The Pivot to Online Learning: A Case Study of Chinese EFL Student Teachers’ Learning Experiences

Adopted a qualitative research approach, this study brought in the Chinese EFL student teachers’ voices on their online learning experiences and perceptions to shed light on the further development of online teaching and learning in the EFL teacher education programs in China. This study collected data from Chinese EFL student teachers on their experiences and perceptions of online learning. The data included 148 responses from the open-ended response questionnaire and transcripts from two focus group interviews with 12 participants in total. The findings from this study revealed four major themes: learner autonomy, digital skills, Internet connectivity, and interactivity. The findings also indicated that Chinese EFL student teachers, to a certain extent, could leverage digital tools for learning purposes. Meanwhile, the Chinese EFL student teachers expected more comprehensive support in terms of technology troubleshooting, time management skills, self-discipline, and online resource evaluation.