This study aims to investigate EFL pre-service teachers' perceptions of CLIL concerning what CLIL is, what CLIL provides, what CLIL requires, who should implement CLIL, and where CLIL teachers should be trained. The participants were EFL pre-service teachers studying in the faculty of education, Mahasarakham University, Thailand. Questionnaires were used to collect the data after the introduction of CLIL. The findings revealed that most of the participants knew the notion of CLIL as they had taken the teacher training course. The majority of the participants viewed that CLIL provided the opportunities to integrate language into the content subjects. They believed that CLIL helps students develop both language skills and subject knowledge. However, it was revealed that the difficulties in CLIL implementation concerned content, a combination of culture to the lesson, and language (communication). The factors causing the difficulties were mainly related to teachers' lack of content knowledge, students' low English proficiency, and the difficult content interrelated to the technical vocabulary. Another factor directly related to CLIL was 4Cs integration into the lessons. It can be seen that although the EFL pre-service teachers have taken the CLIL training course, they still find CLIL difficult to apply and cannot make CLIL classes effective. The factors can be a guide to develop the CLIL training in order to produce qualified CLIL teachers. Content subject and language training, principles of 4Cs and of CLIL, as well as how to apply to the lessons should be highly emphasized in the training course.

This study aimed to investigate English as a Foreign Language (EFL) pre-service teachers’ perceptions towards the use of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) in the English Language Classrooms concerning the teachers’ computer competence and their perceptions of CALL after creating and using their own CALL in language teaching. The participants were EFL pre-service teachers studying in the faculty of education, Mahasarakham University, Thailand. Questionnaires were used to collect the data after teaching with CALL. The findings revealed that the overall computer competence of the participants was a moderate to a high level, yet the participants were not competent in accessing the different types of information and CALL materials online. Furthermore, the participants reported that the use of a computer made language learning interesting and encouraging. However, they demonstrated that a computer training program was required due to the lack of competence in operating some computer programs as well as the inadequate knowledge of new technology for the language learning. It can be surmised that though the EFL pre-service teachers have learned about CALL, they still find the CALL knowledge gained from the teaching methodology courses insufficient for effective CALL integration and design. Therefore, the study suggests that in order to improve teacher preparation courses, the knowledge of CALL including what CALL is, various types of CALL, as well as CALL materials evaluation be provided. Additionally, the understanding of teaching approaches should also be improved along with the technological skills since the knowledge of CALL solely is inadequate to make effective teaching. The teachers need the capability of selecting the right CALL materials and teaching approaches which are appropriate to the lesson.

World-wide responses to the global pandemic, such as travel restrictions, border closures and lockdowns, have posed new challenges to researchers. For qualitative researchers conducting fieldwork, gathering data in person can be inapplicable (Howlett, 2021). My research investigates English as a Foreign Language (EFL) pre-service teachers’ beliefs and negotiation of meaning in Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) within the Thai secondary education context. Because of the pandemic I was unable to travel to Thailand to gather data, so I had to change my data collection methods to video conferencing interviews and classroom video observations. This article discusses this unexpected shift in research methods through my reflections on conducting digital-based research during the Covid-19 pandemic. It focuses on two main aspects: 1) grappling with emotional distress caused by the unprecedented phenomenon, and 2) redesigning research methods for digital fieldwork. Ethical issues regarding digital-based research are also discussed. The implications highlight the importance of resilience, flexibility and proactivity to surmount unexpected situations during a research journey.

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