Self-studying for Start Deutsch A1: The Technicalities (Part 1)

I just want to say upfront that I don't advocate self-studying versus attending a formal class. Each of us has a different learning style, what works for me may not work for you; there is nothing wrong with that. Another thing is that passing the Start Deutsch 1 (SD1 or A1) exam may be easy, but knowing A1 confidently is a different story. Passing A1 does not necessarily reflect your knowledge of A1.

If I had the choice, I probably would have enrolled in a formal class. However, I am from southern Mindanao and the nearest language school is 3-hour bus ride away from where I live (one way!); which means if I enrol in a language course there, I would need to rent an apartment. For me, that is too impractical.

I also considered to visit a course in Germany during one of my 90-day visits before getting engaged but the cost for a one-on-one intensive A1 course at the time of enquiry was 82€ per hour!

In short, the main reason I chose to self-study is that I was am too kuripot to pay for a language course. These days, aside from saving money, self-studying will have the added advantage of flexibility. It will allow you to be less dependent on whether language schools will be open or not due to the unpredictable lockdowns.

Passing A1 by self-studying is absolutely doable. I took the exam given by Goethe-Institut Manila and I also based all my preparations on this. Other language schools or testing centers may not have the same framework as Goethe-Institut.

Prior to finally deciding that I should just self-study for my A1 Exam, I also read the mechanics of the exam. I looked up YouTube videos for exam samples. I searched for online materials related to the topic. I did not go into it blindly.

I. Frequently asked questions

What is Start Deutsch 1 Exam?

Start Deutsch 1, SD1 or simply A1, as we commonly say, is the basic level of the German language based on the Common European Framework or Reference for Languages (CEFR). Once you pass the exam, you will be given a Start Deutsch 1 Certificate. This certificate is listed by the German Embassy in Manila as one of the requirements for certain visa applications (e.g. marriage visa, family reunion visa, Au-pair).

Where can I take the exam?

The exam takes place at Goethe-Institut Manila. Please refer directly to their website for updated information on the exam schedules and its cost.

Can I take the exam without enrolling in a course?

It is recommended that you have at least 60 classroom hours of A1 level course before you take the exam but that is a recommendation, not a requirement. So the short and important answer is, yes. 

How long is the A1 Certificate valid?

The language certificate has no expiry. However, for the purpose of visa applications, the German embassy in Manila may require that your A1 certificate is not older than 1 year from the issuance date. 

II. Exam description and mechanics

A1 is the elementary level of the German language. You should always keep this in mind from the very beginning and thru out your studying period for the exam. Do not start with the mindset that studying German is hard. Well, of course it is hard, but at A1 level you are not expected to know the complexity of the language.

The A1 level is restricted to the basic functional use of the language, for example you are be able to:

• Understand familiar, everyday expressions and very simple sentences.
• Introduce yourself and others; answer questions about yourself, e.g. where do you live or where you came from, what are your hobbies, what do you do (job)?
• You can communicate and understand when spoken to in a slow and clear manner, especially when asking for help and directions.

The full description of the exam can be downloaded here. It is auf Deutsch, you can use Google translate if you need, or much better, ask your German partner to help you. 

I will give a summary of the most important aspects of the exam that you need to know but I highly recommend that you read the full description.

The A1 exam has four parts:

• Hören - to test your listening skills
• Lesen -  to test your reading comprehension
• Schreiben -  to test your written communication skills
• Sprechen - to test your oral (speaking) communication skills

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•  The points achieved in the individual parts of the examination are multiplied by a factor of 1.66 and then added; the overall result is rounded to the nearest whole point.
• A maximum of 100 points can be achieved, 75 points in the written part and 25 points in the oral part.
• The examination is passed if at least 60 points (60% of the maximum number of points) are achieved and all parts of the examination were taken.

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Below I will give a summary of the exam parts description and conduct. When I was self-studying for the exam, this is where I put FOCUS on. For each part, there is a specific objective. On the tabular form mechanics, you can also see what the corresponding task structure or situation is for each parts of the exam. 

Hören

Objective: to test your listening skills and ability to understand instructions and extract important information. This part of the exam is accompanied with an audio system (played over a loudspeaker) in the exam room.

Time: around 20 minutes

Number of tasks (questions): 15

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Lesen

Objective: to show that you are able to understand and utilize simple and short texts or understand their relevant details, e.g. time and location information or simple information (selective details only) about everyday text situations.

Time: around 25 minutes

Number of tasks (questions): 15

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Schreiben

Objective: to show that you are familiar with everyday types of text such as forms and short messages that are linguistically appropriate and understandable.

Time: around 20 minutes

Number of tasks: 9

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Sprechen

Objective: to test your communication skills and ability to deal with various everyday situations in the simplest possible way. The objective is achieved if your statements are understandable and appropriate to a given situation.

Time: around 15 minutes (5 minutes for each parts)

Number of tasks: 3

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III. Self-assessment guide

 

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.'' - The Art of War (Sun Tzu)

The following self-assessment guide, based on CEFR self-assessment grid, can help give you a better perspective of what you are expected to know at A1 level.

Listening comprehension

I can understand familiar words and very basic phrases concerning myself, my family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly. 

Reading comprehension

I can understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues.

Spoken interaction

I can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help me formulate what I'm trying to say. I can ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.  

Spoken production

I can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where I live and people I know.

Writing

I can write a short, simple postcard, for example sending holiday greetings. I can fill in forms with personal details, for example entering my name, nationality and address on a hotel registration form. 

For the Part II of this article, I will give tips that I have learned and used to pass the A1 exam with ''sehr gut'' after deligently self-studying for a little over a month only.