ENHANCING 5Cs SKILLS THROUGH EIGHT HOLISTIC ACTIVE LEARNING PROCESSES: A STUDY OF ENGLISH PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS' LEARNING ACHIEVEMENT AND REFLECTIONS IN A 21ST CENTURY SKILLS FOR LIVING AND CAREER COURSE

Abstract

This retrospective mixed-methods study examined how eight holistic active learning processes enhanced the 5Cs (Contemplative Thinking, Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creative Thinking) among 29 English preservice teachers. The eight holistic active learning processes-BALANCE, INDARA+C, CLEAR, PEACE, CREATIVE, QUEST, GRACE, and MIRACLE-were implemented in a 21st Century Skills for Life and Career course. Tools for data collection consisted of achievement tests (140 points in total) and 263 weekly reflections over 14 weeks, analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic coding. The English preservice teachers achieved very good overall performance (84.19%), with collaboration and creative thinking exceeding 90%. The application of skills to daily life increased progressively, from zero to 34 instances, with transformative experiences peaking during the GRACE and MIRACLE sessions. The English preservice teachers preferred interactive activities and requested more practice time. The findings support integrating contemplative education with active learning to develop 21st-century teacher competencies.