Icelandic ad #3: English classes

[write-light.livejournal.com]

I was excited to see this ad in a very interesting and well-run museum in Hofsós that documents the mass emigration of Icelanders to Canada in the 1870s and 1880s (due to harsh winter and poor economy).  Excited mainly because I teach English to non-natives too, and to see an ad for English teaching from so long ago is quite rare.



Instruction in English.
  Those who want to learn the language both quickly and efficiently, especially America-travelers may receive instruction from Þorlákur O. Johnson, who has been in England for many years, and in London for a long time, where English is widely spoken best.
When one at a time the cost of teaching is two marks or 66 aurars.
When there are two, for each ... 50 aurars.
When three at one time, all for one krona.
If more than three, then by arrangement.
Reykjavik, 21 September 1876.
Þorlákur O. Johnson.

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Comments

[aprilstarchild.livejournal.com]

So in 2011 my boyfriend and I did a long bicycle tour. For a significant portion of the trip's miles we biked through the prairie provinces of Canada, and in rural Saskatchewan along the Yellowhead Highway, in the TINY town of Elfros, we found an Icelandic Pioneer Memorial.

I took nine photos, the first is this one (http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanadventureleaguepdx/6077160215/in/set-72157626947821176).

When we went to Winnipeg, the university has murals from the many native and immigrant people that settled that part of Canada. I should have taken a photo of the one for Iceland. If you look up "New Iceland" on wikipedia there's tons of fascinating information. The town of Gimli in Manitoba has an Icelandic festival every year and still prints a newspaper in Icelandic. I met a guy while we were in Winnipeg who took photos at the festival; his family was part of the wave of immigrants from Iceland in the 1870's. He visited Iceland the summer before I met him, and was able to find the farmstead some of his ancestors came from. While he was in Iceland, people would hear his story and cheerfully announce, "We're probably related!"

(I told you I spent a few years in Iceland, right? On the now-defunct NATO base because my dad was in the US Navy? This is why I'm obsessed with Iceland.)

[write-light.livejournal.com]

Oh how cool! The other end of the story! :D Yes, there was a lot about Gimli and "New Iceland" at the museum - it's cool to see it in your pics.

[bluebear2.livejournal.com]

Right, Gimli. Most people know it from this movie:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096218/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

[misstia]

That's awesome!!

And for reasons unknown, this and other posts, did not show on friend's page yesterday! (Note to self: just go to vintage ads! :)