Initial Practical Training Trends of Primary School Teachers: The Private School Model. Comparative Study in Mediterranean Europe

This paper analyzes from a comparative perspective the initial training of primary school teachers in four Mediterranean European countries (France, Italy, Spain and Portugal). These four countries present certain common characteristics of cultural, social, political and economic order, but also remarkable differences in their education systems and in their approaches to teacher training. This study focuses on practical training as a key element in teacher preparation, which often does not receive the level of attention it deserves. Training paradigms and their inclusion in private management and administration systems are also taken into account.