Presents a dialog on student teacher supervision between university supervisors from the U.S. and Wales. After describing an observation of and conference with a Welsh elementary student teacher, the dialog discusses the supervisors' observations and their expectations for student teachers, and analyzes the effects of the cross-cultural…

The initial training of the United Kingdom's primary teachers is undergoing major restructuring. This article analyzes the main strands of these changes over the last 10 years, examining both the politicization of teacher education and the development of theoretical perspectives that reveal the complexity of the nature of professional knowledge.…

Describes preservice teacher training in South Africa, highlighting distance teaching (including a guided self-study workbook) that leads to a one-year postgraduate higher education diploma designed to meet the teacher shortage. The paper discusses the extent to which students can be guided to bridge the gap between theory and practice in field…

This opinion paper examines the educational process in Russia's pedagogical colleges over the past several years, noting how the democratic changes in Russia's economic and social life have affected the Russian system of education. Problems with the system and perspectives for the future are discussed. (SM)

Retired Canadian educators' gave advice to beginning teachers and offered specific suggestions to a university regarding enhancement of its preservice program. The educators stressed the importance of teachers mastering a basic set of generic skills for classroom management and instructional dimensions of teaching, emphasizing the importance of…