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GERMAN CITIZENSHIP

‘Memorise grammar’: How foreigners in Germany passed the B1 language test for citizenship

News that the federal traffic light coalition will soon allow dual citizenship has more than a few long-term residents booking their language tests. So how hard is the B1 test? We asked a few people who’ve done it.

Published: 1 February 2023 09:42 CET
Updated: 4 February 2023 08:46 CET
Students study from a textbook at a school in Munich
Students study from a German textbook at a language school in Munich. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sven Hoppe

German citizenship laws are set to get a big overhaul this year, but at least one requirement will remain the same – the B1 German language test for people who want to get citizenship on a standard track.

In addition to allowing dual citizenship, the German government’s new draft nationality law is set to reduce the amount of time someone needs to have been resident in Germany from eight years to five for a standard track. Applicants on a fast track will be able to get citizenship after just three years – if they can pass a C1 German exam.

That fast track is down in time from six years but carries a higher language requirement than the current fast track ask of B2 German.

If you’ve been a resident for at least five years though, most of your requirements generally stay the same. You won’t have to renounce your other passports, but you’ll need to pass both the German citizenship test and a B1 language test – just as you do now.

READ ALSO: TIMELINE: What happens next with Germany’s plans to allow dual citizenship?

What does B1 level mean? What can a B1 speaker do?

A B1 speaker is classed as having an intermediate level of command in a language under the Common European Framework for Languages. There are six possible levels, with B1 being the third.

A B1 speaker should be able to communicate with native speakers without a lot of help, at least about everyday topics or even certain subjects they might be more familiar with, such as their hobbies or a bit about the work they do.

With this level, a B1 speaker would also be able to handle most situations that would come up on a trip, explain simple opinions, and describe events.

READ ALSO: What we know so far about the planned language requirements for German citizenship

How does the B1 exam work and how hard is it?

Like most German exams, the B1 exam is divided into four sections – speaking, reading, writing, and listening. You need to get 60 percent to pass the exam.

Most Local readers we asked said that, with a little preparation, the B1 exam is nothing to be scared of.

“I actually found it quite easy,” says Fraser Seifert, a New Zealander coming up on his fifth year in Germany. Seifert took an intensive class that gave him a lot of practice material. “Find as many practice exams as you can. If you can find a preparation class, I found it super helpful.”

Taking so many practice exams, Seifert says, will help you understand exactly what the exam is asking you to do.

“I knew that in order to pass the writing section, I had to put certain grammatical clauses in each paragraph or sentence and write them in a specific format,” he says. “It’s very formulaic.”

The B1 test is full of writing exercises that will test specific points of German grammar. Many readers recommend getting special study material. Photo: picture alliance / dpa | Uwe Anspach

Local readers also suggested using several online resources to help out, especially if you haven’t really done conventional language learning, like in a class.

“I picked up my German from speaking, so had to hit the grammar books to iron out a few irregularities,” says Beth Ingham. She’s already passed her B1 test and is going for her C1 soon.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: A language teacher’s guide to passing the German tests for citizenship

Ingham recommends the VHS Lernportal.

“I would recommend memorising phrases which show off your command of grammar – ie. dative, adjective endings,” says Emma Midgley. “Find a textbook with grammar drills that you can practice.”

Midgley also recommends the Coffee Break German podcast.

“I went through the practice exams that Goethe Institute provided as well as a textbook for the exam prep,” says Jon Morris. “I also arranged a few 30-minute language exchanges with native speakers to go through the oral exam stuff.”

Another thing to prepare for is the exam environment itself.

“I remember the reading and writing elements being in one classroom laid out like an exam hall and then the speaking exam was in a much more relaxed environment,” says Charlie D., a Brit based in Bielefeld who did his exam after going to evening classes twice a week for three months.

“I ended up having a very good conversation with my examiner and getting 100 percent for that part of the exam.”

READ ALSO: How hard is the C1 language test for Germany’s upcoming fast-track citizenship?

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GERMAN LANGUAGE

‘Umpf’: Six noises to help you sound like a German

You may think fancy vocab is the only way to impress your friends in German, but these quirky noises could actually be the key to sounding like a local.

Published: 24 April 2024 17:23 CEST
'Umpf': Six noises to help you sound like a German

For most German-language learners, it’s a familiar scenario: you kick off your language journey with textbooks and courses and eventually start to get comfortable with the tricky grammar and vocabulary.

But as soon as you start talking to a native speaker, you’ll probably hear several words you’ve never heard before – and even a few confusing noises that are hard to decipher.

These funny sounds – which are usually described as discourse markers by linguists – can be used to express anything from exhaustion to surprise, or even to check whether the person you’re talking to is listening.

