Learning German
Let’s be honest. Most “study plans” are either too vague (“immerse more!”) or too intense (four hours a day or you’ve “failed”) 🙄 This guide is the middle path: one focused hour a day, 5–6 days a week, plus one longer weekly session. It’s realistic, repeatable, and it works.
What | Details |
Exams covered | Goethe (A2–C1) and telc (A2–C1, incl. C1 Hochschule) |
What you get | Realistic prep timelines, one-hour study plans per level, and curated resources for reading, listening, writing, speaking |
Quick difference | Goethe is modular (you can take modules separately). telc often includes a “language elements” section (vocab/grammar in context). C1 Hochschule targets university requirements. |
If you want… | Pick | Why |
Flexibility to retake a single skill | Goethe | Separate modules (R, L, W, S). Easy to target a weak area. |
One sitting, compact format | telc | Written + oral. Often includes a grammar/vocab component. |
University acceptance in Germany | telc C1 Hochschule | Built for academic use; widely accepted for admission. |
Everyone learns at a different pace. These ranges are realistic if you study consistently.
Level | Typical runway | What that looks like |
A2 | ~2–6 months after A1 (≈150–250 focused hours) | Basics on autopilot: daily life, short notes, simple calls |
B1 | ~3–9 months after A2 (+150–250 hours) | Handle everyday life comfortably; give short opinions |
B2 | ~4–12 months after B1 (+200–300 hours) | Longer texts, real debates, structured writing |
C1 | ~6–12+ months after B2 (+200–300 hours) | Academic/professional fluency; nuanced arguments |
How to schedule: Do the one-hour plan below 5–6 days/week. Add one 2–3 hour session weekly for a mock exam and writing.
What A2 checks (in plain language):
Can you handle simple real life? Read a basic email, write a short message, understand an announcement, and talk about plans with a partner.
Block | Minutes | What you do | “Done” looks like |
Core lesson | 12 | DW Nicos Weg A2 or Lingoda small-group class | You finish the full lesson path (video + tasks) |
Grammar bite | 10 | One topic (e.g., accusative vs dative) with 5–8 reps | You produce 3 correct example sentences |
Slow news | 12 | Nachrichtenleicht: listen → shadow → re-listen | You can mimic rhythm and catch the gist |
Vocabulary | 8 | 8–12 cards (Anki or your deck) with example sentences | You recall meaning + say your own example |
Pronunciation/speaking | 8 | Record yourself on a mini-dialog; focus on tricky sounds | You sound closer to the model (even 10% counts) |
Mini-writing + check | 10 | 60–80 word message + Reverso verb check | Zero obvious verb mistakes |
If you have 10 extra minutes: Read your message out loud and fix anything that “sounds off.”
Common A2 mistakes (and quick fixes)
Articles everywhere? Pick one pattern per week. Example: in + dem → im. Use it 10× that week.
Translating in your head? Pre-learn set phrases (e.g., “Ich hätte gern…”, “Könnten Sie…”). It’s legal cheating.
Avoiding speaking? Use voice notes to yourself or a tandem partner. Micro wins beat silence.
Resource | Use it for | Link | Pro tip |
Nicos Weg (A1–B1) | Structured base | Do video → tasks → grammar/vocab summary. | |
Lingoda | Live speaking | Book a communication class to force output. | |
Nachrichtenleicht | Slow audio + transcript | Shadow one paragraph, not the whole piece. | |
Grammatik aktiv A1–B1 | Bite-size grammar | One page explain + one page exercises. | |
Reverso conjugation | Fast verb fixes | Save hard verbs to “favorites.” | |
Anki decks | Vocab with audio | https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/52409495 • https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/293204297 | Always add your own example sentence. |
Self-check (A2): If you can plan a weekend (where, when, with whom, cost) without freezing, you’re on track.
What B1 really tests:
Can you function independently? Read blog posts and letters, write an email or forum post, handle a short presentation, and plan together with a partner.
