Abstract: Based on relevant literature, this present paper conducts by means of literature and expert interview a historical survey of the experience and characteristics of the evolution of pre-service PE teacher education system in China. This paper argues that the process of “transplant and imitation —learning for reference — self-dependent innovation” is the main path of the evolution; the transition from the tool-centered to teacher-centered principle is its value tendency; the reform on the curriculum system of PE teacher education is the center; the reforms on social politics and on teacher education & school education are the main external incentives for the development. Even though the reform on pre-service PE teacher education is dependent on the reforms on teacher education and school sports, it has its own logical principles. This research concludes that the reform on PE teacher education system in modern times should take teacher-centered value judgment as its guide, put emphasis on the construction of “self-organization”, follow the rule of meeting the country’s demand for sports teachers, and take the construction of pre-service PE teacher education system with Chinese characteristics as its ultimate goal.

Key words: pre-service PE teacher education, system evolution, school, physical , education