Time for Icelandic in Hafnarfjörður's nurseries

Hafnarfjörður receives a grant – Let's give Icelandic time 

The Municipality of Hafnarfjörður has received an 8,185,000 króna grant from the Ministry of Children and Education to enhance the Icelandic language skills, self-confidence and community participation of staff at Hafnarfjörður's nurseries.  

„I am both pleased and proud to see the City of Hafnarfjörður receive this grant,“ says Hildur Ýr Jónsdóttir, project manager for multicultural affairs at the City of Hafnarfjörður, who is working on the matter. 

„This is part of enabling everyone to be active participants in society. This is also a springboard for the staff of Hafnarfjörður's nurseries to develop professionally. Hafnarfjörður will support its staff so they can learn during their planning time and become more skilled in their roles,“ she says. 

„We want to strengthen the foundation of the Icelandic language environment in nurseries, and we believe that language learning is not only the responsibility of the individual but also of society.“

Hildur Ýr Jónsdóttir, Project Manager for Multiculturalism, Guðlaug Stella Brynjólfsdóttir from the University of Iceland's Icelandic Village, Sólborg Jónsdóttir from Mímir, and Aleksandra Kozimala, Teacher Advisor for Multiculturalism in our nurseries.

Working with Mími and the University of Iceland

The project is carried out in collaboration with Mími-símenntun and is based on the teaching methods of the University of Iceland's Icelandic Village, which has demonstrated good results in work-related language learning. 

„The aim of the project is to design and implement a comprehensive Icelandic language course in the workplace, where specialised, work-related material is integrated with the pedagogical approach of Mímir and the Icelandic Village,“ says Hildur. The project includes vocational Icelandic language courses, training for language mentors, and education and support for staff and managers, as well as the integration of Icelandic into daily work. 

Special emphasis will be placed on the professional development of participants. Through a structured Icelandic language course in the workplace, staff will acquire both language skills and professional competence, which will strengthen their position within the nursery. „They get the opportunity to take the next steps in their studies or career in the field of childcare and education, and in this way, the project contributes to greater equality, professionalism and job satisfaction.“ 

Addresses an urgent need

Hildur says the project addresses a pressing need, as a large proportion of nursery staff speak Icelandic as a second language. Through innovation and a holistic approach, it enhances the quality of Icelandic teaching, fosters empathy, and encourages lifelong learning and professional development. 

As described: The project's outcome will be a model for how to integrate specialised teaching methods, professional training, and daily work to promote inclusion and the future development of staff across multiple areas of work. The project utilises daily interactions as an opportunity for language learning and strengthens social cohesion, where Icelandic becomes a living and accessible tool for all. 

 „Now the preparation and planning for the teaching itself begins. Mímir designs the curriculum and we analyse the willingness to participate. We already know that there is a need for this. The teaching itself will then begin in the autumn,“ says Hildur.