A Narrative Inquiry into Indonesian Pre-service Teachers' Cross-Cultural Teaching Experiences in Malaysia

Amanda Jasmine; Dewi Kurniawati; Nunun Indrasari

doi:10.51276/edu.v7i1.1597

Authors

Amanda Jasmine UIN Raden Intan Lampung
Dewi Kurniawati UIN Raden Intan Lampung
Nunun Indrasari UIN Raden Intan Lampung

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51276/edu.v7i1.1597

Keywords:

Cross-cultural Teaching , Cultural Adaptation , International Service Learning Program , Narrative Inquiry , Pre-service Teachers

Abstract

This study aims to gain an in-depth understanding of how Indonesian English Education students describe their teaching experiences during the 2024 International Service Learning Program in Malaysia. Employing a qualitative narrative inquiry design, data were collected through in-depth interviews and reflective narratives, then analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns within the participants' stories. The findings reveal three central themes: (1) cultural adjustment, reflected in students' efforts to navigate different classroom norms and communication styles; (2) pedagogical shift, demonstrated through their Adaptation of teaching strategies to meet Malaysian learners' expectations; and (3) professional identity formation, emerging through ongoing reflection on their roles as novice teachers in a cross-cultural context. These results contribute to the theoretical understanding of intercultural teacher education by highlighting the value of narrative Inquiry in capturing identity development within transnational teaching spaces. Practically, this study underscores the importance of structured intercultural preparation for pre-service teachers. At the same time, at the policy level, it emphasizes the need to expand international exposure programs to strengthen global teaching competencies.

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Author Biographies

Amanda Jasmine, UIN Raden Intan Lampung

She was born in Lampung on September 19, 2003. She is an undergraduate student in the English Education Program at Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Raden Intan Lampung, Indonesia. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree and developing academic interests in English language education, particularly in English language teaching from both theoretical and practical perspectives.

Dewi Kurniawati, UIN Raden Intan Lampung

She is a lecturer in the English Education Department at Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Raden Intan Lampung, Indonesia. She holds a master’s degree in English Language Teaching, with expertise in ELT methodology, technology-enhanced language learning, and teacher professional development.

Nunun Indrasari, UIN Raden Intan Lampung

She is a lecturer in the English Education Department at Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Raden Intan Lampung. She holds a master’s degree in English Language Education, with research interests in English for Specific Purposes (ESP), English Language Teaching (ELT), character education, curriculum development, textbook analysis, and hospitality education.

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