Elementary use of language

A1 A2 Can understand and use familiar, everyday expressions and very simple sentences, which relate to the satisfying of concrete needs. Can introduce him/herself and others as well as ask others about themselves – e.g. where they live, who they know and what they own – and can respond to questions of this nature. Can communicate in a simple manner if the person they are speaking to speaks slowly and clearly and is willing to help. Can understand sentences and commonly used expressions associated with topics directly related to his/her direct circumstances (e.g. personal information or information about his/her family, shopping, work, immediate surroundings). Can make him/herself understood in simple, routine situations dealing with a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and common topics. Can describe his/her background and education, immediate surroundings and other things associated with immediate needs in a simple way.

Independent language use

B1 B2 Can understand the main points when clear, standard language is used and the focus is on familiar topics associated with work, school, leisure time, etc. Can deal with most situations typically encountered when travelling in the language region. Can express him/herself simply and coherently regarding familiar topics and areas of personal interest. Can report on experiences and events, describe dreams, hopes and goals as well as make short statements to justify or explain his/her own views and plans. Can understand the main contents of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics; also understands specialized discussions in his/her own primary area of specialization. Can communicate so spontaneously and fluently that a normal conversation with native speakers is easily possible without a great deal of effort on either side. Can express him/herself on a wide range of topics in a clear and detailed manner, explain his/her position on a current issue and indicate the benefits and drawbacks of various options.

German A1 level

A1 levelfor each language assumes that the learner can understand and use familiar, everyday expressions and very basic phrases. He/she can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. The learner can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. The level is divided into two courses: A1.1 and A1.2. The total amount of teaching/learning hours is around 120-160 school hours. Main Themes in German Course books for Beginners

The main themes in coursebooks for beginners (A1) are greetings, the world and its diversities in nations and languages, food, people and every day basic communication, numbers and counting, cities, villages, means of transportation, family, hobbies, vacations, sightseeing, restaurants and shopping, hotels, clothes and fashion, work and occupations.

Grammar in a Beginner's Level

The grammar integrated in the content in German A1 level (A1.1 and A1.2), assumes the learning of the German alphabet, sentence stress, long and short vowels, question words (where, where to, where from, how long, how much, who, who to, who from, what…), auxiliary verbs to be and to have, conjugation of verbs in present and past tense, separable verbs and modal verbs, the imperative mode with sie(formal), nouns, the definite and indefinite articles, singular/plural, negation, adjectives, comparison of adjectives, possessive adjectives, personal pronouns, prepositions, nominative, accusative and dative case.