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 almost 30 years of teaching experience. I’ve taught Icelandic as a second language for about 20 years.

Rakel Sigurgeirsdóttir: Einkakennari í íslensku / Private teacher in Icelandic

Fully booked until February 2025.

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

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.
  • Lessons are available between 1 pm and 6 pm on Mondays to Wedensday.
  • On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the last booking time is 8 pm.
  • 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

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:

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.

Updated October 30. 2024