BASI LEVEL 1

snowpack wrote:
Overall though, I think the point is here about the instruction and how somehow there's this idea that a ski instructor (?) has some unquestionable higher knowledge which mere mortals cannot ever begin to understand. And they will impart small amounts of this to you for large amounts of cash while you are on holiday.

i agree but it's not all ski instructors, only some and it's not surprising it's more common than with other skiers. There's any number of non-instructors who talk total nonsense though in an attempt to sound a bit technical, in fact they're worse in many way, they've got no excuse and the only possible effect is to exclude people.

i know i (unfortunately) am the one who started this entire discussion afetr using the foragonal (but I did say that its just a word that stuck in my head as it sounded funny)
but it is same with teaching-the best way to teach maths or skiing im sure is to simplify it until you are either ready for a detailed description or want it.
Unfortunately ski instructors sometimes dont get that-prob more so the foreign ones?

rossyhead wrote:Unfortunately ski instructors sometimes dont get that-prob more so the foreign ones?

I don't think so, this nonsense speak and use of made up words is a uniquely native-English speaking disease.

This has been a very interesting thread and it’s good to know what other people’s views on instructors are. In my experience, the most important thing when someone is trying to teach you anything (be it skiing or otherwise) is that you are on the same wavelength. It doesn’t matter how many qualifications you have (or how good you personally are at what you do), if you can’t get your point across at the right level for your class and in a way that they are going to enjoy then it isn’t going to work. The best teachers are also able to adapt their style to the different ways in which people learn, some by simply watching, other need to know the theory etc.

Sometimes it is necessary to get technical, but only if those you are with know what you are talking about, otherwise you may as well be talking in ancient Greek! I sometimes wonder why certain people become instructors – I’m sure with most it’s because they have a genuine love of their job and sport and get a lot out of watching people improve and grow to love it as they do, however there seem to be some (in all walks of life) who do it simply to show off and boost their egos, in which case they shouldn’t be teaching at all.
As others haven mentioned, another thing that annoys me is those who think they know it all and are quite prepared to shout about it, when in reality they know very little at all. The real experts (who are not necessarily instructors) are those who quietly and helpfully pass on their knowledge without blowing their own trumpets and it’s great that there are so many of those on here.

I’ve also found that once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s sometimes possible to learn more from a friend simply giving you a few tips than hours of lessons with the wrong person, although if you’ve found an instructor who you work well with, stick with them as they’re worth their weight in gold.
Sadly as Ally has pointed out, in group lessons you don’t have choice who you get so it’s often a case of make do and try and enjoy your skiing if you get someone you don’t click with.

ise wrote:

rossyhead wrote:Unfortunately ski instructors sometimes dont get that-prob more so the foreign ones?

I don't think so, this nonsense speak and use of made up words is a uniquely native-English speaking disease.

Guilty as charged on this one, though I do have the sense not to use them in the company of people I don't know, in case they think I'm crackers!

Lynn_D wrote:As others haven mentioned, another thing that annoys me is those who think they know it all and are quite prepared to shout about it, when in reality they know very little at all.

I wasnt shouting about it-clearly I am more inexperienced than I thought I was!
But I agree, interesting thread-if I do ever start instructing Ill take all the points on board!

rossyhead wrote:

Lynn_D wrote:As others haven mentioned, another thing that annoys me is those who think they know it all and are quite prepared to shout about it, when in reality they know very little at all.

I wasnt shouting about it-clearly I am more inexperienced than I thought I was!
But I agree, interesting thread-if I do ever start instructing Ill take all the points on board!

Sorry if that was taken the wrong way - I didn't mean anyone on here, just in general. I can see why doing an instructor course would be beneficial, even if you don't necessarily want to teach (which I'd be absolutely hopeless at!!)
I've got very little skiing experience myself, but happily acknowledge the fact that I've got loads to learn.

"Foragonal" Thats a new one to me. Does anyone know the origin of this word, it doesn't appear in any dictionary that I've checked.

Could it be that its a corruption of 'forward' and 'diagonal' and it was made up by a bunch of trainers who take themselves way too seriously?

English is a fairly comprehensive language, if you can't explain what you are trying to get across without resorting to making up new words then perhaps its time for a change of career.