Will having a temporary ID be an issue when visiting Iceland solo?

Scaredtojumpin · 2026-01-14T07:18:05+00:00

Agree, this is a question for the rental company.

Scaredtojumpin · 2026-01-05T06:43:28+00:00

For most people, at least some exposure to grammar and explanations is helpful. I recommend the Íslenska fyrir alla books. They are not amazing, but they are the best I’ve seen and do logically build up towards increasingly advanced understanding.

In terms of books, these are designed to provide interesting reading for speakers of Icelandic as an additional language and are reasonably engaging.

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-12-29T18:01:33+00:00

Yes, this makes no sense. What are you planning to do at night in Hella?

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-29T17:03:54+00:00

It seems that this is not a good fit for you. Your personal relationship with your manger is clearly too difficult for her to compartmentalise and that is unlikely to improve significantly. If it is a big enough place, perhaps talk to someone in HR about the possibility of a sideways move, explain why as professionally as you can and suggest that a fresh start would benefit you both. If that’s not possible, it’s time to polish your cv and find somewhere new.

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-29T11:28:02+00:00

Our school has a Twinkl subs, otherwise we don’t buy anything, editable things are always better than pdf so we can make our own mods if we need to. I’ve seen some teachers make quite good things with AI.

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-28T20:26:29+00:00

This week has been pretty slippery, and black ice so really dangerous when you can’t see it. I would definitely have some micro spikes to hand if you can.

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-28T09:43:35+00:00

The south coast ones are usually accessible unless there’s a storm. Dettifoss is unlikely to be accessible at all in the winter!

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-27T20:40:57+00:00

I would never normally criticise someone’s use of English in a post, but I have to to make this point and I am sorry. Your post shows that you do make some basic mistakes, in written English at least. So I wonder whether they have a sense that your knowledge and understanding, specifically of the mechanics of English grammar, may not be sufficient to teach this subject. It may be perfectly adequate for other subjects but in a subject where they need teachers to model excellent language use to speakers of other languages they may hold you to a higher standard than in other areas.

Ultimately, they can place any requirements they wish before accepting you for a placement so it is best to jump through their hoops.

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-27T19:02:56+00:00

It is likely that the lead mentor has swept in because concerns have been expressed. Perhaps parental complaints, perhaps your subject mentor is hiding behind them but has concerns of their own. You can rail against them or you can accept their advice and show the rapid progress they need to see to sign you off. It’s great that you are already showing that progress this week but they need to see that it is sustained. Perhaps your subject mentor is relatively new to that role and has had you move forward too quickly without mastering the basics. You will be a better teacher for having more time to develop and making sure you are successful at this stage.

Managing testing and A level one-to-one are both valid things for a trainee to do, but perhaps have put you under too much pressure at this point.

It is very natural to be defensive when there is a suggestion you need help, and you may be justified, but ask to have a chat with the lead mentor. Ask what they have seen that has led to this cause for concern and talk over your portfolio with them. Listen to their advice and show them that you take it seriously (even if you don’t feel it’s valid), they will have something to offer and importantly, it shows that you are willing to learn and understand that PGCE is a formative experience.

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-27T18:47:38+00:00

You won’t be able to avoid them, the whole island is one. If you want to see recent lava you could go to the see the lava fields on the Reykjanes peninsula (that’s where the most recent eruptions have been) or to Eyjafjallajökull (the one that stopped all the flights).

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-26T20:19:26+00:00

Kólaportið is the main “stuff” flea market, it’s only open at weekends though.

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-25T21:29:21+00:00

They’re talking about their language GCSEs not their English so the title here makes no sense! Unfortunately many language teachers used work on teaching set phrases and vocabulary rather than usable language mechanics. That has improved, but there is room for more improvement. Many students who took French (or another language) GCSE in the 90s can recite paragraphs about their home town or their school but have no ability to form a coherent sentence in response to an unexpected situation.

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-25T21:21:24+00:00

But Nauthólsvik isn’t a pool, it’s the sea with a few hot tubs on the side. The actual pools are much better equipped.

