Preparing Technical Educators for Multilingual Classrooms in Transitional Times

The COVID-19 pandemic brought profound shifts to teacher education, particularly in private higher education institutions across Asia that serve diverse and multilingual student populations. As these institutions transitioned to hybrid models, teacher educators faced new challenges in delivering technical education in regional languages. This chapter explores the evolving role of teacher educators in preparing and supporting instructors to teach technical subjects in learners' native languages using digital tools and pedagogies. It highlights innovations such as multilingual content development, use of localized digital platforms, and collaborative online teaching practices. Drawing from the context of private HEIs that cater to first-generation and rural learners, the chapter outlines strategies for professional development, and curriculum adaptation that enable educators to thrive in post-pandemic, digital environments. It also addresses the emotional and pedagogical challenges of maintaining instructional quality while ensuring equity, linguistic accessibility, and engagement.