Block | Minutes | What you do | “Done” looks like |
Podcast (with transcript) | 10 | Easy German first pass with transcript | You highlight 5 phrases you like |
Official practice task | 10 | Rotate reading/listening/writing (Goethe/telc) | You finish within the time box |
Grammar workout | 10 | One pain point (e.g., weil word order) | You write 4 correct sentences |
Vocabulary | 8 | Collocations + connectors (zudem, allerdings…) | You reuse them in the next block |
Output | 12 | 2-min recorded monologue + 10-min self Q&A | You speak without long pauses |
News → summary | 10 | News in Slow German → 3–4 sentence summary | You capture the key idea in German |
If you have 10 extra minutes: Do a partner planning role play (picnic, trip, event) and agree on who does what.
Common B1 mistakes (and quick fixes)
Endless simple sentences? Force connectors: “Ich finde X, weil… Außerdem…”
Listening panic? Read questions first, then listen for keywords only.
Writing drift? Use a mini template: Greeting → reason for writing → 2–3 points → closing phrase.
Resource | Use it for | Link | Pro tip |
Goethe B1 practice hub | Official tasks | Do one micro-task per day. | |
telc B1 overview + models | Format + mocks | https://www.telc.net/en/candidates/language-exams/tests/detail/telc-deutsch-b1 | Time yourself strictly. |
Easy German podcast | Real speech + transcript | Re-listen later without a transcript. | |
News in Slow German | Graded current affairs | Turn new words into collocations (2–3 words). | |
DW “Das sagt man so!” | Idioms | In podcast apps | Pick 1 idiom/week. Use it 5×. |
Self-check (B1): If you can record a two-minute opinion (topic + reason + example) without notes, you’re ready.
What B2 expects:
You can handle complexity: longer texts, interviews, structured essays/letters, and defend a point of view in a real discussion.
Block | Minutes | What you do | “Done” looks like |
Headline scan | 10 | ZDFheute or Tagesschau → note 3 headlines | You can explain each headline in 1–2 sentences |
Explainer video | 10 | MrWissen2go Geschichte → pause/rewind | You capture 3 facts in notes |
Reading aloud | 10 | 2–3 pages (blog/essay) → mark 6–8 phrases | You keep rhythm; fewer stumbles |
Grammar top-up | 8 | One B2 topic (Konjunktiv II, passives, clauses) | You use it in the next block |
Speaking drill | 12 | 2–3 min argument → 2–3 min counter-argument | You signpost (erstens/zweitens/abschließend) |
Writing | 10 | One argumentative paragraph → quick edit | Clear structure + 2 connectors |
If you have 10 extra minutes: Swap your paragraph with a partner and only edit connectors and structure.
Common B2 mistakes (and quick fixes)
Over-translating English phrases? Collect German collocations (einen Antrag stellen, eine Entscheidung treffen).
Time sink in reading? Set micro-timers per text. If stuck, mark best guess, move on.
Monologue-only speaking? Practice interaction: invite, react, disagree politely.
Resource | Use it for | Link | Pro tip |
Goethe B2 info | Modules + criteria | Read how writing is scored. Aim there. | |
telc B2 info | Format + language elements | https://www.telc.net/en/candidates/language-exams/tests/detail/telc-deutsch-b2 | Do the cloze tasks often. |
ARTE Mediathek | Native-rate docs | Short segments (5–8 min) beat marathons. | |
Grammatik aktiv B2/C1 | High-yield grammar | One grammar focus per day is enough. | |
Tagesschau / ZDFheute | Daily news | Use headlines to trigger speaking drills. | |
MrWissen2go Geschichte | Clear explainer content | Repeat key sentences out loud. |
Self-check (B2): If you can argue both sides of a topic for 2–3 minutes each, you’re B2-solid.
What C1 demands:
You’re comfortably fluent in complex topics. You can read dense texts, present clearly, and write in a formal/academic register without slipping into casual language.
