Intermediate German B1
Learn about German B1 Topics
CORE Languages follows the CEFR standard, so each level covers a specific set of topics. To make learning more manageable, we break each level into two parts.
German B1 is split into two parts so you can focus on specific topics and review them without repeating the whole level. Find the free lessons, exercises and quizzes on the German B1 hub.
B1.1 focuses on reflexive verbs, relative clauses, and will complete the topic of adjective endings. You will learn to express opinions, give advice, and talk about work experience.
Additional topics are talking about oneself in a job interview, ending conversations, Evaluating someone or something, Talking professionally to customers, Inquiring about offers, Talking about motivations, Following instructions and guidelines, Analyzing newspaper articles; Finding information, Making sales pitches.
After completing these levels, you’ll be able to:
understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken.
produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest and describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
As part of the B1.1 curriculum you will learn the following (and more):
Talking about when something happened (wenn, als); Reading and writing emails; Reading and composing biographies; Past tense (flog, ging); Talking about the sequence of past events; Describing accidents; Expressing past ownership and wishes; Expressing fortunate and unfortunate occurrences; “Plusquamperfekt” (Ich war umgefallen); Describing degrees (besonders, ziemlich, etc.); Using “even though” in German; Comparing options; Formulating longer sentences in German (…,der…); Understanding newspaper headlines; Talking about tv shows; Making suggestions; Giving reasons; Agreeing; Declining and disagreeing; Giving alternative options; Reading German fiction; Talking about physical actions; Recommending; Talking about health; Understanding German marketing and ads; Talking about prevention; Using fractions; Evaluating theories and assumptions; Using the Genitive in German; Talking about statistics; Expressing the consequences of hypothetical situations; Clarifying within a conversation; Guessing effectively in German; Expressing reasoning; Talking about foreign languages; Talking about learning types; Talking about shared experiences; Talking about unreal conditions; Expressing one’s opinion; Asking follow-up questions and reacting; Talking about careers; Talking about degrees of ease and convenience; Reading and understanding job ads; Writing application letters; Interviewing effectively; Conducting small talk; Talking about oneself in a job interview; Ending conversations; Evaluating someone or something; Talking professionally to customers; Inquiring about offers; Talking about motivations; Following instructions and guidelines; Analyzing newspaper articles; Finding information; Making sales pitches; Speaking about one’s home country; Talking about statistics; Giving options; Exaggerating; Talking about moving; Expressing regret; Reacting to bad news; Expressing looking forward to something; Talking about rules, regulations and guidelines; Complaining to a neighbor; Criticizing politely; Expressing surprise; Reacting to criticism in a friendly way and apologizing; Expressing anger; Reading newspaper; Expressing sympathy; Reporting.
German B1 is split into two parts so you can focus on specific topics and review them without repeating the whole level. Find the free lessons, exercises and quizzes on the German B1 hub.
B1.2 includes nuances such as telling stories; clearly expressing problems; describing marketing campaigns; talking about future actions; convincing or persuading someone.
This level concludes the regular curriculum with a review and active application of all grammar covered in the previous levels in conversation, literature, writing, and discussion. From here, continue with the free lessons on the German B2 hub.
After completing these levels, you’ll be able to:
understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken.
produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest and describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
As part of the B1.2 curriculum you will learn the following (and more):
Talking about games and conditions; Talking about being formal and informal in German; Speaking about people; Reading classified ads; Describing people; Talking about relationships; Offering the “du”; Expressing “seemingly” and “as if” in German; Talking about concurrent actions; Making decisions; Asking for help; Explaining things; Showing understanding; Giving advice; Reacting surprised or critical; Expressing agreement; Expressing disinterest; Asking for help; Commenting; Talking about products; Complaining about products and services; Telling stories; Expressing problems; Describing marketing campaigns; Talking about future actions; Convincing or persuading someone; Refusing apologies; Talking about behavior; Talking about different cultural norms; Acting like a good guest in Germany; Introducing explanations; Evaluating and assessing; Asking for aid; Calming people down; Offering solutions; Speaking with police; Speaking at the lost and found; Talking about rental issues; Analyzing pictures and cartoons; Talking about role models; Comparing things; Reading newspaper articles; Talking about political issues in Germany; Asking for opinions; Talking about history; Describing countries; Presenting advantages and disadvantages; Expressing wishes and desires.
Common German Topics
Discover All German CEFR Level Topics
Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced learner, our lessons follow the CEFR level standards below. Dive into each level to learn about the topics it covers, then find free lessons for each available level on the German hub.
Don’t know your German level? Take our German Placement Test.
Learn basic German with free, interactive German A1 lessons for beginners and build a foundation for A1 German certificate exams.
Content covered in German A1 will help learners understand and use familiar, everyday expressions and very simple sentences, which relate to communicating basic needs. Learners 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.
Whether you’re looking to learn German to relocate, for work, or just for fun, it can feel daunting knowing where to start. Our free German A2 lessons guide you step by step.
Content covered in German A2 will help learners 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). Learners 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.
The world moves quickly nowadays, and sometimes it can feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day, so the idea of taking a German course can feel daunting. What if we told you that you can study B1 German online for free, at your own pace, with our German B1 lessons?
Content covered in German B1 will help learners understand the main points when clear, standard language is used and the focus is on familiar topics associated with work, school, leisure time, etc. Learners can deal with most situations typically encountered when travelling in the language region. Learners can express him/herself simply and coherently regarding familiar topics and areas of personal interest. Learners 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.
If you’re ready to learn at the B2 level, we don’t need to tell you how to learn a language, you’ve been working hard at it already! It’s time to expand your vocabulary, work a little harder at complex subjects and tackle real-world scenarios that will help your confidence grow.
By the end of this level, you’ll be able to understand complex texts, spontaneously interact with native speakers with relative ease, produce detailed texts on a wide range of subjects and write and explain your viewpoints. Our free German B2 lessons challenge you with grammar explanations, exercises and quizzes to keep your progress on track.
If you’ve made it this far, you’re already pretty advanced with the German language, so well done. You can understand grammar and form complex sentences, and now it’s time to cement that learning, including work-based technical language and more. By the end of C1, you will be adept at speaking German in the workplace, socially, or in an educational setting.
At C1, you’ll understand demanding texts easily and be able to present complicated information in a clear, concise way. Not sure where you stand? Take our free CEFR German placement test to find your level, and read our CEFR guide to see what each level means.