What benefits that students can take? Portraying the implementation of EFL curriculum in Indonesia through phenomenological lens

Abstract

In response to the latest curriculum implementation in Indonesia, this research examines the
implementation of EFL (English as a Foreign Language) 2013 curriculum through a phenomenological
lens. It draws the data from interviews with two experienced English teachers teaching in two pioneer
schools that have implemented the 2013 curriculum since 2014 in Jambi city, Sumatera, Indonesia. The
findings of this research show that there are two major benefits that students can take from the
implementation of the 2013 curriculum. First, it is promoting independent learning. Through the
implementation of the 2013 curriculum, students become active constructors for new knowledge in
which the learning activities are planned and facilitated by the teachers. Second, the implementation of
the 2013 curriculum stimulates students to be creative learners. Students may be able to do their works
or projects better than the teachers expect. The findings suggest that EFL teachers need to improve their
ability to design classroom activities that allow students to be active and creative learners. The teachers
need to be able to create a good atmosphere and think a step ahead from the students to make a good
classroom engagement and to trigger students’ independent learning and creativity for the lesson
facilitated by the teachers.