Block | Minutes | What you do | “Done” looks like |
News deep-dive | 10 | ZDFheute analysis or Tagesschau report | 4–5 bullet outline (claim, evidence, implication) |
Documentary | 10 | ARTE segment → identify stance/counterpoints | You note one argument you disagree with |
Academic read | 10 | 2–3 pages → 5-sentence summary or abstract | You keep a formal tone |
Grammar polish | 8 | Reported speech, participles, nominalizations | You rewrite 2 casual lines into formal style |
Speaking | 12 | 3-min mini-lecture + short Q&A simulation | Clear intro → 2 points → conclusion |
Writing | 10 | 180–250-word position piece → edit cohesion | Connectors upgraded; no slang |
If you have 10 extra minutes: Practice chart/graph description (common in academic tasks).
Common C1 mistakes (and quick fixes)
Over-complicating sentences? Mix one long + one short. Clarity wins.
Informal leakage (“krass”, “mega”)? Keep a formal synonyms list (jedoch, demnach, folglich).
Perfection freeze? Deliver a clean structure first, then upgrade the language.
Resource | Use it for | Link | Pro tip |
Goethe C1 info | Modular format | Review writing specs before practice. | |
telc C1 Hochschule | Academic focus | https://www.telc.net/en/candidates/language-exams/tests/detail/telc-deutsch-c1-hochschule | Simulate long written blocks. |
ARTE Mediathek | Long-form listening | Take notes like a seminar. | |
Tagesschau / ZDFheute | Daily current affairs | Extract claims and counterclaims. | |
MrWissen2go Geschichte | Clear argumentation | Practice summaries out loud. |
Self-check (C1): If you can deliver a 3-minute mini-lecture with a formal Q&A and maintain register consistency, you’re there.
When | Task | Why it helps |
5–7 days before | One full mock per skill (timed) | Exposes weak spots while there’s time to fix them |
3–4 days before | Build writing templates (email/essay openings; connectors) | Saves minutes under pressure |
2 days before | Speaking drill (presentation + partner discussion) | Reduces pauses; smooths register |
Night before | Pack ID, watch, pencils, water/snack (check rules) | Zero drama in the morning |
Exam morning | 10-min pronunciation warm-up; skim connectors | Clearer speech; cleaner writing |
During exam | Watch the clock, move on if stuck, proofread writing | Prevents easy point losses |
Is Goethe easier than telc?
They certify the same CEFR level. Goethe is modular; telc often includes a language-elements section. Pick based on goals and local availability.
How long should I prepare for B1?
Commonly 3–9 months after A2 with steady weekly study. Run weekly mock tasks to calibrate progress.
What’s the difference between telc C1 and telc C1 Hochschule?
telc C1 is general advanced German. telc C1 Hochschule targets academic tasks and is widely used for university entry.
Where can I find official practice materials?
Both Goethe and telc publish free sample tasks and mock exams on their websites (see links above).
Best free starter resource?
Nicos Weg (A1–B1) plus Nachrichtenleicht for slow audio with transcripts.
Nicos Weg: https://learngerman.dw.com/en/overview
Nachrichtenleicht: https://www.nachrichtenleicht.de/
Easy German podcast: https://www.easygerman.org/podcast
News in Slow German: https://www.newsinslowgerman.com/
ARTE Mediathek: https://www.arte.tv/de/
Tagesschau (ARD): https://www.tagesschau.de/
ZDFheute: https://www.zdfheute.de/
Grammatik aktiv A1–B1: https://www.cornelsen.de/produkte/grammatik-aktiv-verstehen-ueben-sprechen-uebungsgrammatik-a1-b1-9783061229641
Grammatik aktiv B2/C1: https://www.cornelsen.de/produkte/grammatik-aktiv-verstehen-ueben-sprechen-uebungsgrammatik-b2-c1-9783061229658
Reverso conjugation: https://conjugator.reverso.net/conjugation-german.html
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