A1 Level
The A1 level is the beginner level for learning the German language. This level is designed for learners who have little to no prior knowledge of German. At the A1 level, learners acquire basic communication skills and can handle simple, everyday interactions.
Skills Acquired at A1 Level
Listening: Can understand familiar words and very basic phrases concerning themselves, their family, and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.
Reading: Can recognize familiar names, words, and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues.
Speaking: Can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where they live and people they know.
In addition to this, Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
Writing: Can write a short, simple emails, for example, sending holiday greetings or replying to invitation emails.
Can fill in forms with personal details, for example, entering their name, nationality, and address on a hotel registration form.
A2 Level
The A2 level is the elementary level for learning the German language. At this level, learners build upon the basics acquired in the A1 level and develop the ability to handle simple, routine tasks and interactions.
Skills Acquired at A2 Level
Listening: Can understand phrases and commonly used expressions related to areas of immediate relevance (e.g., very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment).
Can catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements.
Reading: Can read very short, simple texts and find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus, and timetables. Also can understand short, simple personal letters.
Speaking: Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities.
Can handle very short social exchanges, even though they can't usually understand enough to keep the conversation going themselves.
Writing: Can write short, simple notes and messages relating to matters in areas of immediate need.
Can write a very simple personal letter, for example thanking someone for something.
B1 Level
The B1 level is the intermediate level for learning the German language. At this stage, learners can handle a wide range of situations and express themselves with greater confidence and complexity.
Proficiency Description
At the B1 level, learners should be able to:
Understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
Deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling in a German-speaking area.
Produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.
Describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions, and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
Listening Skills
Learners can:
Understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters.
Follow the gist of conversations involving everyday topics or those related to personal interests.
Understand the main points of many radio or TV programs on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest when the delivery is relatively slow and clear.
Reading Skills
Learners can:
Understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language.
Understand the description of events, feelings, and wishes in personal letters.
Scan longer texts to locate desired information and gather information from different parts of a text, or from different texts to fulfil a specific task.
Speaking Skills
Learners can:
Connect phrases in a simple way to describe experiences and events, their dreams, hopes, and ambitions.
Briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
Narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or film and describe their reactions.
Writing Skills
Learners can:
Write simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.
Write personal letters describing experiences and impressions.
Write short reports in a standard format on familiar topics.
B2 Level
The B2 level is the upper-intermediate level for learning the German language. At this stage, learners can understand and use more complex language, engage in fluent conversations on a variety of topics, and express their opinions clearly.
Proficiency Description
At the B2 level, learners should be able to:
Understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization.
Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
Produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Listening Skills
Learners can:
Understand extended speech and lectures and follow even complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar.
Understand most TV news and current affairs programs.
Understand the majority of films in standard dialect.
Reading Skills
Learners can:
Read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes or viewpoints.
Understand contemporary literary prose.
Speaking Skills
Learners can:
Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
Take an active part in discussions in familiar contexts, accounting for and sustaining their views.
Present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to their field of interest.
Explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Writing Skills
Learners can:
Write clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects related to their interests.
Write an essay or report, passing on information or giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view.
Write letters highlighting the personal significance of events and experiences.
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