The Icelandic initiative in our nurseries is yielding good results.
The use of the Icelandic app Bara tala increased by 63% among staff at Hafnarfjörður's nurseries during a special October challenge. In total, staff from 13 nurseries took part in the initiative. The aim is to improve the Icelandic language skills of staff whose mother tongue is not Icelandic.
Just talking gets results
Fifteen staff members of Hafnarfjörður's nursery schools received a certificate yesterday after completing Bara Tala Challenge the challenge. The three best performers received the Hafnarfjörður map as a prize.
„Participants had to score 930 points to meet the challenge's requirements, with the points being earned by completing tasks in the smart app. The participant who went the furthest collected 13,567 points, which is equivalent to just over 42 hours of Icelandic practice in the app,“ says Hildur Ýr Jónsdóttir, project manager for multicultural affairs at Hafnarfjörður municipality.
„It has been great to see increased participation and the use of Icelandic through Bara Tala Challenge-the challenge. Icelandic is often said to be the key to the community, but it is also the bridge that connects us. What has stood out is the joy, the sense of togetherness and the confidence the project has created,“ says Hildur, adding that giving people the opportunity to practise and improve their Icelandic is a source of joy for everyone.
Participation from 13 nurseries
Teaching Icelandic to staff in Hafnarfjörður's nurseries is part of an effort to encourage them to practise the language, boost their confidence in communication, and strengthen their participation in the daily work of the nurseries. Emphasis was placed on making the Icelandic lessons accessible and engaging with the help of the Bara Tala app.
Staff from 13 of Hafnarfjörður's 17 nurseries took part in the challenge, and app usage increased by 63% during the campaign. In total, 61% users took part in the challenge and 33% completed it, or 15 staff members.
Good Icelandic skills are important in the day-to-day work of nurseries, both in communication with children, colleagues and parents. The initiative encouraged staff to improve their language skills and gain greater confidence in their work and daily lives.
Congratulations on your success
Hafnarfjörður congratulates all participants on their success and thanks them for their ambition and enthusiasm. It is gratifying to see how many took the opportunity to improve their Icelandic skills and further strengthen themselves in their work.