Why is it important to know the German language levels and how to reach them? Here is an article with all German language levels explained.
Key takeaways
You’ll understand the differences between the German language levels.
You will also learn what it takes to reach a new level. And how long it might take you to get there.
The article covers the basic levels A1 and A2, which are the bare minimum to get along in Germany, based on my experience.
By reaching the independent user levels B1 and B2, you can also have more fluent conversations in your daily life and business.
Last but not least, I will also cover the proficient user levels based on the Goethe Institut tests C1 and C2.
From my experience, it should be your goal to reach at least the German language level C1 so that you are well equipped for work.
Topics in this article
The different levels of the German language >> A1 level in German >> A2 level in German >> B1 level in German >> B2 level in German >> C1 level in German >> C2 level in German >>
What are the different levels of the German language?
Before I dig deeper into each level in the rest of this article, let me begin explaining the different German language levels to you. The levels are there to sort your German knowledge into one of the three broader levels: primary user, independent user, and proficient user.
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) defined the levels. Primary users are in A1 or A2, independent users in B1 or B2, and proficient users in C1 or C2. The higher the number and letter combination, the better your German.
Sometimes the CEFR is also referred to as GERS (Gemeinsamer Europäischer Referenzrahmen für Sprachen). So let me give you an overview of the requirements to reach each level and answer a few questions in the following chapters.
German Language Levels Explained: A1 level in German
The German language level A1 means that you can only communicate familiar topics. The people you talk to need to speak slowly and clearly to you so that you can understand them. You should also be able to have short conversations about everyday situations.
Is A1 in German easy to reach?
Based on my experience, you will need about 70 to 90 hours of lessons to get to language level A1 in German. The A1 and A2 levels are very elementary, and the minimum to have a conversation. You can reach the A1 level with zero knowledge within that timeframe.
German Language Levels Explained: A2 level in German
Now, others can understand when you talk about routine situations at that level. In addition to that, you can ask and answer questions about familiar topics.
Is A2 in German easy to reach?
With roughly eight weeks of intense training and 20 lessons per week, you can advance to the German language level A2. If you put some effort into it, I’d say that level A2 is easy to reach.
German Language Levels Explained: B1 level in German
Your German made tremendous progress as soon as you reached the intermediate level. You can express yourself when it comes to plans and other experiences. In addition, you can justify decisions and almost effortlessly follow a conversation around familiar topics or common themes. Those can be work, travel, school, or leisure.
How difficult is B1 in German to reach?
As soon as you reach level A2 in German, it would help if you learned more about grammar and vocabulary. Based on my experience, the leap between A2 and B1 is big, and your German will improve significantly. Based on that, it’s not as easy as moving from German language level A1 to A2.
How long does it take to get to B1 in German?
If you continue your intense training of about 20 lessons per week, it may take up to ten weeks to reach that level. That also depends on how good your teachers are.
German Language Levels Explained: B2 level in German
The B2 German language level is another huge step forward. You can now understand the critical parts in complex texts, even in abstract topics. In addition, you can communicate clearly and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various positions and options.
How long do I need to get the B2 in German?
Beginning from B1, it may take another ten weeks of intense training to reach the German language level B2. What made a big difference for me was the daily communication with my coworkers and friends. I learned many colloquial language terms or “Umgangssprache” thanks to this daily practice.
Is B2 level in German enough to study in Germany?
Studying can be challenging, especially if the courses are in German only. One of my friends who moved to Germany with his son, who had reached the German language level B2, told me he struggled a lot during his first few years at university. So I would answer that question with a no.
Is B2 level in German enough to work in Germany?
By reaching the B2 language level in German, you can start working. Depending on the profession you are working in, this can be the bare minimum to get a position.
If you have a higher qualification like a bachelor’s or master’s degree and consider working in a better position, I recommend putting more time into learning German properly. Your next goal should be to reach the C1 level at least.
Is B2 German fluent?
The German language level B2 based on the CEFR rating is almost fluent. But in everyday situations, it is eloquent. Still, you won’t be able to understand longer and more challenging conversations, which might require some thinking before you can answer.
German Language Levels Explained: C1 level in German
The German language level C1 is the first essential level you should have when you consider working in Germany from my own experience. You are now an advanced student by reaching the C1 language level in German.
From now on, the texts you understand can be longer and more challenging. You are also able to grasp implicit meanings. Additionally, you can now have spontaneous conversations without any problems. Whether you talk about private or professional matters, you no longer have any difficulties.
