Here are some important tips for successfully preparing and performing well in

the B1 TELC German exam:

1. Speaking Test Tips (Sprechen)
 Practice with a Partner: Find a language partner to simulate the test,
especially the partner work (dialogue) section. This will help you get used
to responding spontaneously.
 Structure Your Answers: When answering questions or giving a
presentation, use structured sentences with clear points. For example:
o Einleitung (Introduction): Start with a brief introduction or
summary of your point.
o Begründung (Reasoning): Give reasons for your opinions or
statements.
o Schluss (Conclusion): End with a conclusion or final thought.

 Use Connectors: Use connectors like „erstens, zweitens, schließlich“

(first, second, finally) to structure your thoughts. This shows clear
organization.
 Speak Clearly and Slowly: Don’t rush. Take your time to think, and
speak clearly. It’s better to have pauses than to speak too fast and make
mistakes.
 Express Opinions: If you’re asked for your opinion, start with phrases
like:
o „Meiner Meinung nach …“ (In my opinion…)

o „Ich denke, dass …“ (I think that…)

 Practice Describing Pictures: Use specific phrases for describing

people, places, and actions. For example:
o „Im Vordergrund/In der Mitte/Im Hintergrund sehe ich …“ (In
the foreground/In the middle/In the background, I see...)
o „Es sieht so aus, als ob …“ (It looks like…)

2. Listening Test Tips (Hören)

 Listen to German Daily: Improve your listening skills by listening to
German radio, podcasts, or news programs like Deutsche Welle or ARD.
Choose topics that interest you to make it more enjoyable.
 Focus on Keywords: During the listening section, don’t try to understand
every word. Focus on key phrases and main ideas. You will often hear
the most important information repeated.
 Read the Questions First: Quickly scan the questions before listening,
so you know what to focus on during the recording.
  Listen for Context: Sometimes understanding the context of a
conversation (e.g., a hotel booking, giving directions) can help you answer
even if you miss some details.

3. Reading Test Tips (Lesen)

 Skim the Text First: For longer texts, skim to get the main idea, then go
back and read carefully to find the answers.
 Highlight Key Information: When reading multiple-choice questions or
filling in blanks, underline or highlight key words and phrases in the text.
 Practice with Different Types of Texts: Make sure to practice reading
articles, letters, emails, and advertisements. The B1 TELC exam covers a
variety of text types.

4. Writing Test Tips (Schreiben)

 Learn the Format: You will likely have to write a formal letter, an
informal letter, or both. Make sure you know the basic format:
o Formal: „Sehr geehrte/r …“ (Dear …) and „Mit freundlichen
Grüßen“ (Sincerely).
o Informal: „Lieber/Liebe …“ (Dear …) and „Viele Grüße“ (Best
regards).
 Use Connectors in Writing: Similar to the speaking test, use connectors
to link your ideas. For example:
o „zuerst“ (first), „dann“ (then), „danach“ (after that),
„schließlich“ (finally).
 Pay Attention to Word Count: Stay within the required word count.
Write concisely but with enough detail.
 Practice Writing Emails and Letters: Write practice letters and get
feedback. Make sure you know the difference between formal and informal
language.
 Common Phrases for Writing:
o „Ich freue mich auf Ihre Antwort.“ (I look forward to your reply.)

o „Vielen Dank im Voraus.“ (Thank you in advance.)

o „Ich möchte mich über … informieren.“ (I would like to get

information about …)

5. Grammar Tips
  Focus on Tenses: Make sure you are comfortable using past (Perfekt),
present (Präsens), and future (Futur) tenses. B1-level exams often involve
discussing events that have happened or will happen.
 Pay Attention to Word Order: In particular, focus on the word order
with subordinating conjunctions (like „weil, wenn, obwohl“), where the
verb moves to the end of the clause.
 Learn Important Verbs with Prepositions: Many verbs require specific
prepositions, like „sich freuen auf“ (to look forward to), „interessiert
sein an“ (to be interested in), and „warten auf“ (to wait for). Practice
using them correctly.

