The CEFR describes language ability in six levels: A1 and A2 (basic user), B1 and B2 (independent user), C1 and C2 (proficient user). For German, the Goethe-Institut and telc certify each level. The Goethe-Institut presents its A1 certificate for spouse visas, B1 for settlement and naturalisation, and B2 for study at some German universities.
- CEFR levels
- Six, from A1 to C2
- Main German exams
- Goethe-Zertifikat (Goethe-Institut) and telc Deutsch
- A1 exam name
- Start Deutsch 1, offered by both
- Instruction to reach B1
- 350–650 lessons of 45 minutes (Goethe-Institut)
- Contos stories
- A1 to B2
What can you do at each German level?
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is the Council of Europe's scale for any language. The Goethe-Institut's exam pages say what passing each Goethe-Zertifikat shows in German. Here are the four levels Contos covers, summarised from both.
| Level | CEFR description (summarised) | What the Goethe-Zertifikat shows (summarised) | Lessons of 45 minutes to reach it (Goethe-Institut) | Contos moves you up at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Familiar everyday expressions; introducing yourself; simple exchanges if the other person speaks slowly and helps | Introducing yourself, answering basic questions about yourself, understanding short, slow conversations | 80–200 | Start here |
| A2 | Sentences about immediate needs: family, shopping, local area, work; simple routine exchanges | Communicating in routine situations; picking out key information from short texts such as ads and simple news items | 200–350 | 500 known words |
| B1 | Main points of clear standard input on familiar matters; coping while travelling; describing experiences and plans | Understanding clear standard language about work, school and leisure; giving reasons and explanations on familiar topics | 350–650 | 1,500 known words |
| B2 | Main ideas of complex text; regular interaction with native speakers without strain; clear, detailed writing | Grasping complex texts on concrete and abstract topics; normal conversation with native speakers without major effort | 600–800 | 4,000 known words |
Above B2 come C1, using the language flexibly for social, academic and professional purposes, and C2, understanding virtually everything with ease. Contos stories stop at B2. For the scale itself, across all languages, see CEFR levels explained.
Goethe-Zertifikat or telc: which German exam?
Two providers dominate general German exams. The Goethe-Institut is Germany's official cultural institute; its Goethe-Zertifikat B1 was developed with the University of Fribourg and the Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch (ÖSD). telc is a full member of ALTE, the Association of Language Testers in Europe. At A1 both offer an exam called Start Deutsch 1. Both test listening, reading, writing and speaking at every level, and the Goethe-Institut's exams are open to anyone, whatever their age or nationality.
| Level | Goethe-Zertifikat: listening / reading / writing / speaking | telc Deutsch: written part / speaking |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 20 / 25 / 20 / 15 min (group speaking) | Listening approx. 20, reading and writing 45 / speaking approx. 15 min (usually 4 candidates, no preparation) |
| A2 | 30 / 30 / 30 / 15 min (pair speaking) | Listening approx. 20, reading and writing 50 / speaking approx. 15 min (usually 2 candidates, no preparation) |
| B1 | 40 / 65 / 60 / 15 min (pair speaking) | Reading and language elements 90, listening approx. 30, writing 30 / speaking approx. 15 min (pairs, 20 minutes' preparation) |
| B2 | 40 / 65 / 75 / 15 min (pair speaking) | Reading and language elements 90, listening approx. 20, writing 30 / speaking approx. 15 min (pairs, 20 minutes' preparation) |
Which one you need depends on who asks for it. Points from the providers' own pages:
- A1 for a spouse visa. The Goethe-Institut presents its Start Deutsch 1 as the language certificate for the visa for spousal reunification.
- B1 for settlement and naturalisation. It presents the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 as the certificate for the settlement permit or naturalisation. telc offers a dual-level exam, telc Deutsch A2·B1, aimed at people who need a certificate for a visa, residence permit or citizenship application; candidates receive A2 or B1 depending on their result.
- B2 for some universities. The Goethe-Zertifikat B2 is accepted for study at some universities and universities of applied sciences in Germany; the Goethe-Institut advises checking with your university which certificate it wants.
- Modules at B1 and B2. The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 and B2 let you take the four modules individually or in combination.
Rules for visas and citizenship change, so check the current requirements with the authority handling your case before you book.
What does each German level look like on the page?
Descriptors are abstract, so here is one story at four levels. The Contos flagship series, The Flatshare on Bergmannstraße, is written separately at A1, A2, B1 and B2: the same Berlin flatshare, the same flatmates Lena, Jonas and Ayşe, the same landlord. These lines come from chapter 1 at each level.
Lena sitzt in der Küche. Sie trinkt Kaffee und wartet.Lena sitzt am Küchentisch und sortiert ihre Notizen.Während andere Medizinstudentinnen ihre Unterlagen auf dem Boden vergaßen, führte Lena Karteien.Es ist Montagmorgen, sieben Uhr, und Lena steht schon geduscht in der Küche, ihre Kaffeetasse in einer Hand, ihr Handy in der anderen.Watch what changes. A1 is two short present-tense sentences. A2 joins two actions with und and adds a compound (Küchentisch). B1 moves into the narrative past (vergaßen, führte) and opens with a während clause that sends its verb to the end, which turns the main clause round so that führte comes before its subject. B2 stays in the present but packs a time, a state (schon geduscht) and two trailing phrases into one sentence.
Across the free chapters of the Contos German library, sentences average about 5 words at A1, 6 at A2, 8–9 at B1 and 10 at B2. The past forms war, waren, hatte and hatten appear about twice per 1,000 words at A1 and about 22 times at B1, and the genitive article des, absent from the A1 chapters, turns up 11 times at B1.
How do you find your German level?
Only an exam gives you a certificate. For reading, a simpler test works: read a chapter written for a level and notice how often you stop.
- Hardly at all, and you are enjoying it: this level builds fluency. Read lots of it.
- A few times a paragraph, but you follow the story: this level builds vocabulary. It is the best place to learn new words.
- You lose the thread: go down a level. Hard text teaches less, not more; choosing your reading level explains why.
Contos doesn't test you. You choose a level when you start, and it moves you up as your known words grow. For the hours each level usually takes, see how long it takes to learn German.
Read chapter 1 of the flatshare story at A1. If it feels easy, try the same chapter at A2.
Read free in your browserFrequently asked questions
Is B1 German fluent?
Not in the everyday sense. B1 means you can understand clear standard German on familiar topics and handle most situations while travelling. The CEFR puts regular interaction with native speakers without strain at B2.
Which German certificate do I need for citizenship?
The Goethe-Institut presents its Goethe-Zertifikat B1 as the certificate for settlement permits and naturalisation, and telc offers telc Deutsch A2·B1 for visa, residence and citizenship applications. Requirements change, so confirm the current rules with the authority handling your application.
Is the Goethe-Zertifikat better than telc?
Neither is better in general. Both test all four skills against the CEFR and both are widely recognised. Ask the university, employer or authority which certificates they accept, then choose by exam dates, location and format.
Which certificate do I need for a spouse visa?
The Goethe-Institut describes its Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 as the language certificate for the spousal reunification visa. Rules and exemptions vary, so check with the German embassy or consulate handling your application.
What level are Contos German stories?
Every series is written for one level from A1 to B2, and the flagship flatshare series is written at all four. Chapters 1 and 2 of every series are free to read.