What You’ll Learn in a Free German A1 Course
A1 is the true beginners level: simple everyday language, short sentences, and essential phrases. Your goal is to understand and say the basics clearly, not perfectly.
By the end of a solid A1 path, you should handle introductions, numbers, directions, shopping, time and dates, and simple questions about your life. You’ll also get the first look at core grammar so you can build sentences with confidence.
- Alphabet and pronunciation (Umlauts ä/ö/ü, ß)
- Greetings, introductions, polite phrases
- Numbers, prices, time, dates, and appointments
- Present tense verbs (regular + common irregulars like sein/haben)
- Word order: main clauses and yes/no questions
- Nouns with articles (der/die/das) and plurals
- Essential cases in context (accusative for objects, dative in set phrases)
- Survival topics: ordering food, transport, shopping, small talk
Your Step-by-Step Study Plan (15–20 Minutes a Day)
Small, consistent sessions beat long cram marathons. Here’s a reliable routine that moves you from zero to A1 with focus. If you have extra minutes, double one step—not all of them.
Keep a simple tracker (a one-page PDF works) and repeat this daily. You’ll gain rhythm, memory, and confidence with minimal time stress.
- Step 1 (2 minutes): Quick review. Read yesterday’s notes or flashcards aloud.
- Step 2 (8 minutes): One micro-lesson online (video or interactive exercise).
- Step 3 (3 minutes): Speak it. Shadow a short dialogue; mimic rhythm and sounds.
- Step 4 (4 minutes): Write 3–5 sentences using today’s pattern or vocab.
- Step 5 (2 minutes): Self-check. Record your voice; fix one pronunciation point.
- Bonus (as needed): End-of-week recap using a checklist PDF and a short quiz.
Best Free Online Resources for A1
You don’t need a paid subscription to start. Mix a structured course with a few fun extras so your ears, eyes, and mouth all get practice. Bookmark two or three so you don’t get overwhelmed.
When you look for downloads, search terms like “german A1 pdf vocabulary” or “A1 grammar pdf” to find printable sheets you can review offline.
- DW Nicos Weg (A1): Free, structured course with videos, quizzes, and transcripts.
- Goethe-Institut A1 exercises: Short, exam-style tasks to test key skills.
- Easy German (YouTube): Street interviews with subtitles; great for real language.
- Anki or Memrise decks: Spaced-repetition vocab; add audio and example sentences.
- Grimm Grammar / Canoonet basics: Clear explanations for word order and articles.
- Podcasts for beginners: Slow German or DW Langsam; 5–10 minutes of listening.
Grammar and Vocabulary Made Simple
Focus on patterns you can reuse, not rules for their own sake. If a rule doesn’t help you speak today, park it for later. A1 grammar is about building short, correct sentences and questions.
Learn vocabulary in chunks—useful phrases and sentence frames. It’s faster to say Ich hätte gern... than to assemble each word from scratch.
- V2 rule: In main clauses, the conjugated verb is always in position two.
- Yes/no questions: Verb first (Hast du Zeit?). W-questions: W-word + verb + subject.
- Articles: der/die/das in nominative; learn common shifts in accusative (den Mann).
- High-frequency verbs: sein, haben, mögen, möchten, gehen, kommen, brauchen.
- Power frames: Ich möchte..., Ich brauche..., Ich mag..., Ich wohne in..., Ich arbeite als...
- Micro-goal vocab: 20–30 words per week with audio; review in spaced intervals.
Check Your Level and Prepare for A1 Certificates
Even if your course is free, you can prep for official A1 exams using freely available mock tests and sample tasks. Practice little and often so exam day feels familiar.
A typical A1 test checks reading, listening, writing, and a short speaking section. Time varies by provider, but many full mocks fit in 60–90 minutes.
- Download sample papers (A1 pdf) for reading and writing tasks.
- Listen to short audio clips and answer true/false or multiple-choice questions.
- Practice a 3–5 minute introduction: name, origin, job, hobbies, and daily routine.
- Write a simple note or message (30–50 words) using templates you’ve studied.
- Track scores weekly to spot weak spots and adjust your study steps.
FAQ
- How long does A1 usually take if I study 15–20 minutes daily?
- With focused practice, many learners reach comfortable A1 in 8–12 weeks. If you add a weekly longer session (45–60 minutes), you’ll likely get there faster and more confidently.
- Can I get an official certificate from a free online course?
- Free courses teach the skills, but certificates come from exam providers (e.g., Goethe-Institut, telc). Use free materials to prepare, then book the paid exam when you’re ready.
- Do I need heavy grammar study at A1?
- No. Prioritize practical patterns: verb-second word order, present tense, core articles, and question forms. Use short dialogues and sentence frames to learn by doing.
- Where can I find useful A1 PDFs?
- Search for terms like “german A1 pdf vocabulary,” “A1 grammar pdf,” or “A1 practice test pdf.” Many official sites and teachers share printable checklists, word banks, and mock tasks.
- What’s the difference between A1 and A2?
- A1 covers essential survival language; A2 expands to everyday routines, past tense basics, and longer conversations. Think A1: short, safe sentences; A2: more detail and small stories.