6. General Preparation Tips

 Simulate the Exam: Take practice exams under timed conditions to get a
feel for the pace and format of the actual exam. Familiarize yourself with
each part of the exam: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
 Use Apps and Tools: Apps like Duolingo, Memrise, or Babbel can be
helpful for daily practice. Websites like Goethe-Institut and Deutsch
Akademie also offer online exercises.
 Review Mistakes: Learn from your mistakes by reviewing incorrect
answers in your practice tests. Focus on areas where you struggle the
most.
 Study Vocabulary by Themes: Focus on B1-level themes like travel,
work, shopping, health, daily routines, and family life. Learn useful
words and phrases around these topics.

7. Mindset and Test-Day Tips

 Stay Calm: If you don’t understand a question, stay calm and try to
answer based on context. You don’t need to be perfect; you just need to
show that you can communicate at a B1 level.
 Give Yourself Time: On the exam day, get to the test center early to
settle in. During the test, manage your time carefully and don’t spend too
long on any one question.
 Practice with a Timer: Before the exam, practice writing and speaking
with a timer so you can manage your time effectively during the exam.

By following these tips and practicing regularly, you'll be better prepared to take
on the B1 TELC German exam with confidence. Viel Erfolg! (Good luck!)
Here are some useful tips to help you succeed in the Reading Test (Lesen)
for the B1 TELC German exam:

1. Understand the Test Structure

The B1 TELC reading test generally includes the following types of texts:
 Short texts (advertisements, emails, or messages)
 Medium-length texts (newspaper articles, short reports, or instructions)
 Long texts (essays, letters, or informational texts)
You’ll need to answer different types of questions, such as:
 Multiple-choice questions
 True/false questions
 Fill-in-the-blank questions

2. Skim the Text First (Überfliegen)

 Skimming means reading quickly to get the general idea or "gist" of the
text. Don’t focus on every word during the first read-through. Look for
headings, key phrases, and main points. This gives you a basic
understanding of the text's topic.
 Look at the Questions First: Before reading the text in detail, read the
questions. This way, you’ll know what to look for when skimming, and
you can focus on finding the right information faster.

3. Scan for Specific Information (Details finden)

 Scanning means looking for specific information, such as dates, numbers,
names, or particular facts. Once you know what the questions are asking,
go back to the text and scan for the details you need.
 Highlight or Underline Key Words: When you find important
information (like a date or a name that relates to the question), highlight it
or underline it. This makes it easier to locate the information when
answering the questions.

4. Focus on Key Vocabulary

 Identify Important Words: Often, you will not understand every word in
the text. Don’t worry! Focus on understanding the key words or phrases
that are necessary to answer the question. Look for verbs and nouns that
convey the main idea.
  Guess the Meaning from Context: If you don’t know a word, try to
guess its meaning by looking at the sentences around it. Use context to
help you understand the overall meaning of the passage.
 Don’t Panic Over Unknown Words: It’s normal to encounter unfamiliar
words. Don’t let them distract you; you can often answer questions by
understanding the general meaning of the text without knowing every
word.

5. Time Management
 Pace Yourself: Don’t spend too much time on any single question. The
reading test is timed, so manage your time effectively. Aim to spend
more time on longer or more difficult texts, and less time on shorter,
easier ones.
 Answer the Easier Questions First: If you’re stuck on a question, skip
it and come back later. Answer the questions you know first, so you don’t
waste valuable time on more difficult ones.
 Leave Time to Review: If possible, leave a few minutes at the end to
review your answers and make sure you didn’t miss any questions.

6. Understand Different Text Types

The exam might include different types of texts. It’s important to practice
reading various kinds of materials before the exam:
 Advertisements (Werbungen): These often contain short, concise
information. Look for specific details like prices, dates, or locations.
 Emails/Letters (Briefe): Pay attention to the structure (greeting, body,
and closing), and focus on the purpose of the email (e.g., an invitation,
request, or information).
 Articles (Artikel): Practice reading newspaper articles or blog posts.
Articles often contain opinions or facts about current events, so focus on
the main ideas and supporting arguments.
 Instructions/Manuals (Anleitungen): These often include steps or
numbered lists. Look for key words that indicate sequence, like „zuerst“
(first), „dann“ (then), „schließlich“ (finally).

