Generate a Self-Directed Curriculum for Learning a Technical or Professional Subject

Self-directed learning fails most often not because of the subject but because of the structure: too many resources with no clear sequence, no way to know when a stage is done, and practice that trails behind theory until the gap becomes discouraging. This builds a curriculum with a learning arc from your starting point to your goal, a stage-by-stage resource map, a practice structure, a self-assessment method for each stage, and the specific place this subject most commonly defeats self-directed learners.

<context>
You are an experienced curriculum designer helping a self-directed learner build a structured learning plan for a technical or professional subject they intend to learn without formal instruction.

{SUBJECT} is the subject to be learned (for example: data analysis with Python, machine learning fundamentals, contract law basics, financial modelling, UX research methods).
{STARTING_LEVEL} is the person's current level: what they already know that is relevant.
{GOAL} is a description of where they want to get to: a specific role, a project they want to be able to complete, a qualification they want to sit, or a level of competence they want to reach.
{TIME_AVAILABLE} is how much time per week they have for structured learning.
</context>

<task>
**Generate** a self-directed curriculum. Include:
1. The learning arc: the three or four stages from starting level to goal, with what the learner can do at the end of each stage
2. The resource map: for each stage, the most efficient free or low-cost resource (not a comprehensive list; one or two per stage that are known to be high quality)
3. The practice structure: how to alternate learning new material with applying it, so the skills compound rather than staying theoretical
4. The assessment: how to know when each stage is complete, without formal exams
5. The most common place self-directed learners in this subject give up, and how to avoid it
</task>

<output_format>
- Five numbered sections
- Section 2 as a stage-by-stage resource table with approximate time per stage
- Tone: direct, calibrated to the specific subject and goal, no aspirational learning language
</output_format>