Barriers to the implementation of the 2013 English curriculum in high schools in Mataram City: mapping teachers’ problems, needs, and supplementary literacy materials for the 2013 English curriculum

Abstract

Although the 2013 Curriculum has been implemented for over 4 years, up till now few numbers of research studies pertaining to its implementation have been reported. Thus, the teaching of English under the 2013 Curriculum in high schools remains to experience problems and hurdles but they are not well addressed yet.  The present study aims to (a) identify the barriers to the implementation of English Language learning under the 2013 Curriculum at high schools in Mataram City, (b) establish teachers’ needs that enhance the implementation of the 2013 Curriculum, and (c) generate supplemental literacy materials that support the teaching of English at high schools. The research employed a qualitative research method. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 12 key informants in 6 high schools in Mataram. Among other findings, the present study reports tentatively that although teachers had received a number of substantial professional development in the implementation of 2013 Curriculum, they still experienced difficulties in changing their practices in implementing the new English Curriculum in high schools. With relatively large number of language skills and knowledge to be taught and lesser amount of learning time allotted, they needed to have supplementary literacy materials for out-of-class activities that supported the present recommended books. Upon the completion of the current study, various English supplemental literacy materials that support the spirit of 2013 Curriculum will be produced for independent learning