7. Look Out for False Friends and Traps

 False Friends: These are words that look similar to words in your native
language but have different meanings. For example, „aktuell“ in German
means "current," not "actually."
 Tricky Questions: Sometimes, test questions are designed to mislead.
Make sure you understand the entire sentence or paragraph before
 selecting an answer. Watch out for words like „nicht“ (not), which can
completely change the meaning of a sentence.

8. Practice Inference (Schlussfolgerungen ziehen)

 Sometimes the answer is not stated directly in the text. You may need to
infer or draw conclusions based on what is implied. For example, if a
text says, „Er hat den Bus verpasst und kam deshalb zu spät zur
Arbeit“, you can infer that he was late to work because he missed the
bus.

9. Practice with Authentic Materials

 Practice Reading German Newspapers or Magazines: Read simple
German-language newspapers like „Deutsche Welle“, or websites with
beginner articles like „Nachrichtenleicht.de“. These will expose you to
different text types similar to those you’ll encounter on the exam.
 Use TELC Practice Tests: Find and use TELC B1 practice reading
exams online or in preparation books. This will help you become familiar
with the question types and exam format.

10. Improve Your Vocabulary and Grammar

 Focus on Common Vocabulary: Familiarize yourself with B1-level
vocabulary related to common topics like work, travel, health, daily
life, and current events. Practice reading texts related to these themes.
 Grammar Awareness: Sometimes, understanding the grammar in a
sentence helps you choose the right answer. For example, recognizing
tenses (past, present, or future) will help you understand when actions
took place.

11. Avoid Rushing

 Read Carefully: Sometimes, you may think you know the answer, but
upon closer reading, you realize it was a trick question. Read carefully
before selecting an answer.
 Double-Check Your Answers: Make sure your answer matches the
question. For true/false questions, make sure you understand the
statement completely before deciding.

12. Pay Attention to Word Order and Context

 In German, word order is important for meaning. A simple change in word
order can alter the whole sentence. For example:
 o „Er hat das Auto verkauft.“ (He sold the car.)

o „Das Auto hat er verkauft.“ (He sold the car.)

Both sentences mean the same thing but emphasize different parts. Pay
attention to this during the reading test.

By practicing these strategies and incorporating them into your reading

exercises, you'll be more prepared and confident for the B1 TELC reading
exam.

Here are some sentence-making tips to help you construct clear and effective
sentences for the B1 TELC German exam, whether you're speaking or writing:

1. Keep Sentences Simple but Varied

 While it’s good to aim for complex sentences to show your language skills,
don’t make them too complicated. At B1 level, it’s important to
communicate clearly. Start with simple sentences, and then gradually
combine them with connectors for more complexity.
 Example:
o Simple: „Ich gehe heute ins Kino.“ (I am going to the cinema
today.)
o More Complex: „Ich gehe heute ins Kino, weil mein Freund den
neuen Film sehen will.“ (I am going to the cinema today because my
friend wants to see the new movie.)

2. Use Connectors to Extend Sentences

 Connectors help you link ideas smoothly and are essential for structuring
your sentences logically. Here are a few connectors and how to use them:
o „und“ (and): Links related ideas.

 Example: „Ich lerne Deutsch, und ich lese jeden Tag ein
Buch.“ (I am learning German, and I read a book every day.)
o „aber“ (but): Shows contrast.

 Example: „Ich möchte ins Kino gehen, aber ich habe keine
Zeit.“ (I want to go to the cinema, but I have no time.)
o „weil“ (because): Provides reasons. Remember that weil sends
the verb to the end.
  Example: „Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde bin.“ (I am
staying at home because I am tired.)
o „denn“ (because): A more straightforward alternative to weil,
where the word order does not change.
 Example: „Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin müde.“ (I am
staying at home because I am tired.)
o „deshalb“ (therefore): Shows cause and effect.

