Námsgreinar

Námsgreinar is an Icelandic term that refers to the subject areas or academic subjects taught in schools. It denotes the organized categories of knowledge and skills that students are expected to learn, teach, and be assessed on within the educational system. The concept is used in curriculum design and policy discussions, with learning outcomes and content often defined at the level of individual námsgrein in the national or school-level curriculum. The singular form is námsgrein, while the plural is námsgreinar.

In Icelandic compulsory education, typical námsgreinar include languages (such as Icelandic and foreign languages), mathematics, natural sciences, social studies, arts and crafts, and physical education. In upper secondary education, the range of námsgreinar expands to include additional languages, humanities, sciences, technology, and vocational subjects. The exact set and structure of námsgreinar can vary by grade level and over time as curricula are revised, but the underlying idea remains constant: they are the building blocks of the school curriculum that organize learning across the school years.

The term appears frequently in official education documents, teacher training, and discussions of curriculum development. It provides a framework for describing what students should know and be able to do in each major area of study, supporting consistency while allowing schools some flexibility in how subjects are taught within their local context.