Skip to main content
Logo of EURAXESS
Iceland
Ukraine flag
Living in EuropeAccess to the culture of the host country/language coursesIceland

Icelandic language and culture

Icelandic is the official language of Iceland and is used almost exclusively in all areas of daily life. The majority of Icelanders do speak more than one language, with the most common second language being English. The number of schools offering Icelandic lessons has been steadily growing in recent years and many of them are listed below. 

Throughout the country you can enjoy diverse cultural activities, ranging from national heritage and museums, to art exhibitions and popular Icelandic bands playing in concerts. 

Study Icelandic

Below is a list of schools offering courses in Icelandic as a second language. As the schools are always changing and improving their programs, it is a good idea to call each school to find which course is best for you.

There is often a fee to register for classes, please make sure to inquire about any fees before applying. Please note that if there are fees you may be eligible for discounts or reimbursements e.g. from your Icelandic trade union.

 

Study Icelandic

 

 

 

 

  • The Tin Can Factory offers both online and on-site language courses in Icelandic. They also provide courses on cultural matters, history and other languages
  • Mímir-Símenntun is a center for lifelong learning in Reykjavík offering Icelandic language and orientation programmes with a wide range of courses at five different levels
  • The Árni Magnússon institute organizes summer courses in Icelandic language and Icelandic studies
  • Múltikúlti - Language centre offers Icelandic courses on five levels, as well as work-related seminars for staff in companies and seminars on Icelandic culture, life skills and cultural integration
  • Retor provides courses in Icelandic especially for Polish speakers
  • Fullorðinsfræðslan Academy of Languages provides Icelandic courses on 5 different levels.
  • The University Centre of The Westfjords offers Icelandic language courses in August every year for incoming exchange students and other international students and staff coming to Iceland.
  • The adult education centre in the west fjords regularly offers Icelandic courses for beginners as well as two courses for advanced learners
  • Farskólinn offers course which emphasises spoken language for beginners as well as more advanced courses in Icelandic for foreigners.
  • University of Akureyri offers a course every semester for international students;
  • Símey also offers Icelandic as a second language courses as well as other practical education to individuals in the Eyjafjörður area.
  • Þekkingarnet Þingeyinga or Húsavík Academic Center (HAC) is dedicated to promoting and facilitating lifelong learning, university studies and interdisciplinary research. The center is located in the town of Húsavík, Iceland, but serves all of Þingeyjarsýslur, a region in the northeastern part of Iceland they provide icelandic courses.
  • ASETUR (Alþjóðasetur ltd.) is a professional interpreter- and translator service for both individuals and companies

     

      Access to Icelandic culture

      The Multicultural Centre has the fundamental role of facilitating communications between individuals of different backgrounds, and to enhance the services provided to foreign citizens residing in Iceland and to those interested in moving to Iceland.

      Below you can find links to various culturally related activities and websites in Iceland. 

       

      • The Culture House is a venue for Icelandic national heritage in a nutshell. The operations mainly entail diverse exhibitions. Contracts are made with relevant institutions regarding short or long term exhibitions.
      • The National Museum of Iceland is the center for the preservation and research of national historic treasures. It has a role to disseminate information about the national heritage of Iceland from antiquity until the present.
      • The Settlement Centre is devoted to recreating Iceland’s earliest days and introduces visitors to one of the best known heroes of the Icelandic Sagas, Egill Skalla-Grímsson
       

       

        International cultural activities