New: the complete German A1 course (free to join)
Our full online course takes you from zero to the Goethe or telc A1 exam: 118 self-paced lessons from the alphabet to the exam with audio, speaking practice with your microphone, the complete A1 vocabulary with English and Hindi meanings, grammar in plain English, tips and tricks to crack the exam and 2 full mock exams.
- 118 lessons in 6 steps: welcome, foundations, 12 units, exam training, 2 mock exams, resources
- Audio for every word and speaking practice with your microphone
- Full A1 vocabulary with English and Hindi meanings
- Tips and tricks to crack Goethe and telc A1, plus 2 full mock exams
- Self-paced with a progress bar, so you always know where you are
Short on time? Watch the 1-minute web story: 5 German Phrases for Your First Day.
You can study in Germany in English, but you live your life in German. The landlord, the Bürgeramt, the Ausländerbehörde, your part-time job and even the doctor will often expect at least basic German. The good news: you can learn it for free, step by step, while you prepare for your move or study.
This free course gives you a clear plan from zero to A1 in 12 weeks, the phrases you need for real situations in Germany, the grammar to focus on, and the best free tools to practise with. Not sure where you stand? Take our free German level test first.
How long does it take to learn German?
The Goethe-Institut gives these rough guidelines for the hours of instruction you need for each level of the Common European Framework (CEFR). Self-study and practice come on top.
| Level | What you can do | Hours of instruction (Goethe-Institut) |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Introduce yourself, ask simple questions, understand basic signs and forms | about 60 to 150 hours |
| A2 | Handle shopping, appointments and simple conversations about daily life | about 150 to 260 hours |
| B1 | Manage most everyday situations, talk about work and studies, write simple emails | about 260 to 490 hours |
| B2 | Follow lectures and discussions, work in German, pass many university entry tests | about 450 to 600 hours |
| C1 | Study or work fully in German with confidence | about 600 to 750 hours |
With one focused hour a day, most learners reach A1 in about three months and B1 in roughly a year. Daily practice beats long weekend sessions.
Your 12-week plan from zero to A1
Study about one hour a day, six days a week. Each week has one clear goal. At the end of the week, check yourself: can you do what the goal says without looking at your notes?
| Week | Goal | Grammar and vocabulary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Say hello, introduce yourself and spell your name | Alphabet, pronunciation of ä, ö, ü, ß, ei and ie; Ich heiße…, Ich komme aus… |
| 2 | Understand numbers, prices, phone numbers and the time | Numbers 0 to 1,000; Wie spät ist es? Was kostet das? |
| 3 | Name everyday things around you | Articles der, die, das; ein and eine; plural forms |
| 4 | Talk about what you do every day | Present tense of regular verbs; sein and haben; W-questions |
| 5 | Talk about family, hobbies and what you like | gern; negation with nicht and kein |
| 6 | Shop for food and order in a café | Ich hätte gern…; the accusative case |
| 7 | Make and change appointments | Days, months and dates; separable verbs such as anrufen and ankommen |
| 8 | Describe your flat or WG room | Rooms and furniture; adjectives after sein |
| 9 | Ask for help and say what you can or must do | Modal verbs können, müssen, wollen, möchten |
| 10 | Find your way and use public transport | Wo ist…? Wie komme ich zum Bahnhof?; dative after mit, zu, bei |
| 11 | Tell someone what you did yesterday | Perfekt: Ich habe… gemacht, Ich bin… gefahren |
| 12 | Review everything and take a practice test | Repeat weak topics; try the free A1 practice materials and our level test |
A one-hour study routine that works
- 20 minutes: one lesson from a structured free course (see the resources below).
- 15 minutes: new words with a flashcard app. Always learn nouns with their article: der Termin, die Wohnung, das Konto.
- 15 minutes: listening: a beginner podcast, a slow news programme or a short video.
- 10 minutes: speak or write: say five sentences out loud about your day, or write a short message.
Survival German: phrases for real situations in Germany
Courses teach you how to order coffee. These phrases help with the situations international students actually face in their first months. Read them out loud and practise them before your appointment.
