The Knowledge Network offers companies customised Icelandic courses tailored to the needs of each workplace. Teaching can take place at the company's premises or at the Knowledge Network's facilities, whichever is most suitable.
Whether it's a one-off course or regular, long-term training, we work with companies to develop a training programme that is tailored to their objectives and the needs of their staff. The overarching goal is to enhance staff's Icelandic language skills and support good communication and increased engagement in the workplace.
Recently, thirteen employees of the Mývatn Hot Pools completed a 40-hour A1 Icelandic for beginners course. Their teacher was Ásta Lóa Madslund, and her teaching was very well received, as can be seen in the students' reviews.
According to Ragnhildur Hólm Sigurðardóttir, HR and Marketing Manager for the Geothermal Pools, the staff showed great interest in attending Icelandic language courses, and fewer people got a place than wanted one. When it became clear how great the interest was, the Geothermal Pools explored the possibility of a private course for their staff. We, of course, welcome such enquiries and did our best to accommodate the company's requests regarding the time, frequency, and vocabulary related to their operations. And so, a course was arranged, which began just a few days later!
,The staff are extremely pleased with the course and have expressed a great interest in a follow-up, which is planned for the autumn. We are extremely satisfied with the delivery and organisation of the course. We are particularly pleased that, as this was a private course, we were able to focus on our staff learning the basics of Icelandic, which will be of great use to them in their work. They then concluded the course by walking around the new Geothermal Baths with the Icelandic teacher and explaining areas within the new building in Icelandic. The teacher, Ásta, received very good feedback from the staff and it is obvious that she is a great fit. She connected well with the staff and increased their interest in Icelandic with fun and varied tasks. "There is no doubt in my mind that they have boosted their confidence in using Icelandic with the course," says Ragnhildur.
This is not the first time that the Jarðböðin have utilised the services of the Þingeyinga Knowledge Network. In 2019, they entered into an agreement about Director of Education on loan where the aim was to put staff training onto a targeted path, improve the quality of products and services, and increase staff satisfaction.
The management of the Geoseum have also encouraged foreign staff over the years to attend the general Icelandic language courses offered by the Knowledge Network, and participation in these has been quite good. With the expansion of the Geothermal Baths as a workplace, it is clear that participation will increase significantly and, according to Ragnhildur, the workplace will look even more towards private courses, as far as possible.
Further information about the Knowledge Network's corporate services can be found here However, enquiries may also be sent to the project manager for corporate training:
Hilmar Valur – hilmar@hac.is
Ingibjörg – ingibjorg@hac.is
Here are some fun reviews from participants on the bespoke course for the staff of the Jarðarböðin.:
