Combining theory with tutorial experience: Pre-service training for the teaching of disadvantaged pupils

The goal of the course described here was to train prospective teachers towards the teaching of disadvantaged pupils. Teacher trainers should pay special attention to both the needs of the disadvantaged and the attitudes of the student teachers towards them. Pre-service training of teachers should strive to provide the students with knowledge of the socio-economic background of the disadvantaged, their mental and affective condition, their language, ways of thinking and behaviour. It should also promote positive attitudes towards these pupils. With these views in mind, a course was planned which included both theoretical components and practical tutoring experience. It consisted of theoretical introductions, individual tutoring activities with small groups of pupils, and post-activity theoretical discussions. Furthermore, each tutorial session was planned according to the same pattern. The results were that changes in attitudes and meaningful theoretical learning happened simultaneously and in close relations with each other. The students developed positive attitudes, designed appropriate unconventional tutorial activities and were able to apply theoretical conceptions to the analysis of their teaching behaviours.