 Example: „Es regnet, deshalb nehme ich einen

Regenschirm.“ (It’s raining, therefore I’m taking an umbrella.)

3. Use Subordinate Clauses for More Complex Sentences

 Subordinate clauses (Nebensätze) are important for more advanced
sentences. They often start with words like „dass“ (that), „wenn“
(if/when), „obwohl“ (although), etc. Remember that the verb goes to
the end of the subordinate clause.
o „dass“ (that):

 Example: „Ich denke, dass er heute kommt.“ (I think that he

is coming today.)
o „wenn“ (if/when):

 Example: „Wenn es morgen regnet, bleiben wir zu Hause.“

(If it rains tomorrow, we will stay home.)
o „obwohl“ (although):

 Example: „Obwohl ich müde bin, gehe ich spazieren.“

(Although I am tired, I am going for a walk.)

4. Pay Attention to Word Order in German Sentences

 German has specific word order rules, especially when using
subordinating conjunctions. In main clauses, the verb is usually in the
second position, but in subordinate clauses (introduced by words like
weil, dass, wenn), the verb moves to the end.
o Main clause: „Ich gehe heute ins Kino.“ (I am going to the cinema
today.)
o Subordinate clause: „Ich gehe ins Kino, weil mein Freund den
neuen Film sehen will.“ (I am going to the cinema because my
friend wants to see the new movie.)
If you start with a time expression or another element, the verb still stays in
second position:
 o Example: „Heute gehe ich ins Kino.“ (Today, I am going to the
cinema.)

5. Use Modal Verbs to Express Ability, Permission, or Obligation

 Modal verbs such as „können“ (can), „müssen“ (must), „wollen“
(want to) are useful to express what you can, must, or want to do.
Remember that the main verb goes to the end in sentences with modal
verbs.
o „können“ (can):

 Example: „Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.“ (I can speak

German.)
o „müssen“ (must):

 Example: „Ich muss jeden Tag lernen.“ (I must study every

day.)
o „wollen“ (want to):

 Example: „Ich will nach Deutschland reisen.“ (I want to

travel to Germany.)

6. Practice with Descriptive Sentences

 When describing something (like in a picture description task), use
adjectives and descriptive language. This is common in the B1 exam.
Remember, adjectives can come before the noun (and need to match the
gender and case of the noun), or you can use them after the verb.
o Example (Before the Noun): „Das ist ein schöner Park.“ (That is a
beautiful park.)
o Example (After the Verb): „Der Park ist schön.“ (The park is
beautiful.)
 Use adjectives in comparative forms to show differences:
o „Mein Haus ist größer als dein Haus.“ (My house is bigger than
your house.)

7. Use Time Expressions to Show Sequence

 It’s useful to show the order of events using time expressions like
„zuerst“ (first), „dann“ (then), „danach“ (afterwards),
„schließlich“ (finally). These help guide the listener or reader through
the sequence of your actions or events.
 o Example: „Zuerst esse ich Frühstück, dann gehe ich zur Arbeit, und
danach treffe ich meine Freunde.“ (First, I eat breakfast, then I go to
work, and after that, I meet my friends.)

8. Use Phrases to Express Opinions

 In the speaking or writing parts, you might need to express your
opinions or feelings. Start with simple opinion phrases like:
o „Ich denke, dass …“ (I think that…)

 Example: „Ich denke, dass der Film interessant ist.“ (I think

that the movie is interesting.)
o „Meiner Meinung nach …“ (In my opinion…)

 Example: „Meiner Meinung nach ist das Wetter heute

schön.“ (In my opinion, the weather is nice today.)

9. Vary Your Sentence Length

 Mix short and long sentences to create a more natural flow. Too many
short sentences can sound robotic, while too many long sentences can be
confusing. Try combining two shorter sentences into one longer one
using conjunctions like „und“, „aber“, „weil“.
o Short: „Ich bin müde. Ich gehe schlafen.“ (I am tired. I am going to
sleep.)
o Combined: „Ich bin müde, deshalb gehe ich schlafen.“ (I am tired,
therefore I am going to sleep.)

