Work-related Icelandic lessons at Grund og Mörk

Since autumn 2022, Mímir has been in partnership with the nursing homes Grund and Mörk, providing Icelandic language tuition for their staff. A total of eight courses have been taught at levels 1, 2 and 3, and participation at the workplace has been very good. Students have had good attendance, engaged with the course with enthusiasm and made great progress in Icelandic. The emphasis has been on work-related vocabulary, which has been well received.

When speaking with Sigríður Sigurðardóttir, Head of the Quality and Training Department, the workplace's ambition for its staff's Icelandic language learning shines through. „It is fair to say that the Icelandic courses have become firmly established, and department heads are aware of their usefulness and see progress in their staff. Of course, it requires a great deal of good cooperation from the staff when part of the team attends courses during working hours, but this is managed, in part, by choosing a time for the course that best suits the business, such as in the afternoon,“ says Sigríður.

It is more cost-effective for the workplace to have joint courses for Grund and Mörk, as it would otherwise be difficult to staff groups and the courses would be further apart. Despite the increased cost, taxi services were offered for staff between sites this winter to facilitate access to the Icelandic language course. This option was offered this winter when the Icelandic 2 course was held at Mörk, as it made it much easier for staff to attend the course.

The course in Mörk recently came to an end, and the teacher, Þóra Magnea Magnúsdóttir, who taught the group, was interviewed. The teacher's experience of the course was very positive; the students' interest quickly became apparent, and they were happy to be able to contribute their own ideas to the lessons. Alongside the standard Icelandic lessons, just as much emphasis was placed on conversation and an insight into Icelandic society. Various practical aspects were covered, such as understanding a payslip and recognising the rights that come with, for example, being a member of a trade union. Work was also specifically carried out on the students' vocabulary, both concerning the workplace and also regarding hobbies and other activities outside of work. The teacher commented on how well the students treated one another and
They were good at helping each other when the need arose.

Þóra Magnea was happy and grateful with her group and felt wonderful to get to know a group of individuals from so many countries. She herself learnt a great deal about the customs and traditions of other countries, but also gained an insight into the life experiences of many, an experience that is very distant for many in Iceland.

As has been pointed out from many quarters, understanding and being able to use Icelandic is one of the keys to the community, and it is a joint task for employers and educational providers, among others, to give immigrants the opportunity to learn Icelandic. At Grund og Mörk, Icelandic language teaching has been well-supported, and staff have been given the opportunity to undertake Icelandic language courses at the workplace and during working hours. This has been important for the staff. Colleagues are also aware of the Icelandic lessons and are encouraged to speak Icelandic with those who are practising the language. Workplace-related Icelandic language learning is a collaborative effort for everyone in the workplace, and if positivity, interest and participation prevail, as they do at Grund og Mörk, the results will not be long in coming.