This study investigated student teachers' preferred active learning strategies, and those which they actually received during their teacher preparation programmes. An explanatory mixed methods research design was adopted, including a survey completed by 308 participants and group interviews involving 38 participants. Data were gathered from student teachers completing their university education in three countries: Qatar, Lebanon, and China. Results indicated the prevalence of and a preference for a passive mode of instruction among student teachers as a convenient approach that would guarantee good grades from assessment procedures favouring memorization. Further, several inconsistencies between the quantitative and qualitative data revealed challenges in reconciling the theory-practice gap, changing perceptions towards alternative teacher roles, and realigning assessment procedures with innovative teaching methods.