German A1 Roadmap & Self-Study Guide

Learning German can be an exciting journey – especially if you're just starting out. The A1 level, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), is the first step in learning the language.

This guide will walk you through the roadmap for A1 proficiency and provide a self-study plan with practical tips and resources.

📍 Roadmap & Self-Study Guide for A1 German Level

By the end of the A1 level you should be able to:

• Understand and use everyday expressions (e.g., greetings, numbers, time).

• Introduce yourself and others.

• Ask and answer questions about personal details.

• Interact in a simple way, provided the other person talks slowly and clearly.

Grammar – Grammatik

Basic

• German Alphabet

Nouns and Articles

• Introduction to German articles

• Indefinite and Negative Articles

• How to identify the correct gender and article for a noun

• Plural of Nouns

• Nominative Case (Nominativ)

• Accusative Case (Akkusativ)

• Dative Case (Dativ)

Verbs

• Presence Tense (Präsens)

  • Сonjugation of the verb sein in the present tense

  • Conjugation of the verb haben in the present tense

• Separable and Inseparable Verb Prefixes (trennbare, nicht trennbare)

• Modal Verbs (Modalverben)

  • Modal verb "können"

• Perfect Tense (Perfekt)

• Imperativ – command form (Imperativ)

• Future Tense with the verb "Werden" (Futur I)

Adjectives

• Comparative degree of adjectives (Komparativ)

Pronouns

• Personal Pronouns (Personalpronomen)

• Posessive Pronouns (Posessivepronomen)

Prepositions

• Prepositions of time (Temporale Präpositionen)

Conjunctions

• Coordinating Conjunctions "und", "oder", "aber", etc.

Building Sentenses

• Sentence structure and word order

• Negation in German: Nein, Nicht, Doch oder Nie

• Yes-No questions (Ja-Nein Fragen)

• Open-ended questions (W-Fragen)

Vocabulary – Wortschatz

• Numbers (Zahlen)

• Talking about weather (Wetter)

• Ask and answer time (Uhrzeit)

• Days of the Week (Tage der Woche)

• Months and Seasons (Monate und Jahreszeiten)

• Family (Familie)

• Basic colors (Grundfarben)

• List of 100 commonly used German verbs

• Food & Drink (Essen & Trinken)

• Going Shopping (Einkaufen gehen)

• Daily Routine (Tagesablauf)

• Describe a House or Apartment (Wohnung)

• Professions (Berufe)

• Hobbies and Interests (Hobbys und Interesse)

• Desribing Clothes (Kleidung)

• Parts of the Body (Körperteile)

• Travel and Transport (Reisen und Verkehr)

• Ask for Directions (Nach dem Weg fragen)

• Book a Hotel Room (Hotelzimmer buchen)

Speaking

• Formal and Informal Greeting and Farewell Phrases

• Greetings by Time of the Day

• How to Ask "What’s Your Name?" and Say Yours

• Asking and Answering Personal Questions: Name, Age, Occupation, etc.

Listening Practice

• Listen beginner videos:

  • "The Herald in the Forest"

Reading & Writing

• Read simple dialogues and texts (A1-level readers).

• Write short texts: about your day, family or hobbies:

  • Formal letters (Formelle Briefe)

  • Informal letters (Informelle Briefe)

⏳ Self-Study Tips

1. Set Clear Goals, for example:

   1. "I will learn 10 new words a day"

   2. "I’ll do 2 exercises every day"

2. Consistency Beats Intensity

   1. 20 minutes every day > 2 hours once a week.

3. Practice Speaking Early

   1. Even talking to yourself in German helps!

4. Mix Skills Daily

   1. Read, write, speak and listen every week.

5. Track Your Progress

   1. Keep a learning journal or checklist.

🎯 When Are You Ready for A2?

You’re ready to move on to A2 when you can:

• Introduce yourself confidently.

• Understand simple sentences and respond correctly.

• Read short texts (emails, signs, dialogues).

• Write a few paragraphs about yourself or daily topics.
  

Try an A1 practice test from Goethe-Institut, TELC or ÖSD to assess your readiness.