Give Icelandic A Chance receives the European Language Label

The campaign Gefum íslensku séns or “Give Icelandic a chance” has been awarded the European Language Label. The award encourages the development of new techniques and initiatives in the field of language learning and teaching. The label is awarded to the most innovative language learning projects in each EU member state and third country associated to Erasmus+. The campaign Give Icelandic a Chance received the award from the Ministry of Education and Children's Affairs and Rannís in collaboration with the European Commission. You can read more about the European Language Label here.

Ólafur Guðsteinn Kristjánsson, coordinator of Icelandic studies at the University Centre of the Westfjords and representative of the campaign Give Icelandic a Chance, says the campaign is focused on raising awareness. Including what is involved in learning Icelandic and how we as a society can contribute to people's progress in Icelandic and that people have the opportunity to use the language on as many occasions as possible. The goal of the initiative is to promote increased opportunities for people to use Icelandic in the broadest and most diverse way possible, so that those who learn the subject, no matter where they are, receive the support and understanding of those who are native speakers. The campaign is supported by the University Centre of the Westfjords, the Center for Lifelong learning, the municipality of Ísafjörður and the municipality of Súðavík.

The campaign also received funding from the Immigration Development Fund early in 2023 and was recognized by the Icelandic Language Committee in the fall of 2022. Give Icelandic a Chance has organized a number of events, such as speed-Icelandic, bingo in Icelandic, ask about grammar, a symposium and much more.