Definition

Noun: - A two-year school for training elementary teachers: A "normal school" is a specific type of educational institution, historically common, dedicated to preparing individuals to become teachers at the primary (elementary) school level. The term "normal" derives from the French "école normale," indicating it was a school that established teaching norms or standards.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • In the 19th century, many states established normal schools to address the need for qualified teachers.
  • She received her teaching certificate after graduating from the local normal school.
  • That university began as a small normal school over a hundred years ago.

Advanced Usage

• The term "normal school" is primarily historical. Most institutions originally founded as normal schools have since evolved into teachers' colleges, comprehensive colleges, or state universities. Using the term today typically refers to their historical function or origin.
  • The campus tour guide explained that the university's oldest building was part of the original normal school.

Variants and Related Words

• Teachers' college (n): A later term for an institution specializing in teacher education, often evolving from a normal school.
• Normal (adj): Conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected. (This is the common modern meaning of "normal," distinct from its use in the historical compound term "normal school").

Synonyms

• Teachers' college
• Teacher training college (more common in British English contexts)

Notes on Meaning

• The term refers specifically to a historical institution for elementary teacher preparation. It is not used for graduate schools of education or institutions training secondary school teachers.
• The word "normal" in this compound term does not carry its modern adjective meaning of "usual" or "standard." Instead, it refers to the establishment of teaching "norms."

Noun

1. a two-year school for training elementary teachers