This study investigates the challenges faced by student teachers in designing lesson plans that align with the school curriculum requirements. The research involved 37 student teachers from the Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, specifically in the English
Language Education Program who had completed their teaching internships. The purpose of the study was to explore whether student teachers experience difficulties when creating curriculum-based lesson plans and to identify which specific aspects of the planning process present the most challenges. Data was collected through a questionnaire consisting of Likert-scale items, divided into two main sections: general perspectives on curriculum-aligned lesson planning, and specific difficulties encountered during the process. The findings show that while most student teachers recognized the importance
of aligning their lesson plans with the curriculum objectives and viewed planning as a reflective practice, they still struggled with implementation. Key challenges included adapting lesson plans to the school levels, managing time allocation and interpreting
curriculum documents such as syllabi and competency standards. The results reveal there is possibly a gap between theorical knowledge acquired during coursework and the practical demands of real classroom settings. The study highlights the need for more
hands-on training, guided practice, and mentorship within teacher education and internship programs. These supports are essential to help student teachers build skills and confidence necessary for effective curriculum-based instructional planning. |