Why is it essential to have a C1 level in German?
By reaching a C1 level in German, you are ready for business life in Germany.
Is C1 in German fluent?
The German language level C1 is almost fluent. People will still recognize that you are not a native German. On the other hand, you can have more or less fluent conversations without too many difficulties about almost any topic.
German Language Levels Explained: C2 level in German
Congratulations! Now you’ve reached your final level of the German language levels based on the GER rating system. You can effortlessly understand everything you hear or read. When you express yourself about any topic, you no longer make any noticeable or significant grammar errors.
Is C2 in German the highest language proficiency?
Yes, it’s the highest level in the GERS or CEFR rating that you can officially achieve. You may consider taking the Goethe-Test PRO for the C2 level, specifically for professionals and business people.
Why should I get C2 in German?
By reaching the German language level C2, you gained near-native mastery of Germany by non-native speakers. This especially comes handy if you want to study, research, or work in Germany.
How long does it take from A1 to C2 in German?
First, let me consider that you have enough time to take an intensive course in German with at least 20 lessons per week. Reaching levels C1 and C2 in German highly depends on your time and efforts. From my experience, I can tell you that it will take you at least 34 weeks to get from level A1 to B2. I estimate it will at least take another year of intense learning to reach C2 in German.
Conclusion
I hope I explained the German language levels well enough, making them easy to understand. Your final goal should be reaching at least the German language levels B2 or C1.
USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT LEARNING GERMAN
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At C1, you will be able to use German effectively in your social, academic and professional life. You will also be able to express your thoughts eloquently and use different ways to link ideas together appropriately.
Anyone who has a fairly high level of language skill goal, such as B2 or C1 as a level, should schedule at least nine to 12 months of daily intensive German courses or a visit to the nearest Studienkolleg (when in Germany) when starting with zero knowledge.
B2 is the first level that means that you can speak really fluent and understand 80% of the situations that you find yourself in repeatedly. You can prepare yourself for the exam and even see a sample of the language level here.
Reaching B2 is generally considered by most people as having basic fluency. You'll have a working vocabulary of around 4000 words. It's not always effortless and it's not always perfect, but neither you nor your native speaking partners are having a really hard time in most circ*mstances at this point.
German A2 exam pattern is quite simple. As it's a language, there are 4 modules- Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. It is a 60 points exam and you have to score a minimum 36 points (60%) to pass the exam.
In everyday speech, this level might be called “bilingual”, as in “I am bilingual in English and French.” A well-educated native English speaker is technically at a C2 level.
Level B1 corresponds to independent users of the language, i.e. those who have the necessary fluency to communicate without effort with native speakers.
The C2 level exam: Think “very hard” & multiply that by a thousand. The Common European Framework of References for Languages level C2 is one of the hardest possible examinations you can do in any language.
How much time do you need to learn German to a B2 level? A quick google search shows that The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) suggests that you need about 750 hours to get to this level. An offer of many German-language schools seems to confirm this number.
By reaching the end of Unit 5, Duolingo learners have completed all the lessons in the beginner sections of our courses, called A1 and A2, and are starting intermediate B1 material.
Best Way to Learn German. As with any language, the fastest and best way to learn German is through total immersion, preferably through living in a German-speaking country.
In short, finding a job in Germany without speaking German will require you to think strategically about what types of companies to apply to and diversify the ways you learn about and apply to jobs. This path will take a bit more time and effort, but good jobs are out there and they are indeed attainable.
B2 also takes around 3 months if you spend around 8 hours a week. P.S.: There are some people who are good at learning languages and remembering stuff who finished it all in 3-4 months. It all depends on how easy this comes to you and how much time you're spending on it.
German has different levels from A1 to C2. Basic A1 to A2 – Attending an Intensive course takes A1 in around 60 hours and A2 in 120 hours. Intermediate B1 to B2 – B1 takes 200 hours and B2 takes approximately 300 hours.
So, how long do you need to learn German if you want to reach this level of fluency? According to the U.S. Foreign Service Institute (FSI), you'll need about 750 hours of study to become fluent in German. This means that if you study 12-15 hours a week, you'll be able to speak like a pro in just a year!
It defines the following levels of language competence: Levels A1 and A2: These levels provide you with basic knowledge of the German language. If you have no previous knowledge, attending an A1 course is highly recommended. Levels B1 and B2: Here is where you will learn German at an advanced level.
