How to Learn Icelandic

Before we begin the meat of the course, lets go over some effective learning strategies, tips, and tricks that will help you learn better and quicker.

While I will give some helpful anecdotes where I talk about my own learning and teaching expereices throughout teh course, this lesson and the following one are some of the only times I will purposely seperate the we going on this journey into I and the you, because it's important that you realize some things and I admit some things.

Set realistic expectations

The number one killer of language learning aspirations is unrealistic expectations.

Mastering a language, whether it’s Spanish, Icelandic, or even a programming language like C++, is a challenging task. It involves learning new vocabulary, understanding unfamiliar grammar, and changing how you view the world. Things you thought were universal might be different in another language. This is what makes language learning exciting, but also tough.

At times, you may feel overwhelmed and wonder if you’ll ever understand the content. You might even start doubting yourself, thinking you’re not smart enough to learn Icelandic. But I assure you, with time and dedication, you can do it. Progress may vary based on your experience, age, or commitment, but anyone can learn any language.Expect challenges and moments of frustration, but if you keep going, you will make progress.

If a baby can do it, so can you!

Given these challenges, it's important not to expect to master Icelandic overnight. It’s a complex language that takes years of study to fully master. Instead, focus on setting small, achievable goals. This will keep you motivated and excited to keep learning. The old saying, "Aim for the moon and you’ll land among the stars," doesn’t quite apply here. If you aim too high, you may feel lost. Instead, aim for smaller milestones—like reaching a stable orbit or fueling your rocket. Then, the moon will seem more achievable.

Write it down, Review it

Learners often discover that physically writing down new information can greatly aid their memory and recall. This is not universal, but several credible scientific studies back the general trend.

You have different options for jotting down your learning. You might opt for a notebook organized by day, or you might prefer a computer note system organized by topic. Your personal style matters here. The point is that having a written account of what you've learned turns out to be quite rewarding; it helps you remember the information you've absorbed much faster. What is less important is the method that you choose.

Moreover, writing things down provides a valuable resource: you create a reference that you can revisit, revise, and explore anew with a more knowledgeable perspective later on.

Just remember: if you write something down and then never look at it again, it ceases to be beneficial. Daily reviews are ideal, but they are not always realistic. Try to review your notes as often as possible.

What's more, not every verb table or newly learned definition will reappear in the course; in fact, they will do so infrequently. It's simply not feasible, given the course's scope and the need to progress, to review everything. But I do know that learning isn't always a straight path. It's unrealistic to expect yourself or anyone else to grasp everything right away, let alone retain that information indefinitely. That is where your notes come in.

While I'll certainly bring back topics or reference previous lessons as needed, and while there is a quiz to help you review after every module, this course anticipates that you'll engage in the practice of putting pen to paper and reviewing independently, especially for charts, structures, and vocabulary. While I do not expect you to know every tip and trick of how to analyze everything you've written right away nor remember every vocabulary word the first time you see it, every previously mentioned element is your responsibility to store and put forth a decent effort into remembering.

At certain times in the course, I will suggest how to review or think about a certain topic. Please note that these are always suggestions, and your own learning journey might demand a different approach. That's completely fine. Find what works for you and do it!