"I've heard that stall recognition and recovery is no longer required to get a PPL here in the states (someone on the forum will know). It's because many people are not as fascinated with flying as in the past, and the smaller aircraft industry wants it easier to obtain a pilots license to have more customers. I wonder if this is true in europe, as well as the USA?"
due to JAR FCL stalls and even spins are required for the practical training.
look here at 1.125
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/175/Sectio...R-FCL%201_.pdf
flight schools for this have some simple approved trainer like a C152 approved for aerobatics or a subaru fuji eg.
but i doubt it will be helpful in stall recovery of an a330.
with multi engine turbine or jet aircraft i must say we only trained a stall in the simulator- NEVER in the real aircraft. simply because such a plane is not approved for intended stalling and no insurance would cover such a training in real life.