Faroese pupils struggle with limited vocabulary

Many children entering first grade in the Faroe Islands have a severely limited vocabulary, warns Jacob Eli S. Olsen, chair of the Faroese Teachers’ Association, citing recent studies.

Speaking to Faroese public broadcaster KVF, Olsen said the issue risks putting pupils at a disadvantage in many aspects of life. While multiple factors contribute, excessive screen time is a clear cause, he said.

Current efforts in schools must continue, Olsen added, but parents must also take greater responsibility at home. Fridrikka Kjeld, chair of the Special Needs Teachers’ Association, confirmed that language skills among new first-grade pupils continue to deteriorate.

Olsen stressed that the problem extends beyond the first year of schooling.