<![CDATA[Teaching internships provide essential experiential learning that connects theoretical coursework with real classroom practice. This study examines the challenges faced by pre-service English teachers during a three-month internship in Islamic schools across East Java, from 10 February to 16 May 2025. Using a qualitative design, data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and reflective journals from eight English Education students at UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya. The findings reveal three main categories of challenges: (1) teacher-related difficulties such as limited preparation, low self-confidence, insufficient pedagogical competence, challenges in designing assessments, and limited classroom management skills; (2) student-related challenges, including students’ low self-confidence in using English and diverse learning styles; and (3) school-related, including limited technological facilities and curriculum constraints that reduced instructional hours due to religious and institutional priorities. The study emphasizes the need to strengthen practical pedagogical skills, particularly in lesson planning, differentiated instruction, and assessment development, supported by enhanced supervisory mentoring and closer university–school collaboration. These insights underscore the importance of context-responsive teacher education to better prepare future English teachers for diverse educational settings.]]>
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