PANYONARA: Journal of English Education
Vol. 8 No. 1 (2026): PANYONARA: Journal of English Education (In Progress)

Practices and Challenges: Riau Islands EFL Teachers’ View on Differentiated Instructions in Kurikulum Merdeka

Theodesia Lady Pratiwi (Department of of English Language Education, Universitas Internasional Batam)
Nurhayati Balqis (Department of of English Language Education, Universitas Internasional Batam)
Pandu Prasodjo (Department of of English Language Education, Universitas Internasional Batam)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Mar 2026

Abstract

Kurikulum Merdeka has been implemented since 2020; one of its characteristics is the implementation of differentiated instruction. Differentiated instruction is an old strategy; however, it is a quite new strategy for most current teachers in Indonesia. Thus, this study aims to examine the perceptions of high school English teachers in the Riau Islands regarding the implementation of differentiated instruction within the Kurikulum Merdeka framework. This study employed a mixed-methods research approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data. The research instruments are a questionnaire and an interview to get a deeper analysis. This study found that EFL teachers in Riau Islands Province showed positive perceptions of the implementation of differentiated instruction. The teachers also admitted the importance of adapting to students’ diverse needs, abilities, and learning styles. However, the teachers also face several challenges during the implementation of differentiated instruction, such as limited time and resources to prepare, as well as difficulties in adapting the instruction to large class sizes. Despite those challenges, EFL teachers still perceive the usefulness and effectiveness of differentiated instruction to develop English language skills. In a nutshell, differentiated instruction can significantly improve the learning outcomes, but adequate professional training and resources are necessary for better implementation.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

panyonara

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

PANYONARA: Journal of English Education, known as journal which publishes articles in the field of ELT from various perspectives, covering both literary and fieldwork studies. It Publishes manuscripts within the fields of teaching English as a second or foreign language, English language teaching ...