This study examines pre-service teachers' perspectives of English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) during their international teaching practicum at Maahad Tahfiz Al-Quran Darul Falah in Selangor, Malaysia. The study seeks to elucidate the obstacles, advantages, and methodologies utilised by pre-service educators in executing English Medium Instruction (EMI), along with their cultural acclimatisation in a global teaching environment. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and classroom observations utilizing a qualitative descriptive methodology including five pre- service teachers from the English Language Education program at Walisongo State Islamic University, Semarang, Indonesia. The results indicate that pre-service teachers often possess confidence in utilising English Medium Instruction (EMI), mostly attributable to their educational foundation in English education. Challenges emerge when addressing technical terminology and abstract notions, which elevate cognitive load and need further preparation. Educators utilized several tactics, including visual aids, code-switching, and peer assistance, to address these issues. The research underscores the advantages of EMI, such as elevated English proficiency, refined teaching abilities, and heightened student involvement. Cultural adaptation was a crucial element, as educators modified their instructional methods to conform to local customs and student requirements. The study concluded that whereas EMI poses considerable obstacles, it also provides enormous opportunities for professional development and cross-cultural learning. Recommendations encompass more research with a more extensive participant pool, institutional backing for EMI implementation, and the creation of tools to aid pre-service teachers in addressing EMI-related obstacles. This study enhances the existing information on English Medium Instruction (EMI) in teacher education, especially within multicultural and multinational settings.
Keywords: English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI), pre- service teachers, international teaching practicum