Immigrants and Icelandic Language Tests.

Abstract

An increasing number of European countries use language tests for immigrants applying for citizenship. Such tests were introduced into Iceland in 2009. The number of immigrants in Iceland increased rapidly between 1990 and 2010. The three most frequent first languages among these immigrants are probably (in alphabetic order) English, Lithuanian, and Polish. Icelandic policy makers stress the importance of learning Icelandic, and government supports Icelandic language courses for adult foreigners. The overt rationale for this policy refers on the one hand to the principles of Icelandic language policy (the preservation of Icelandic, Icelandic being the principal common communication code in Iceland), and on the other hand to democratic and practical arguments (Icelandic as the key to Icelandic society, immigrants having better knowledge of their rights if they understand the national language, immigrants doing better in the labor market if they master Icelandic). These arguments were referred to when the law on Icelandic language tests for citizenship applicants was passed. About 800 applicants for Icelandic citizenship took the Icelandic language tests in 2009–2010. On average, about 94% of them passed the tests. The proficiency level required is approximately (or slightly higher than) A-1, i.e. the lowest level on the CEFR scale (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). 

Keywords: immigrants, foreigners, citizenship, Icelandic language tests, language policy