Occupational Icelandic at Brim

Icelandic courses run by Mímir are constantly evolving. Among the projects currently underway is the preparation of a job-related course at Brim, where staff will learn vocabulary related to their work environment. Mímir and Brim have long worked together on Icelandic language teaching within the company. Within Brim, great emphasis is placed on staff receiving good training in Icelandic, and ways are constantly sought to make the learning fun and to help people communicate with each other and in the wider community. The project manager is Joanna Dominiczak, who says that the most important thing in Icelandic instruction is practising speaking.

„The project is part of giving the staff a good foundation for discussing work-related matters with each other. It encourages people to use Icelandic rather than resorting to English. It's simple science: the more you use a new language you are learning, the faster you build up your skills.“ Joanna says that there are different language groups within the company and it is important that they can talk to and understand each other. But is the course then based entirely on work? „No, not at all. We of course focus on the words and phrases that are important to know in the workplace, such as the names of raw materials and/or equipment. Alongside that, there is general Icelandic which is useful in many areas of society.“

Joanna has a strong insight into how Icelandic is the key to the community and helps people to integrate. „As an immigrant myself, I know how important it is to have Icelandic. It is the key to the community. I also know that the best way to learn is to be given words and phrases that you can use in everyday life, because then it becomes second nature. You're more likely to use the new language in other settings than just at work. But the training takes place there with your colleagues, which is very good for you.“