Learning to Teach Across Borders: Vietnamese Pre-Service TESOL Teachers in a Transnational Practicum in Thailand

Abstract

Practicum is an integral part of initial teacher education, functioning as a bridge between theory and practice. In today’s globalized context, practicums have extended beyond national boundaries into transnational settings. This study examined the experiences of 12 Vietnamese pre-service TESOL teachers during their transnational practicum at a university in Thailand. Data were collected through four focus group interviews (pre-practicum and post-practicum) with the pre-service teachers. Findings reveal that the practicum catalyzed professional development and intercultural learning. Participants encountered tensions between theory and practice as well as imagination and reality, but addressed these through contextual adaptation and pedagogical flexibility. Their transnational experiences also contributed to the initial shaping of their language teacher identity. The paper concludes with implications for research and practice in the design and implementation of transnational practicums in second language teacher education.