of the Board of Studies in English, SRM Easwari Engineering College (Autonomous), Chennai, Jul 2019
3. Appointed as a member of the Board of Studies in English, Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur-9, Kerala, for a period of 2 years, Dec 2018
4. Appointed as a member of the Syllabus Sub Committee for English Courses of Anna University, Chennai (Regulation 2017), Oct 2016
5. Nominated as a member of the Board of Studies in the Faculty of Science and Humanities of Anna University of Technology, Chennai, Nov 2010
6. Won the Best Teacher Award for the academic year 2007-2008 at SSN College of Engineering
7. Won the Best Paper Award for the paper, “Fluency Practice in an Engineering Classroom” at the 3rd International and 39th Annual ELTAI Conference held at Sathyabama University, Chennai, Feb 2008

Areas of Research

• English Language and Literature
• English Language Teaching, TALL & CALL
• Engineering Communication; English for Specific Purposes

Links

Scopus ID – 57202070115: John, Divya – Author details – Scopus Preview

Web of Science ID – AAZ-4558-2021: Divya John – Web of Science Researcher Profile

ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7244-0406

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=n5fszm0AAAAJ&hl=en

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Divya-John