Icelandic language class: breaking down the myth
About The Icelandic Language Class
I invite you to an educational and fun class to learn one of the oldest languages in the world: Icelandic. In our class we will, among other things, break down the myth that “it is impossible to learn Icelandic”.
You might have heard the rumor that it is “impossible” to learn Icelandic. Of course that is not true. Icelandic is like every other language, with its easy and more difficult parts. It is also a Germanic language, so it is closely related to languages you are already familiar with.
In our class we will focus on building basic vocabulary and pronunciation . We will start with a little task to pair Icelandic words to pictures, just to give you the feeling that you already know some Icelandic. As word formation is kind of a sport in Iceland, we will also take a look into how we form new words like “tölva” for computer and “sími” for telephone. Then we will do some basic pronunciation so you will be able to pick up some survival vocabulary for your days in Iceland.
Finally, to prove to you that learning Icelandic is possible, by the end of the class you will be able to pronounce the word that has been a tongue-twister for news reporters all over the world: “Eyjafjallajökull”. I am looking forward to welcoming you!
Availability
Wednesday at 2:00 pm
Other days available. To be scheduled at a mutually agreed day and time
Also available as private
Price
ISK 10,500 with one participant
ISK 7,400 per person with 2 or more participants
Included
Course materials
Duration
2 hours approx
About the host
Sæl og bless! I have had the pleasure to teach Icelandic to foreigners for more than 15 years at university level in Iceland.
I really enjoy to open up the language to foreigners. Enrich your stay by learning a bit of the language of the Vikings!
Gallery
Booking
This experience is booked on request. We will let you know within 72 hours whether your booking request has been accepted or not. No payment will be requested until the booking is confirmed.
Why booking with us
No booking fees or any hidden cost
Best price guarantee
Count on us to be there by your side
Creative Iceland’s Original
Good to know
Language
English
Weatherproof
This activity takes place rain or shine
Amenities
Coffee shop, restrooms, paid parking available
Meeting at/location
Downtown Reykjavik. Address will be provided after booking.
Reviews
"Ingenious Icelandic Language lessons in a classy setting"
"Because my mother has previously taken cooking classes with Creative Iceland, I was aware that the activities curated by this company are top-notch with artists, chefs, musicians, writers, and teachers who are living and working in Reykjavik and other regions of Iceland. Guides and instructors are part of the continuum of craftsmanship and creativity of this country. I registered (at the last minute!) for an Icelandic language class, and lucked out in receiving a one-to-one tutorial with an enthusiastic and committed instructor who has taught for many years at the university and has the First Lady (who speaks fluently) numbered among her former pupils!
We met in the Hannesarholt cultural house in a beautiful parlor/library upstairs from a bustling cafe. Sirry brought ample handouts with exercises and grammar lessons to review with me, and we worked through many over the course of two and half hours (she was very generous with her time) so that I came away with improved pronunciation and basic sentence structures in the present tense. Sirry also offered a key to breaking down the language phonetically and semantically into smaller units--this was helpful, as my other languages are Romance rather than Germanic--I needed a framework. Sirry was extremely patient and kind, intelligent, sensitive thorough and interesting--she pulled from the culture, the history of Icelandic and the neuroscientific basis for learning a new language in order to reassure me during the struggle! As a result, I was curious and motivated and wanted to absorb as much as possible! I left with fistfuls of resources and more came via email a few hours later and the next day, so now I know where to look for online lessons, Icelandic film, apps etc. so I can continue my studies.
Altogether a brilliant way to spend a drizzly afternoon in springtime Reykjavik, and my favorite set of hours on this stopover visit. Sirry's class and approach would especially suit travelers who have made a few trips to Iceland or plan to return. Without a doubt, a class with Sirry will enhance your understanding of this beautiful country and its people and give you an appetite for more!"
"What a fantastic time we had learning a little Icelandic with Sirry!"
"It was wonderful, because she is an excellent teacher! She was able to simplify, explain, and take the mystery out of so many things we did not understand about the Icelandic language. And it was terrific to learn from a native speaker! We knew we had been well-taught when my husband thanked someone after a purchase, and when the sales person finally realized he did not really know Icelandic, she smiled and told him he didn't have an accent! How exciting to know we had learned to pronounce things properly! We certainly hope that when we return to Iceland next year Sirry will teach us Part 2 of her class!"
"Ya, ya, yow - Icelandic language"
"My kids (two teens) and I took the Icelandic language class with Sirry the first day we were in Reykjavik. It was very interesting. We learned a bit of pronunciations, some useful phrases, what those unfamiliar letter are! She also explained where some words and phrases came from. The best part though was that for the rest of our stay, we saw words all over that we could piece together. (Icelandic has lots of compound words, and once you see how to sound them out, a number are like English or German, both languages we were familiar with already.) And while I did have to practice a bit, I can pronounce Eyjafjallajökull now! (My kids got it much faster!)
I would definitely recommend it to family and friends."