B2 is reached after around 600 hours of German study from the scratch in a good institute like Goethe Institut. C2 however takes at least 1200 hours. Practically very few institues will provide hyper intensive course of 600 hours in 5 months.
Well A1 the very basic level and it makes you capable of communication to survive in Germany! At Goethe a weekday batch for A1 is for 1and half month (4 hours daily) and weekends takes 4 months (4hours on each Saturday and sunday). The course prepares you for the exam well! If you are planning to prepare by yourself!
Hi, B1 is the beginning of the Intermediate level as a Deutsch speaker. So, by this time you should be able to carry out basic level conversations and form simple sentences since you would have already completed A2. B1 takes you further deeper in verbs and complex sentence structure.
Duolingo is great for beginning your learning, and keeping up with a foreign language, but it will only get you to approximately A2, if even that. You need other resources than just Duolingo. If you truly want to reach C1, join a German class.
Level B2 corresponds to independent users of the language, i.e. those who have the necessary fluency to communicate without effort with native speakers.
In terms of language, the “proficient” label can refer to someone who is very skilled in the use of a language but who uses the language less easily and at a less-advanced level than a native or fluent speaker.
At Duolingo, we use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) to set goals for different proficiency levels when we design our courses. The levels are labeled A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2, and they cover increasingly complex language needs.
C1 Advanced is targeted at the C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), while C2 is targeted at the C2 CEFR level. C2 Proficiency is therefore the more difficult of the two exams.
The LG C2 OLED is slightly better than the LG C1 OLED, although the performance of the two is quite similar. The C2 is a bit brighter, especially in SDR and when displaying small, bright highlights in HDR.
The Goethe-Zertifikat C2, also called Grosses Deutsches Sprachdiplom (Great German Language Diploma), measures a near-native mastery of German by non-native speakers. The test can be taken by any German learner over the age of sixteen. It works best for people who would like to teach, do research, or study in Germany.
As a rule of thumb, German universities require you to present a proof of upper intermediate to advanced German language skills (level B2/C1) to study in German.
For those new to languages, it may sound like a daunting task to become fluent in any language in 3 months, let alone such a complicated language as German. Nonetheless, Adriana can tell you from experience that it's definitely possible!
The telc B1 certificate does not lose its validity. The certificate is therefore valid indefinitely. However, some institutions and employers require a certificate that is no more than two years old.
So for the average learner which you very likely are, getting to B2 takes at least 9 months of intensive (!)daily study. And that's what you should consider as the most realistic amount of time to learn German fast.
The three broad levels are A1/A2 ("Basic User"), B1/B2 ("Independent User"), and C1/C2 ("Proficient User"). Let's take a look at what you should be able to communicate at the various levels set out by CERF.
The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is a German exam for young people and adults. It certifies that candidates are independent users of the German language and corresponds to the third level (B1) on the six-level scale of competence laid down in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
C1 level German is considered advanced and shows the holder has full control of German grammar and vocabulary. The only higher CEFR level is C2, which even native German speakers can struggle to reach.
The Goethe-Zertifikat C1 is a German exam for adults. It certifies that candidates have acquired very advanced language skills and corresponds to the fifth level (C1) on the six-level scale of competence laid down in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
In everyday speech, this level might be called “bilingual”, as in “I am bilingual in English and French.” A well-educated native English speaker is technically at a C2 level. Relatively few English learners reach this level because their professional or academic goals do not require it.
The LG B2 OLED is an upgrade from its predecessor, the LG B1 OLED. The main difference is that the B2 gets brighter, so its overall picture quality is superior; this makes it a better choice for well-lit rooms.
The telc B1 certificate does not lose its validity. The certificate is therefore valid indefinitely. However, some institutions and employers require a certificate that is no more than two years old.
You need more than 3 months to be fluent. But even with such a short time, if you adjust your strategy, you can actually learn German and get really close to being fluent. And I don't mean being able to say, 'I'm doing fine' in German as fast as a native speaker or being able to combine words you learned on Duolingo.
B2 also takes around 3 months if you spend around 8 hours a week. P.S.: There are some people who are good at learning languages and remembering stuff who finished it all in 3-4 months. It all depends on how easy this comes to you and how much time you're spending on it.
We offer courses for beginners (A1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) all the way up to proficient learners (C1 CEFR level) depending on the learning language.
Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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