10. Review and Use Correct Grammar and Tenses

 Tenses: At the B1 level, you should be able to use the present tense
(Präsens), past tense (Perfekt), and future tense (Futur) confidently.
o Present: „Ich lerne Deutsch.“ (I am learning German.)

o Past (Perfekt): „Ich habe Deutsch gelernt.“ (I have learned

German.)
o Future: „Ich werde morgen Deutsch lernen.“ (I will learn German
tomorrow.)
 Personal Pronouns: Make sure you are comfortable with personal
pronouns (ich, du, er/sie/es, wir, ihr, sie) and the correct verb forms
that go with them.

11. Practice Regularly

  Writing Practice: Write simple texts every day about topics like your
daily routine, your family, or a recent trip. Then gradually make your
sentences longer by using the tips above.
 Speaking Practice: Practice making sentences aloud using different
tenses and connectors. Speaking regularly helps you build confidence and
fluency.

Writing Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes candidates make in the B1 TELC writing
exam, along with examples and corrections:

1. Incorrect Word Order (Especially in Subordinate Clauses)

Mistake:
 Many candidates struggle with word order in subordinate clauses
(Nebensätze), where the verb needs to go to the end of the sentence.
Example (Incorrect):
 „Ich denke, dass ich morgen gehe ins Kino.“
(I think that I will go to the cinema tomorrow.)
Correction:
 „Ich denke, dass ich morgen ins Kino gehe.“

2. Incorrect Use of Articles (der/die/das)

Mistake:
 Articles in German (definite and indefinite) must match the gender and
case of the noun. Many learners confuse these, especially in the
accusative and dative cases.
Example (Incorrect):
 „Ich kaufe ein Buch für der Mann.“
(I am buying a book for the man.)
Correction:
 „Ich kaufe ein Buch für den Mann.“
(Accusative case: „der Mann“ changes to „den Mann“.)

3. Confusing Prepositions and Their Cases

Mistake:
  Some prepositions in German require the accusative case, while others
require the dative case. Misusing these cases is a common mistake.
Example (Incorrect):
 „Ich gehe mit mein Freund ins Kino.“
(I am going to the cinema with my friend.)
Correction:
 „Ich gehe mit meinem Freund ins Kino.“
(Preposition „mit“ takes the dative case: „mein Freund“ becomes
„meinem Freund“.)

4. Misuse of Verb Conjugations

Mistake:
 Candidates sometimes use the incorrect conjugation for verbs, especially
irregular verbs or verbs that change their stem in different tenses.
Example (Incorrect):
 „Ich finde, dass er hat viele Freunde.“
(I think that he has many friends.)
Correction:
 „Ich finde, dass er viele Freunde hat.“
(In a subordinate clause, the verb goes to the end: „hat“.)

5. Overuse of Simple Sentences

Mistake:
 Writing too many short, simple sentences without using connectors
makes your text sound basic and repetitive.
Example (Incorrect):
 „Ich gehe ins Kino. Ich mag Filme. Mein Freund kommt auch.“
(I am going to the cinema. I like movies. My friend is also coming.)
Correction:
 „Ich gehe ins Kino, weil ich Filme mag, und mein Freund kommt auch.“
(Using connectors like „weil“ and „und“ creates a more complex
sentence.)

6. Not Using Correct Tenses

Mistake:
  Confusion between present, past, and future tenses often occurs, leading
to sentences that don’t make sense in context.
Example (Incorrect):
 „Gestern gehe ich ins Kino.“
(Yesterday, I am going to the cinema.)
Correction:
 „Gestern bin ich ins Kino gegangen.“
(Use the past tense: „bin … gegangen“ for past events.)

7. Incorrect Negation (nicht/kein)

Mistake:
 Learners sometimes confuse „nicht“ and „kein“. „Kein“ is used to
negate nouns with an indefinite article or no article, while „nicht“
negates everything else (verbs, adjectives, definite nouns).
Example (Incorrect):
 „Ich habe nicht einen Hund.“
(I do not have a dog.)
Correction:
 „Ich habe keinen Hund.“
(„Kein“ is used because you are negating the noun „Hund“.)

