Last week it was reported that Bifröst University in west Iceland would become the first university in the country to offer a Bachelor’s degree in business taught exclusively in English. While there is already a range of courses offered in English at several of Iceland’s universities, Bifröst says that by offering the degree in English, it is responding to the needs of students planning to work in the international arena, saying that “the Icelandic society is international now […], [so] the need for English speakers in the labor market has never been greater.”

The move is in line with the 2006 Chamber of Commerce report “Future Commission” which called for better instruction in English within the Icelandic educational system, i.e. that parts of the school curriculum be taught in English by 2015, as well as suggesting that Iceland should aim towards bilingualism.

The arguments include that if a course were taught in English, it would mean access to a greater selection of educational media and would help attract foreign teachers to the country. Many textbooks at university level are already in English, making it an unofficial prerequisite that students have a high level of English, even if the courses aren’t actually taught in English.

Some companies in Iceland have already adopted a controversial policy of bilingualism. Controversial because some argue that being able to work in Icelandic should not be compromised for the interests of foreign employees or overseas business prospects. Former President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir has expressed her opposition to such policies saying, “It saddens me […] that another language is supposed to be as fully-fledged as ours.”

She isn’t suggesting that Icelanders shouldn’t learn English, but as I understand it, she is opposed to the idea of using another language alongside Icelandic, especially in the workplace. The fact is that Icelanders generally already speak a very high level of English and surely that opens up many opportunities for them, so why not use that to their advantage? While the prospect of losing aspects of one’s own language to foreign influence is a valid one, the fact is that English does have an important place in Iceland.

Don’t get me wrong, English should as a general rule never replace Icelandic but I think there are cases when bilingualism, particularly in the realm of business and the workplace, is in the interest of both parties.

As an English teacher in Iceland I have daily contact with Icelanders wanting to improve their level of English. Even after two years in the country, it still impresses me how many of my students have managed to reach an advanced level of English without having ever lived abroad.

Like most Icelanders, much of my students’ exposure to English is through watching television, which simply uses Icelandic subtitles for translation, unlike many other countries where films and TV shows are dubbed. So, providing they have a television, those living in Iceland can choose to have regular exposure to English and often try to improve their language skills this way.

Just the other day a family member back home was asking me how I keep up my level of English while living abroad. While teaching low-level English can be synonymous with having your own level of English deteriorate, teaching high-level English, as I sometimes do here, perhaps predictably has the opposite effect. Speaking to enthusiastic learners of English who by their own admission have already “mastered” the language and who constantly want to know the meaning of this technical word or that specific phrase means that I am sometimes learning or revising aspects of my own language.

What I’m saying is that most Icelanders speak English – incredibly good English. Many Icelanders study and work in English, and the bulk of television, movies and other media, as well as textbooks, is in English too. It is not viable to translate all of these into Icelandic.

Now, Icelanders can even opt for university study in English. And is this so terrible? While it of course should not come at the expense of the quality and knowledge of Icelandic spoken by Icelanders—and while all foreigners living here should learn Icelandic—I think it is OK that both Icelanders and foreigners can choose to study and work in English.

This certainly does not mean, as some would suggest, the end to Icelandic.

ZR – zoe_robert3@hotmail.com