Practical curricular training of teachers

Based on the premise that the practical dimension must be considered in the initial training of teachers, we understand that curricular training, if well founded, structured and oriented, is relevant to the curricular outlook of the practical training process for future teachers. This article presents some reflections and discussions, stemming from a qualitative investigation, about the importance of the role of curricular training in the practical preparation of the students. The subjects of this research are students who have finished the Teacher Training Course at the University of Paraiba Valley (UNIVAP). Based on the interpretation of different authors (LIMA, 2001; TARDIF, 2002; PIMENTA, 2001; GOMEZ, 2000), we understand practice as praxis, since, in being permeated by a process of reflection, it can be constructed and reconstructed, with a view of transforming the school. Thus we see the practical learning considered to have been achieved during the training in the reports presented and in the students' discourse. We analyze the data collected, in the light of the theory studied on the practical and professional training of teachers. We identify the favorable and unfavorable aspects of practical curricular training from the space/time point of view, which is also intended to promote practical knowledge in teacher training. Finally, we propose new perspectives for the orientation and execution of practical curricular training of teachers, centered on the relevance of practical training and on the articulation of all the disciplines on the training course.