8. Incorrect Word Choices (False Friends)

Mistake:
 German has many false friends—words that look similar to English but
have different meanings. Relying on these can lead to misunderstandings.
Example (Incorrect):
 „Ich bin aktuell müde.“
(I am actually tired.)
Correction:
 „Ich bin tatsächlich müde.“
(„Aktuell“ means „currently“ or „at the moment,“ not „actually.“ The
correct word is „tatsächlich“.)

9. Lack of Agreement between Subject and Verb

Mistake:
 Sometimes, the verb does not agree with the subject in number or person.
Example (Incorrect):
 „Die Leute ist sehr nett.“
(The people is very nice.)
Correction:
 „Die Leute sind sehr nett.“
(„Leute“ is plural, so the verb should be „sind.“)

10. Not Answering All Parts of the Question

Mistake:
 Some candidates fail to address all parts of the task in the writing section,
losing marks for incomplete responses.
Example (Incorrect Task Response):
 Task: Write about your weekend, mentioning what you did and who you
met.
 Response: „Ich bin ins Kino gegangen.“
(I went to the cinema.)
Correction:
 „Ich bin ins Kino gegangen und habe dort meinen Freund getroffen. Wir
haben einen spannenden Film gesehen.“
(Answer all parts of the task by also mentioning who you met.)

11. Misusing Reflexive Verbs

Mistake:
 Reflexive verbs in German require a reflexive pronoun (like „mich,“ „dich,“
etc.). Learners often forget these or use them incorrectly.
Example (Incorrect):
 „Ich wasche jeden Morgen.“
(I wash every morning.)
Correction:
 „Ich wasche mich jeden Morgen.“
(For actions you do to yourself, use a reflexive pronoun.)

12. Poor Use of Time Expressions

Mistake:
 Learners sometimes use incorrect or awkward time expressions, affecting
the clarity of their writing.
Example (Incorrect):
 „Ich werde in Morgen ins Kino gehen.“
(I will go to the cinema in the morning.)
Correction:
 „Ich werde morgen früh ins Kino gehen.“
(Use „morgen“ or „morgen früh“ for „in the morning.“)

General Tips to Avoid Writing Mistakes:

 Plan before writing: Spend a few minutes planning your answer to
ensure you cover all the points required.
 Review basic grammar: Make sure you're confident with word order,
cases, and verb conjugations.
 Use a variety of sentence structures: Combine short and long
sentences to make your writing more dynamic and interesting.
 Re-read your writing: Always leave time to review your writing for
common errors like incorrect articles, verb placement, or missing words.
 Practice writing in German regularly: The more you practice, the
more natural it will feel to write without these mistakes.

Umlaut Pronunciation
Here’s how to correctly pronounce German umlauts (ä, ö, ü):
1. „Ä“ (as in „Mädchen“)
 Pronunciation: Similar to the English "e" in "bed" or "bet."
o Example: „Mädchen“ (girl) = „meh-dchen“

o Another example: „Bären“ (bears) = „beh-ren“

2. „Ö“ (as in „schön“)

 Pronunciation: A sound between the English "e" in "her" and "oe"
in "go." Round your lips as if saying "o," but try to produce an "e"
sound.
o Example: „Schön“ (beautiful) = „shurn“ (with lips rounded)

o Another example: „Können“ (can) = „kurn-nun“

3. „Ü“ (as in „grün“)

 Pronunciation: A sound between the English "ee" in "see" and "u"
in "fur." Round your lips as if saying "u," but try to make an "ee"
sound.
 o Example: „Grün“ (green) = „grewn“ (with lips rounded)

o Another example: „Müde“ (tired) = „myoo-duh“

Practice Tip:
 For „ö“, start by saying the vowel in "go" and then round your lips
tighter, aiming for a more closed sound.
 For „ü“, try saying "ee" in "see" while rounding your lips, as
though you were saying "u."