Ski course APUL Dintroduction to teaching skiing

The D course is an introductory course to APUL education. It is a 5 days course. Any skier, who is at least 15 years old and able to ski on blue and easy red slope in controlled parallel turns, is welcome to attend the course. The successful graduate from the course D becomes a ‘ski instructor APUL D’ holder, who is competent to teach beginners and moderately advanced skiers of all ages. 

In course D we get the basics for further education levels. We emphasize on understanding the principles of skiing technique and teaching beginners and intermediate skiers. The succesfull candidate will gain the overwiev of the concept and philosophy of education in the APUL system. Course D is also a prior condition for entering higher levels of education.   

The main part of the course D will consist of practical training of technique and teaching of skiing, but also continuous testing of the quality of acquired knowledge and skills. Practical workshops on and off the slope will emphasize the following key points of course D:

• APUL Customer Service.
• The functioning of the ski school and the role of winter sports instructor in the ski industry.
• Fundamentals of APUL educational and technical concept.
• The teaching methods (beginners and intermediate).
• Introduction to the specifiacation of children's education.
• Training of the basic turrn (snowplough and variation of snowplough turns).
• Understanding basic educational and safety principles of teaching skiing.

• Applicant must be at least 16 years old on the opening day of the course.
• Applicant must be able to ski on the red slope with skis in parallel position (parallel turns).
• Previous experience with teaching skiing is not required.

The content of the course is divided into a practical part on the slope and a theoretical part in the form of lectures and workshops. The daily program will be adapted to weather and snow conditions. The course leader is responsible for editing the course program. On the last day of the course there will be a so-called "exchange of lecturers" for each group. Participation in all parts of the program is a necessary requirement for successful completion of course D.

The APUL level “D” entitles its holder to perform skiing technique and teach skiing beginners and intermediate ski school clients. The holder of the APUL "D" license is also competent to teach children.

Successful graduate of the course D is competent to:

• teaching beginners to intermediate skiers.
• Performing techniques of skiing to the level of "basic turn".
• teaching children in ski kindergarten area and on regular ski slopes.
• acknowledged safety of the clients during the lessons while skiing on slopes.
• enter the follow-up course APUL level „C“.

Examination of skiing, teaching and analysis (theory) will take the form of continuous assessment. Each candidate will receive the evaluation of his teaching and skiing skills from two different trainers during the course (in case of 2 or more training groups). For successful completion of the level D training it is needed to meet the requirements of all three areas (skiing, teaching, analysis). The minimum score is 1 average point on a scale of 0 - 10 points.   

1. Skiing exams

Ongoing exam in skiing level D is focused on quality mastering of the basic turn in its several variations. Each candidate will be evaluated from performing of two different basic turns. 

Basic turn

Terrain: gentle blue slope (beginner terrain)

Criteria:

The examiners rate each run depending on the following criteria:

• Control of the speed and the radius (fulfillment of assignment).
• Shape of the turn (linked S-shaped turns)
• Balanced stance.
• The direction change is the result of the lower body and feet activity.
• The guiding of the skis (plough / wedge) in the basic turn depends on the speed and the slope gradient.

Evaluation

Each examiner evaluates each run on the scale ranging 0-10 points. The canditate must reach at least 1 point on average of the two runs to pass the exam. The candidate who scores 0.5 points on the average of both runs has not met the requirements for passing the APUL D course and becomes a D ČEKATEL. He/she must pass a makeup exam in order to obtain a licence. The candidate who receives less than 0,5 point on average, did not meet the criteria for level D. In such a case, the course must be repeated.

2. Teaching exam

Ongoing practical exam is a simulated group lesson in which the candidate must demonstrate the knowledge and skills of good teaching procedures of beginners to intermediate skiers of all ages. Each candidate will be tested three times during the course. Each exam takes about 10 minutes and will focus on:

• 1 adult lesson,
• 1 children's lesson and
• 1 topic selection (according to the draw scenario).

Criteria:

The examiner rates each demonstration depending on the following criteria:

• Lesson structure
• Communication (Level of verbal and nonverbal communication)
• Guest service level (Positive attitude and to create an optimal environment for teaching)
• Understanding the “APUL Blue Progression” (Understanding and use of methodical procedure)
• Safety and didactic principles (terrain choice, ensuring safety, group organization, lesson progress)

Evaluation

Each examiner evaluates each of the 3 teaching demonstrations on the scale ranging 0-10 points. The canditate must reach at least 1 point on average of the 3 demonstrations. The candidate who scores 0.5 points on the average of both runs has not met the requirements for passing the APUL D course and becomes a D ČEKATEL. He/she must pass a makeup exam in order to obtain a licence. The candidate who receives less than 0,5 point on average, did not meet the criteria for level D. In such a case, the course must be repeated.

3. Analysis exam (written test)

Written test consist of questions on ski technique analysis (video) and theoretical knowledge required for the level D (skiing, guest service, teaching methods, safety, first aid).

Evaluation

Minimal score is 75% of correct answers to pass the exam. In the case of failure, the candidate is invited to an interview with examiners.

Candidate who does not fulfill criteria for successful completion of the level D, even in front of examiners board, does not meet the requirements for the successful completion of the APUL level D and mus repeat the entire course.

• Adequate ski equipment (ski boots, pair of skis with a radius of 14-18 m, ski poles).
• Ski helmet.
• Waterproof and warm clothing (we will spend min. 5 hours a day outside).
• Goggles and sunglasses, gloves, sunscreen.
• Money for ski pass (significant discount will be arranged).
• Money for breakfast, lunch and dinner (or self-catering).
• Notebook, pens.

• "BLUE BOOK - APUL Ski Instruction Book",
• information obtained from individual workshops.

Recommended parts of chapters to study will be specified.

All APUL courses are very intensive educational experience and are held in a mountain area and in all weather conditions. Therefore, they are physically and mentally demanding so it is recommended to dedicate sufficient attention to physical preparation few weeks before the course.

All APUL course participants are - when moving on the ski slopes - obliged to comply with the so-called "Ten Rules of conduct on the slopes." If any participant of the course will be systematically violate the rules of conduct on the slopes by his behaviour, threatening other course participants or other skiers, he will be asked to quit and leave the course.  

Since skiing is a risky sport, we recommend arranging the appropriate accident insurance in case of accident or injury. Participation in the course is voluntary and at your own risk. APUL does not bear any consequences for possible injuries.