German LifeBoxby Bibin Johnson
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Learn German. Then actually speak it.

The whole A1 → B1 path on one page: what to learn at each level, how long it honestly takes, and where the Goethe exam fits in. Everything I wish I'd had when I started.

Take the free level test → See the A1 → B1 path

Brand new to German? Start with the free A1 vocabulary →

Sprachpass · Your target
  1. A1
  2. A2
  3. B1
  4. B2
  5. C1
Target: B1

Vocational training visas normally ask for German at B1; so does the visa to search for a training place. Some employers ask for B2.

Always check your programme's pageGleis 01
01 · German learning roadmap

Your path
from A1 to B1.

Each level is a step up. Class hours follow the Goethe-Institut course plan (75-hour intensive courses); add your own practice on top.

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  1. A1Absolute Beginner

    Greetings, numbers, everyday phrases, present tense, articles, basic sentence structure. You'll be able to introduce yourself and handle simple conversations. Most people reach A1 in 6–8 weeks of consistent study.

    ≈ 75 h of classGoethe A1 examPractise A1 topics out loud
    New to German? → Download free beginner resources
    ≈ 75 h
  2. A2Everyday German

    Past tense, modal verbs, shopping, travel, health, and daily life topics. You can hold short conversations and understand simple texts. A2 is where German starts to feel real.

    ≈ 225 h totalGoethe A2 examPractise A2 topics out loud
    ≈ 225 h
  3. B1Independent Speaker

    Complex topics, opinions, travel, work, and study contexts. You can understand the main points of clear texts and hold conversations on familiar topics. B1 is the usual requirement for an Ausbildung visa and the minimum for a Studienkolleg.

    Ausbildung visa level≈ 375 h totalGoethe B1 examPractise B1 topics out loud
    Reached B1? → Explore studying in Germany
    ≈ 375 h
  4. B2 → C1For a degree in German

    Academic texts, lectures, arguing a point in writing. Most universities ask for at least B2, and many German-taught degrees want DSH-2 or TestDaF 4, which is around C1.

    B2 ≈ 600 h totalC1 ≈ 750 h totalDSH · TestDaF · Goethe C1/C2
    ≈ 750 h

Class hours: Goethe-Institut course plan in Germany (A1 one course, A2 and B1 two more each, B2 three, C1 two). Your pace will differ.

Every level says "practise out loud". → Speaking Club (paused)
Planning an Ausbildung instead? You'll typically need B1 or B2. → Explore Ausbildung
02 · Know your target

Which level
do you need?

Know your target first, then learn accordingly. The exact requirement is always on your university's, college's or employer's own page.

Your goalLevelUsual proof
Ausbildung visaB1Recognised certificate (Goethe, telc, ÖSD). Some employers want B2. Make it in Germany ↗
Visa to search for a training placeB1Certificate at B1. Make it in Germany ↗
Studienkolleg (foundation year)B1some B2Certificate before the entrance exam; each college sets its own rule. studienkollegs.de ↗
Degree taught in GermanB2+often C1TestDaF, DSH; usually also Goethe C2 or telc C1 Hochschule; Goethe/ÖSD B2–C1 for some programmes. DAAD ↗
Degree taught in English—A1–A2 helpsIELTS / TOEFL instead of German. DAAD ↗
03 · Certification, the proof

The Goethe exam,
four modules.

The Goethe-Institut certificate is recognised worldwide by universities, employers and visa offices. Four components: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. Knowing the four components in advance is half the preparation.

Hören · Listening40min

Announcements and conversations: catch the key messages and important details.

Lesen · Reading65min

Different kinds of texts: key information, details, viewpoints and opinions.

Schreiben · Writing60min

Personal and formal e-mails, plus your opinion in a forum post.

Sprechen · Speaking15min

A pair exam: plan something together, give a short talk, answer questions.

Durations are for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1. The modules can be taken on their own or together. Goethe-Institut India ↗

Prüfungszentren · Exam centres in India

Take it without leaving India.

Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan

New DelhiMumbaiKolkataChennaiPuneBengaluru

Goethe-Zentren (partner centres)

ChandigarhCoimbatoreHyderabadThiruvananthapuram
Official list, dates and fees ↗
🧭 Free · no sign-up · ~5 min Not sure which level you are? Thirty questions that tell you where to start between A1 and B1, and what to work on next, so you are not guessing which grammar section you need. It tests reading and grammar, not speaking, so treat it as a starting point rather than a CEFR level. Take the free level test →
05 · Common questions

Learn German
FAQ.

Short, honest answers to what learners ask most.

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With consistent study (1–2 hours per day), most people reach B1 in 12–18 months. If you study 3+ hours a day, some reach it in 8–10 months. For scale, the Goethe-Institut course plan puts B1 at roughly 375 hours of class, before your own practice. Speaking practice accelerates this significantly, because speaking forces your brain to retain vocabulary differently than reading does.

It depends on the programme. English-taught programmes usually require IELTS / TOEFL instead of German. German-taught programmes usually require at least B2, and many ask for DSH-2 or TestDaF 4 (around C1). A Studienkolleg asks for at least B1, some for B2. Check the language requirement on each university's own programme page.

A1 is foundational: most people find it manageable. A2 is where grammar starts getting complex (cases, word order, modal verbs). B1 is where many learners get stuck: longer sentences, nuanced vocabulary, and speaking fluently under pressure. This is exactly why speaking practice matters at B1 level.

Absolutely. The Goethe-Institut (Max Mueller Bhavan) runs exam centres in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune and Bengaluru, and partner Goethe-Zentren in Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram. You take the exam there. The roadmap on this page is designed to prepare you for those centres: same format, same timing, same pressure.

Yes. The four modules of the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) can be taken individually or in combination, so you can resit only the module you missed. Check with the institution you're applying to whether it accepts module certificates from different dates.

No. For an Ausbildung visa, recognised B1 certificates such as Goethe, telc or ÖSD are common. For university, TestDaF and DSH are the standard tests; Goethe C2 and telc C1 Hochschule are usually accepted, and Goethe or ÖSD B2–C1 for some programmes. The institution decides, so check its page before you book.
Nächster Halt · Next stop

You know the path.
Now take the first step.

Start where every beginner starts: the words and phrases you will actually use at the supermarket, the doctor and the Bürgeramt. Free, no sign-up.

Start with A1 vocabulary → Browse free resources

Want to practise out loud every week? Speaking Club (paused) →