If you want to sound like a native, it’s worth getting familiar with these quirky noises and trying to incorporate them in your everyday speech.

The good news is that they’re a lot more fun to use than the tricky words you learn in language schools.

What’s more, they’re an easy way to add some natural flair and personality to your German.

READ ALSO: What are the different levels in German and how do I reach them?

Tja

Hearing this word can be confusing for foreigners, because it may sound an awful lot like “ja”, or yes.

But rather than being an affirmative response to a question, ‘tja’ is often used ahead of a contradiction or as an expression of scepticism, similar to the English word “well”.

You may also hear “tja”, or even “ja”, simply used as filler words for the speaker to buy time to think about what they’re saying. For example, if a stranger asks you if the next train to Dresden leaves from Platform 3, you may respond with “Ja… nein”, if you aren’t quite sure of the answer.

Another key meaning of ‘tja’ is best summed by a meme that defines it as a the typical German response to the apocalypse, nuclear war, alien attack or having no bread in the house.

When something catastrophic has happened – like the apolocalypse or an empty bread shelf – it can be taken to mean either “I told you so” or “sh*t happens”, casting an ironic light over the gloomy situation.

Here’s how you pronounce it.

Hä

This is a word you won’t read in the German textbooks, but “hä” is a sure-fire way to sound more German in your conversations.

Much like the English “huh?”, you can use “hä?” to express surprise or incomprehension. If a friend from your German course tells you they actually enjoy learning German grammar, then a disbelieving “hä?” is probably an apt response.

In a more banal context, if you haven’t quite understood what somebody’s said, a gentle “hä?” could stand in for the more polite and formal, “wie bitte?”.

A word of warning, though: “hä?” is viewed as very informal and can even be construed as rude in certain situations, so be sure to only use it among people you’re very friendly and familiar with.

Here’s how you pronounce it.

READ ALSO: German word of the day – Hä?

Ne

Whether you’re a fan of German podcasts or have a few German friends who enjoy to speak at length about the world, you’ve probably come across ‘ne’ at some point or other.

It’s generally used at the end of sentences to check that the other person is listening and has understood, similar to the English “right?” or “you know?”.

For that reason, it often has a high inflection, as if you’re asking a question – though you don’t necessarily expect a response.

So next time you embark on a long rant in German, try interjecting a “ne?” or two. This can add variety to your tone and at the very least ensure the other person hasn’t fallen asleep halfway through.

Here’s how it’s pronounced.

Auwa

When a German child trips and falls over at the Spielplatz, the first thing they may shout is, “Auwaaaaa!” before calling on their parents to come and comfort them.

But it’s not just the little ones who use this noise to express pain in Germany – adults will also emit an occasional “auwa!” if they accidentally stub their toe.

A sad teddy bear with broken arm

A sad teddy bear with a broken arm. “Auwa” is the most German way to respond to a painful accident. Photo: Photo by Trym Nilsen on Unsplash

An alternative to “auwa” is the more English-style “auch!”, which is pronounced the same as “ouch!” but spelled differently. This can also be used to respond to a comment that stings a little, as a good-natured way of letting someone know your feelings were hurt.

Here’s how “auwa” is pronounced.

Puh

Though hearing this word may bring some toilet humour to mind, “puh” has less to do with bodily functions than you might expect.

It’s actually more similar to the English word “phew”, which is used to express tiredness or relief.

One scenario you might use “puh” is after running to the bus stop to catch the last bus home. Once you sprint through the doors and sink into your seat, you may let out an exhausted “puh!” to show your relief at having made it.

Before you forget the more childish connotations entirely though, it’s worth knowing you can also use “puh” when encountering something disgusting.

If it’s your turn to take out the Biomüll and the rotten vegetables are starting to emit a foul odour, you might say, “Puh! Es stinkt!” (Ew! It stinks!”), before hurrying to the bins as fast as you can. 

Here’s how it’s pronounced.

READ ALSO: 12 colourful German expressions that’ll add swagger to your language skills 

Uff / Umpf

If you’ve ever eaten an entire bowl of Käsespätzle, you probably know the sensation of feeling so full you’re about to burst.

For precisely this situation, you’ll need to know “umpf” or “uff”. Both of these words neatly sum up that feeling of being stuffed to the brim with food – but not necessarily in a bad way.

A bit like “oof!” in English, “uff” and “umpf” are ways of showing that you’re both sated and a little bit sleepy after a big meal. With Germany’s very hearty cuisine, they’re both expressions that you’ll need in your life fairly often.

Here’s how “uff” is pronounced.

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