Icelandic self-study just got easi(er)
Learn to self-direct your language learning and get exactly the support YOU need along the way.
Learn Icelandic on your own terms
Learn how to learn
Equip yourself with the tools that you need to learn as efficiently and effectively as possible. This lets you make the most out of every minute you spend learning.
Use the best resources
What’s the best dictionary? Which books are worth the money? And what about apps? Learn what resources to use and, more importantly, how to use them.
Be accountable
We all need someone to be accountable to do get stuff done. I’ll make sure you stay on track and get as much as possible out of the course.
Expert support
Get the support you need, when you need, with expert answers to your questions on your schedule.
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”
How the self-study course works
Free intro class
Learn the principles of effective language learning and the best resources available.
After the free class you decide if you want to continue with the course. Even if you don’t, you’ll be well-equipped to learn Icelandic faster than ever on your own.
You learn - with the support you need
After the free intro class, you’ll know what to spend your time on and what not to waste your time with. You’ll know what resources to use, and how to use them.
And you can rely on expert support for any problem.
Free follow-up class
Holy hell, ANOTHER free class?
Yup. Once you start applying the methodology and techniques you learn with me, you are going to have questions. I’ll have answers.
Investment into the self-study course with Siggi was the best decision. Thanks to him, my Icelandic improved so much in the last 3 months. After attending classes in HÍ, I can say that he is the best teacher I've ever had and HÍ would be lucky to have him.
"I've seen my skills improve greatly and I am very happy with the results. The learning process suits me perfectly because it is tangible and you're in charge of your own learning pace. I just need to keep up the good work!"
Get all kinds of support
Expert support
Send me any question, any time, through email or messenger. You know how some people have their drug dealer on speed dial? You can have your Icelandic teacher on speed dial.
Best part is the cops won't even bother you about it. Probably.
Peer support
Get access to the self-study group chat on messenger. Chatting with other students in the course gives you that much-needed camaraderie and support.
You’ll always have someone to share your victories with, or to help you with your sorrows.
Weekly check-ins
It is too easy to buy a gym membership and then never go, and I don’t want that happening to my students. Having someone to be accountable to is important.
I’ll email you once a week to make sure you’re on track and offer encouragement. You’ll have someone to be accountable to so you’ll stay on track.
"I was concerned that I would stop being self-directed after the first week... kind of like buying a gym membership, but I went ahead anyway, and it helps you to stay focused and accountable for your own progress. It’s a great supplement to self-directed learning."
“I used to be afraid of speaking Icelandic, not making much progress. But now learning a language is damn easy and so much fun! I've learned more Icelandic in three weeks with this course than in my entire life. And I did a BA in Icelandic.”
Question and Answer sessions
Interact directly with an expert
Sometimes, asking your questions through text just doesn’t cut the mustard and you need the back-and-forth of live communication. That’s where Q&A sessions through video chat come in.
Enjoy the great company
Meet your fellow students and feel the encouraging camaraderie that comes with sharing your experience with others going through the same thing.
You are in control
You vote for times that suit you, and the best part is:
You are guaranteed a session at a time that you vote for.
That means that if 10 people vote for 10 different times, we have 10 Q&A sessions.
The self-study course is about freedom. That’s why you can come to as few or as many Q&A sessions as you want.
Practice
Here’s how the self-study course helps you improve.
Reading, along with listening, forms the the backbone of the course, so you’ll do a lot of it.
You’ll learn what resources to use and how to use them effectively, as well as various reading techniques. This will help you make the most of every minute you spend reading.
Listening, along with reading, forms the backbone of the course, so you’ll do a lot of it.
You’ll learn what resources to use and how to use them, as well as effective listening exercises. Once you’ve learned how to learn, your listening skills will skyrocket.
Once I’ve answered every question in a Q&A session, we use the rest of the time for conversation practice. I can also teach you some speaking exercises you can do to improve your fluency.
Speaking-specific practice is not a focus of the course because speaking skills tend to improve naturally as you read and listen to the language.
For advanced learners, writing practice can be integral. We’ll share a Google doc where you can leave writing exercises for me to review and leave feedback on.
If you’re a beginner or intermediate learner, though, your time is probably better spent reading and listening.
Need a break?
We all need a break once in a while. That's why you can pause your subscription to the course any time. Perfect for the holidays, an upcoming deadline, or just to avoid burnout.
Price
Your union or employer will refund you for your classes.
Most unions refund between 75-100% of the cost. There would be riots if Bónus offered this kind of discount.
If you don't get the classes refunded for whatever reason, don't hesitate to take advantage of your free trial class. We'll work something out =)
15,000 ISK after union subsidy
18,750 ISK after union subsidy
With a subscription, you get a monthly invoice in your online bank. Pay with two clicks.
Minimum 2 months.
Many factors influence your eligibility for subsidy, so always check with your union to be certain of your rights.
Frequently asked questions
Here is the percentage of the cost you can get back from various unions. If you can't find your union on the list, don't worry: it's not an exhaustive list.
75%: Efling, Drífandi
80%: SSF
90%: VR, Framsýn, AFL, Báran, and Hlíf
100%: BHM, FÍN, Fræðagarður, KÍ, Sameyki, and Stamos
Please note that while this is accurate to the best of my knowledge, always check with your union to be certain.
You, the students, vote for times that suit you. Then we meet on Zoom at those times. Everybody who votes is guaranteed a Q&A session at a time they vote for.
Sessions are 45 minutes long and starting times range from 10am - 6pm (GMT), every day except Wednesdays and Sundays. If you work a 9-5 job, Saturdays are available!
Yeah, of course. Grammar and vocabulary are popular topics, but you can also ask about culture or learning techniques, for example. Hell, feel free to come just to rant about the hardships of learning Icelandic if you want: you'll have sympathetic ears.
The self-study course may be better for you if:
- your schedule doesn't allow you to have class regularly
- you prefer self-directing your learning
- you can be self-motivated, and get the work done even with no-one to be accountable to
The traditional private classes may be better for you if:
- you prefer step-by-step guidance
- your schedule allows you to have class at least semi-regularly
- you would like someone to be accountable to, to help you get the work done
It takes about 1-2 years to reach equal footing with natives for day-to-day communication, ASSUMING you're immersed in the language on a daily basis.
Sign up
Hey, this would ordinarily be where you would sign up for a free intro class to join the course. However, I am on paternity leave so the self-study course is on hiatus until summer 2024.
Sign up for the Icelandic made easi(er) email newsletter to be the first to know when the self-study course gets going again! I'll send you Icelandic tips once a week and keep you posted about any developments in our courses =)