Private lessons

If you need private tutoring for Icelandic as second language, I  might be the teacher you’re looking for.

My name is Rakel Sigurgeirsdóttir. I graduated as a secondary school teacher in Icelandic in the spring of 1995, which means I have 30 years of teaching experience. I’ve taught Icelandic as a second language for about 25 years.

My Official Teacher Certification

Rakel Sigurgeirsdóttir: Einkakennari í íslensku / Private teacher in Icelandic

Fully booked until June 2025.

Book a trial lesson
Location
Price and Terms
My timetable
Study materials and methoods

About me

Education

  • 2021 – MA in information science and knowledge distribution
  • 2020 – diploma in web communication
  • 1995 – education and pedagogy for teaching qualification
  • 1994 – BA in Icelandic

Career

  • 2016 – private teacher
  • 2011 – second language teacher in Icelandic at Mímir
  • 2000-2010 ISAT-teacher at secondary school in Akureyri
  • 1998-2008 part-time teaching at the University of Akureyri
  • 1995-2010 Icelandic teacher at secondary school in Akureyri

Interests

  • language learning
  • design
  • UX
  • education
  • books
  • tution
  • travels

Testimonials from my students

Rakel is very patient in explaining, creative in finding new and fun ways to teach an train your Icelandic skills and flexible in focussing lessons on whatever it is you might want to work on and improve. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot.

Would recommend her as a teacher anytime.
Sonja Greiner
PhD student in geophysics at HÍ
I've had the chance to take some Icelandic courses during the two years I've been in Iceland, and I can say Rakel's course was the best so far. She's a great teacher who loves what she does and you can feel it in the classes. She plans all the lessons based on what you need and want to improve [...]. Each lesson was different, we used all kind of resources and matterilas.

If you have lost hope in learning Icelandic, maybe lessons with Rakel are what you needツ
Carolina Millán
MA student in American Studies at HÍ
Rakel is very patient in explaining, creative in finding new and fun ways to teach an train your Icelandic skills and flexible in focussing lessons on whatever it is you might want to work on and improve. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot.

Would recommend her as a teacher anytime.
Sonja Greiner
PhD student in geophysics at HÍ
I've had the chance to take some Icelandic courses during the two years I've been in Iceland, and I can say Rakel's course was the best so far. She's a great teacher who loves what she does and you can feel it in the classes. She plans all the lessons based on what you need and want to improve [...]. Each lesson was different, we used all kind of resources and matterilas.

If you have lost hope in learning Icelandic, maybe lessons with Rakel are what you needツ
Carolina Millán
MA student in American Studies at HÍ
I can wholeheartedly recommend [Rakel] as an exceptional private Icelandic language tutor. She exhibits an unparalleled passion for the Icelandic language and possesses a profound understanding of its intricacies. What sets her apart is her ability to tailor lessons according to individual needs and learning styles, thereby ensuring a remarkably personalized and effective learning experience.

Rakel employs a diverse range of teaching methods, seamlessly integrating multimedia resources, real-life examples, and interactive exercises into her lessons to make the learning process not only enjoyable but also highly effective. Her flexibility is noteworthy, and I appreciate that she [also] offers online lessons, providing a convenient and comfortable solution learning process.
Dominika Anna Madajczak
certified translator from Icelandic to Polish

Teacher Rakel is the BEST I’ve ever had!!!!! THANKS a lot to her! Her explanations are logical, she is helping me with my vocabulary!! SHE IS AWESOME!!!!
- student at level A1
- student at level A1

Rakel is the best of the best!!! She explains the material in a very accessible and undersandable way.
- student at level A1-A2
- student at level A1-A2
Rakel is an awesome teacher, both experienced and progressive. She has an enormous ability to explain complicated topics, and makes learning Icelandic language a really fascinating journey. I really apreciate that she focuses on the most important things, making revisions and repetitions to allow knowlege to root deep.
- student at level A1-A2
- student at level A1-A2

I highly recommend, great atmosphere during lessons, fun and iteresting marterials.
- student at level A2
- student at level A2

Rakel was professional, respectful, and always gave enough useful examples and explanations to ensure she gave answers to my questions. As a doctor who is working in academia, I really enjoyed her teaching methods.
- student at level A2
- student at level A2
Rakel is an excellent teacher! I wanted to improve my Icelandic skills, both when it came to speaking and writing. She helped me a lot when it came to preparing for the Icelandic entrance exam at HÍ! Her way of teaching is friendly and very focused on practices. I highly recommend her to anyone who wants to have a joyful experience while learning Icelandic!
- student at level A2-B1
- student at level A2-B1

Rakel is a very professional teacher and I think she is the best. She connects everything to everyday life and teaches phrases that ordinary Icelandic people use in their speech.
- student at level B1
- student at level B1

  • Location

I live in Grafarvogur in Reykjavík and I am able to teach in my home. Bus number 6 stops right next to where I live.

I focus on adult students that live in Iceland
and prefer face-to-face tutoring
I can also offer online lessons.
I focus on adult students that
live in Iceland
and on in-person tutoring.
I can also offer online lessons.
Book a trial Lesson
Book a trial Lesson

  • My timetable

  • Lessons are available between 1 pm and 7 pm on Mondays to Thursdays.
  • It’s possible to request lessons on Fridays from 1 pm to 3 pm.

The lessons arrangement and subjects largely depend on each students language level and goals. In the beginning, the main focus is generally on vocabulary and other basics.

  • To a large extent the teaching takes place in all kinds of conversations.
  • Great emphasis is placed on learning-by-doing and gamification.

It’s essential to have fun while learningツ

The choice of study materials depends mainly on your capabilities in the language and what you want to get out of the lessons.

Students can of course bring their own study materials, but so far a vast majority have chosen to use some form or combination of:

Some students seek preparation for the citizenship test in Icelandic or the entrance exam in Icelandic as a second language at the University of Iceland. In those cases, the teaching is adapted to the emphases of the relevant exam.

In terms of homework, its scope and content depend primarily on the goals and wishes of each student.

  • For example, some students want to read a text and have a conversation based on its content.
  • Many students want and need to practice basic grammar.
  • And then there are those who want to improve their vocabulary and comprehension through interactive projects.

These are just a few examples of emphases, but of course the focus and subject can vary a lot.

Below is an overview of possible teaching focuses by objectives.

  • speaking and pronunciation
  • reading and comprehension
  • grammar
  • vocabulary for your workplace
  • writing and spelling
  • preparation for the Icelandic citizenship test
  • preparation for the entrance exam in Icelandic as a second language at the University of Iceland
Be in Touch

Updated March 23. 2025