At the Bürgeramt (registering your address)
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich möchte meinen Wohnsitz anmelden. | I would like to register my address. |
| Ich habe einen Termin um zehn Uhr. | I have an appointment at ten o’clock. |
| Hier ist die Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. | Here is the landlord’s confirmation. |
| Brauche ich noch weitere Unterlagen? | Do I need any other documents? |
| Kann ich bitte eine Kopie bekommen? | Can I have a copy, please? |
At the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office)
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich möchte meine Aufenthaltserlaubnis verlängern. | I would like to extend my residence permit. |
| Mein Visum läuft am 30. September ab. | My visa expires on 30 September. |
| Ich habe noch keinen Termin bekommen. | I have not been able to get an appointment yet. |
| Bekomme ich eine Fiktionsbescheinigung? | Will I get a temporary certificate (Fiktionsbescheinigung)? |
| Welche Dokumente muss ich mitbringen? | Which documents do I need to bring? |
Finding a room or flat
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ist das Zimmer noch frei? | Is the room still available? |
| Wie hoch ist die Warmmiete? | How much is the rent including heating and utilities? |
| Wann kann ich das Zimmer besichtigen? | When can I view the room? |
| Wie hoch ist die Kaution? | How much is the deposit? |
| Kann ich mich dort anmelden? | Can I register my address there? |
Tip: never pay a deposit before you have seen the room and signed a contract. Check any listing with our rental scam checker.
At the bank
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich möchte ein Girokonto eröffnen. | I would like to open a current account. |
| Gibt es ein kostenloses Konto für Studierende? | Is there a free account for students? |
| Wie hoch sind die monatlichen Gebühren? | How much are the monthly fees? |
| Ich habe meine PIN vergessen. | I have forgotten my PIN. |
At the doctor
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich möchte einen Termin vereinbaren. | I would like to make an appointment. |
| Ich habe seit drei Tagen Fieber. | I have had a fever for three days. |
| Mir ist schlecht. | I feel sick. |
| Ich bin bei der TK versichert. | I am insured with TK. |
| Ich brauche eine Krankmeldung für meinen Arbeitgeber. | I need a sick note for my employer. |
At university
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Wo ist das Studierendensekretariat? | Where is the student registry office? |
| Ich möchte mich für die Prüfung anmelden. | I would like to register for the exam. |
| Wann ist Ihre Sprechstunde? | When are your office hours? |
| Könnten Sie das bitte wiederholen? | Could you repeat that, please? |
| Könnten Sie bitte etwas langsamer sprechen? | Could you speak a bit more slowly, please? |
Need to write instead of speak? Our German email writer has ready templates for the Ausländerbehörde, your landlord and your university.
Grammar to focus on first
You do not need to master all of German grammar at once. These topics give you the most progress for your effort at A1 and A2:
- Word order: the verb comes second in a normal sentence (Heute gehe ich zur Uni).
- Articles and gender: learn every noun with der, die or das from day one.
- Accusative and dative: the changes to articles after verbs and prepositions (den Termin, mit dem Bus).
- Modal verbs: können, müssen, dürfen, wollen and möchten, with the main verb at the end.
- Perfekt: the spoken past tense (Ich habe gelernt, Ich bin gefahren).
- Separable verbs: anrufen, aufstehen, einkaufen (Ich rufe dich an).
The best free resources
- Deutsche Welle, Nicos Weg: a free video course from A1 to B1 built around a story, with exercises. Free registration.
- vhs-Lernportal: free online German courses from the German adult education centres (Volkshochschulen), from A1 upwards, with optional tutor feedback. Free registration.
- Goethe-Institut, Deutsch für dich: a free community with exercises, games and tips from the Goethe-Institut.
- Your university: most German universities offer free or cheap German courses for enrolled international students through their language centre (Sprachenzentrum).
For a full comparison of paid and free options, read our guide on how to learn German online.
Which certificate do you need?
For daily life and part-time jobs, A2 to B1 is usually enough. For a German-taught degree, universities normally ask for C1 level, for example TestDaF with TDN 4 in all parts or DSH-2. For vocational training (Ausbildung), many employers ask for B1 or B2. Read more in our guides to German language certificates for university and the TestDaF exam.
Check your progress
After week 12, take our free German level test again and compare your score. If you are planning your move, the arrival checklist shows which appointments are waiting for you, so you can practise exactly those phrases.
FAQs
Can I learn German for free?
Yes. Free courses such as Deutsche Welle’s Nicos Weg and the vhs-Lernportal take you from beginner to B1. Combine them with daily vocabulary practice and speaking, and you can reach A1 without paying for a course.
How long does it take to reach B1?
The Goethe-Institut estimates about 260 to 490 hours of instruction from zero. With one hour a day plus practice, many learners need around a year.
Do I need German if my degree is in English?
For your lectures, maybe not. For life in Germany, yes: offices, landlords, doctors and most part-time jobs work in German, and German skills make it much easier to find a job after graduation.
Which level do I need to work in Germany?
It depends on the job. Many student jobs in shops and cafés expect at least A2 to B1. Office jobs and most jobs after graduation usually need B2 or higher, unless the company works in English.