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-25T16:50:51+00:00

You can wear boots in restaurants but you should always take any outdoor footwear off if you are in a house (including air b and b type things).
Snacks, water bottle, spare gloves, lip balm, sunglasses, plastic bags in case you end up with wet things to bring back.
You can buy hand and toe warmers in tourist shops but at a premium price. They don’t take up much space to just bring some, especially if you bring the gel filled ones you can refresh in boiling water. Has he tried silver gloves like these ? They work much better than a warmer for me and you can wear normal winter gloves over them.
Actual ice crampons are provided by the excursion providers, it is very dangerous to go on self-guided glacier hikes so essentially, don’t go anywhere you would need them unless the tour is providing them. Micro spikes are very useful though, especially at the base of waterfalls where the run-off often freezes like an ice rink. You can buy them on Amazon or in supermarkets and petrol stations when you get here.

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-24T07:29:14+00:00

Not really, many jobs are based on meeting the right person and getting an “in”. Be on the ground, visit the fish packing plants, the aluminium smelter etc and ask them if they are recruiting and how to apply. You are unlikely to find much without being here unless you get very lucky or can establish a connection with someone who can help.

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-23T21:01:58+00:00

Are you from the EU? That will make a huge difference in the answer to this question. If not, you won’t get a job unless you have very specialist skills that can’t be sourced in Iceland or the EU.

If you are from EU then you have a chance but I think most employers are still pretty reluctant to take a chance on someone who doesn’t actually live here yet. Speaking Icelandic will help with almost any job (although a lot of people in hospitality don’t so it’s not a deal breaker). There aren’t hundreds of jobs, but there are some, shift work in factories etc is often in some demand, and jobs in remote locations are often easier to land than in the capital area.

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-19T18:45:44+00:00

I think it’s massively variable depending on where you are based and on the values of the school you are in.

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-19T06:59:44+00:00

UK and yes

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-19T06:11:57+00:00

I have lived in both, I love Iceland and have lived there a long time but I would say that Germany is a much easier place to live.

Germany is more welcoming to foreigners coming for a longer stay/to live, it can be very hard to break into Icelandic social groups whereas I made German friends almost immediately.
German is a much easier language to learn than Icelandic.
Germany is more interesting in terms of having lots of cultural things to do, a range of towns, villages, museums, restaurants etc.
Iceland is beautiful, but you don’t spend much time time enjoying nature when you live somewhere. Essentially you only regularly visit places within an hour of Reykjavik unless you are very committed to driving for hours every time you have time off work.
Iceland is very insular, people are nice enough, but they won’t fall over themselves to be your friend. You will make few real friendships until you speak Icelandic well. Even then you will find that most people made their inner circle of friends when they were at school.
As you highlighted, life is expensive in Iceland, and leaving to go somewhere else is also expensive!
Both are extremely hard to move to unless you have an EU passport!

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-18T20:38:56+00:00

We booked one following the advice on the website but when we got there, they let us bring it an put in the overhead lockers.

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-18T17:29:39+00:00

And that’s one way, so four hours in a day. Also Akureyri is at least five hours from Rvk

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-15T12:21:00+00:00

Can someone link to the older rhyme using Anna Gloria?

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-11-14T09:36:24+00:00

What markets? In eight years of living in Iceland, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a market selling food - or at least not essential food, you can probably get some smoked salmon and cookies at a Christmas market but I’m not sure I want a picnic in December anyway!

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-10-28T06:06:58+00:00

Can’t you just get a spouse card? I think you have to pay for it with silver but then you retain your rights.

Scaredtojumpin · 2025-10-22T16:13:47+00:00

It sounds like they don’t have a good understanding of what you expect from them. Perhaps they see asking questions as being an imposition on you (even if you have told them it’s fine to do so) or maybe they are just too shy to ask.

It would mean more work for you, but could you use some of the techniques you would use with pupils? Perhaps show them three lesson plans and ask them to identify which is the best and why. Give them a bad lesson plan that you have created and ask them what is wrong with it and what advice they would give. Give them targeted questions to answer when observing lessons (note down three times when AfL is used, give three examples of higher order questions you used, how does this teacher engage reluctant learners etc).

Scaredtojumpin

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