I often skip introductions (both as a reader and a writer) because they usually convey, well, close-to-zero useful information, but this time, I'm intentionally adding one.
This foreword is essential to understand my choice of resources.
Instead, I want to get acquainted with 1, 2, 3, immerse myself in the language (radio, TV, written form), and unintentionally stumble across these 1, 2, 3 that I've already been exposed to.
My philosophy is: if I see this expression pop up more than two or three times in a week, it means the word is commonly used—and I will adopt it with much pleasure.
If I never see the expression again, I probably don't need it. (It also helps magnificently if you're a perfectionist. I'm fantastically lucky to have a surprisingly powerful and steady motivation to speak Icelandic fluently that fights the compulsions for me, hehe.)
Repetition-wise: this might be an unpopular opinion but I don't want to spend my time making flashcards if I can watch a video in Icelandic instead.
A disclaimer: I can't say I don't believe in the power of a good flashcard set—I used them regularly during my college years, and I would continue doing so if I had a less time-consuming method of making them. Logsec might be a solution for me— I'll let you know if it works out.
I envy those who can sit still and study for hours. Even though I don't use socials anymore, I need to make coffee, water my Trader Joe's shamrock, check myself out in the mirror (wow, me again), brush my teeth, do 10 squats—well, anything. Just let me get up.
What can I do? Yield to it. Accept. Embrace.
I spent a whole last year exploring my concentration capacity and realized I was extremely good at doing small tasks regularly. Let's just learn one rule today, let's read one text. It will take more time to master the language, but at least I'm not trying to change myself.
If you can enter the zen state in 5 minutes, good for you! Use the flow, do more. I'll stick to my tiny-bits nature. (Not that I have much of a choice.)
And now, my 20 go-to's.
- My absolute winner is simply listening to Icelandic radio.
(I know, I know, it's a passive activity, but I'm being honest.) This is what I do daily. I usually click either on RÁS 1 or RÁS 2. Do I understand a lot? I do NOT, haha.
But! I've already got used to the intonation and I'm starting to capture separate words and even the meaning of some short passages (but it's still rare).
A tip: When I need to concentrate or unwind, Rondó is THE solution. There is no spoken Icelandic: it's a classical music wave which I'm in love with! (I'm listening to it while I'm editing this article!) - Casually going through pre-made flashcards on Ylhýra.is.
- Learning one grammar topic on Ylhýra.
- Working with a text on Ylhýra.
The text base is THE ultimate goldmine for Icelandic learners.
Real language + recording by a native speaker + line-to-line translation + flashcards. Everything for f-ing FREE. Stop sleeping on Ylhýra, PEOPLE.
- Line-to-line translation.
I discussed the whole process in this article.
- Shadowing—the one and only.
(Finally, come *physically* active things.) Just find an authentic recording— and fake it til you make it ;) - What about lessons that are actually FUN? Check out Ása's channel.
I am now mentally prepared when I see the length of 20-30 minutes. I remember clicking on a lesson for the first time thinking 'Well, a wee explanation to accompany my lunch'. Hah, it accompanied my tears.
However, no matter how DENSE the videos are, you learn plenty of stuff, on a cultural level and vocabulary-wise. And I ADORE Ása's humor. - Inspiration time! Watching Max Naylor or Icelandic For Foreigners.
It's cute to see native speakers use their own language—but what about foreigners who nailed it? When I watch these guys' YouTube channels, I'm torn between 'I'm a useless piece of sh_t' and 'OMG, this is SO, SO inspiring, let's get back to work'. - (More inspiration.) Watching vlogs in Icelandic.
I bet you already know that there is almost NO content in Icelandic out there but I managed to dig the only vlog in Icelandic on Birta Hlin's channel and some oldies from Arna Petra. - Going deep into the IPA transcription of a certain word. Like this.
- Doing an exercise from Colloquial Icelandic.
- Analyzing a text from Colloquial Icelandic.
- Learning a grammar rule from Colloquial Icelandic. I'm currently working on an overview of this (marvelous) book. Since I'm lucky to have the physical version, I use it when I don't want to stare at the screen anymore. I even downloaded the audio recordings on my ancient MP3 player. Digital detox, baby.
- Reading something out loud. I dare to suppose this one is clear. AND NECESSARY.
- Watching an episode of Viltu læra íslensku. I can't point to the thing I like most about it. Retro style? C2 students learning the alphabet? Dentistry vocab in the second lesson? A gem, truly. (Though I must admit I use it more for inspiration and immersion than as a real learning resource.)
- Maybe I shouldn't add this one, but sometimes I just read things ABOUT Iceland and Icelandic. It doesn't enrich my language, but it keeps in the context. And I genuinely enjoy it. (This one is in Italian, but Italiano in Islanda is really good and thorough.)
- I may go back to pronunciation rules to make sure I don't forget about tiny details. I almost always do. 🤡
- Oh, have you heard of the Icelandic Immersion podcast? It's entirely in Icelandic—which is quite logical given the name. Flemming, the creator, has also a Patreon page where you can get access to the transcriptions for 5 dollars a month. It's definitely on my list!
- I'm not sure this counts but if I'm doing nothing I can watch one of these videos on YouTube. Just to have the first contact with the new vocabulary.
- I completely forgot about this one... Icelandic TV! Yesterday, for example, I watched the first episode of Matarsaga Íslands. (Don't forget to turn on the subtitles! If they don't appear straightaway, wait for 5-10 seconds. Don't be hasty.)
What I don't do anymore/didn't enjoy:
- The app Drops. I know: attention span, gamification, bit-sized lessons, but— dude. This is TOO much.
- The most known course, Icelandic online. I can't explain why it didn't click. I think I'll come back to it later to try it again.
- I would adore to watch movies I like in Icelandic but there is ABSOLUTELY nothing out there—nothing!—in Icelandic. Lord of the Rings in Icelandic? You wish. My absolute dream is to translate Galadriel's monologue into Icelandic. Double magic.
What I want to add to my not-so-routine-y routine:
- Tiny journaling
Even if it's simply 'I just had a cup of tea. The tea was tasty.' I don't want to wait until I can discuss the detrimental side of plastic straws production. I don't think I'll go to Reykjavík and challenge a barista to environmental debate. I'll limit myself to ordering a coffee. (You can notice how modest my Icelandic aspirations are. Will this change?) - Learning grammar from Daisy L. Neijmann's Icelandic: An Essential Grammar (yes, I'm a fan).
I discovered this book through my library subscription—lucky, I know. Just as Colloquial Icelandic, the grammar book is extremely detailed and beautifully structured.
Once again, I won't work with it in the chronological order: I will pick one random separate aspect, just to enrich my overall knowledge in Icelandic.
*exhales* That's it for today! PLEASE share the article if you find it useful! Let's appreciate Icelandic together.
Bless.
