German A1: Absolute Beginner
Start from zero and be conversational in 8 weeks.
Perfect if you have never studied German. Learn German A1 vocabulary (Wortschatz) and grammar (Grammatik) from scratch: alphabet, pronunciation, numbers, colours, and the basics of everyday conversation. By the end, you will be able to introduce yourself, ask for directions, and understand simple signs.
Our approach
Why we don't just follow a syllabus
Every batch is different. Some students pick up grammar fast but freeze when asked to speak; others speak confidently with a few mistakes but overthink every sentence when writing. We teach the same 14 units to everyone, but how much time we spend on each one, and how we explain it, depends on what the room actually needs. A syllabus tells you what to cover. It doesn't tell you how a specific group of students learns.
What makes us different
How we actually teach A1
Speaking comes first, not last
Most courses save speaking practice for the end of a unit, after grammar and vocabulary. We flip that: you use new words and structures out loud within the same class you learn them, so speaking never feels like a separate, scarier skill.
Writing feeds speaking, not the other way round
You'll write short answers and dialogues first, since it's lower-pressure than speaking cold, then say the same thing out loud. By the time you're speaking, you've already built the sentence once.
We push you to think in German, not translate
Translating in your head is slow and it's the habit that keeps beginners sounding hesitant. From week one, instructions, examples, and practice happen in simple German so your brain starts building the language directly, not routing through English.
Small batches, so nobody hides
In a class of 40, it's easy to never say a word. Our batches are capped specifically so every student gets called on, corrected, and heard in every session.
The full A1 curriculum
A1.1 · Weeks 1–4
Start this part →Introductions & Personal Information
Greetings, saying your name, spelling it out loud, where you're from, and filling out a basic form.
Alphabet, Numbers & Time
German pronunciation rules, counting, telling the time, and talking about dates.
Family & People
Family vocabulary (Familie): talking about family members, describing people, and possessive articles (mein, dein, sein...).
Everyday Objects & Home
House and household vocabulary (Haus, Zuhause): items, rooms, colours, plus the definite/indefinite article system (der, die, das).
Daily Routine
Daily routine vocabulary (Tagesablauf), everyday verbs, present-tense conjugation, and basic German word order.
Food & Ordering
Food and restaurant vocabulary (Essen, Restaurant), ordering food and drinks, saying what you like and don't like.
Shopping & Money
Shopping dialogues, prices, sizes, and clothing vocabulary.
A1.2 · Weeks 5–8
Start this part →Directions & Transport
Asking for and giving directions, public transport, and prepositions of place.
Work & Daily Schedule
Talking about jobs and your daily schedule, plus separable verbs.
Health & Body
Body parts and health vocabulary (Körper, Gesundheit), describing how you feel, and the modal verbs können and müssen.
Free Time & Hobbies
Talking about leisure activities, making plans, and describing your weekend.
Weather & Small Talk
Weather vocabulary, seasons, and everyday small talk.
Travel & Booking
Travel vocabulary (Reisen), booking a room, and an introduction to the past tense (Perfekt).
Review & Real Conversations
Consolidating everything into full mock conversations, and a readiness check before moving to A2.
By the end
What you'll actually be able to do
- ✓Introduce yourself, ask and answer basic personal questions, and hold a short first conversation with a stranger.
- ✓Order food, shop, ask for directions, and get through everyday situations without switching to English.
- ✓Talk about your daily routine, your work, your family, and your weekend in simple, correct sentences.
- ✓Understand simple signs, short written messages, and slow, clear spoken German, and be genuinely ready to start A2.
Be honest with yourself
The time commitment
This is intensive: 8 weeks, not 8 months. Expect live class time plus homework between sessions; the students who see the fastest progress are the ones who review vocabulary daily, even for 10 minutes. If your schedule is tighter, a semi-intensive pace covering the same 14 units over a longer timeline may suit you better, so ask us during your placement test.
FAQ
A1 questions
No, A1 is designed for complete beginners. All you need is curiosity and a stable internet connection.
8 weeks intensive, split into two 4-week sub-levels (A1.1 and A1.2) that you can take individually or bundled. Prefer a lighter pace? Ask about semi-intensive scheduling during your placement test, same 14 units, spread over a longer timeline.
14 units in total (7 in A1.1, 7 in A1.2), taking you from your first greeting to full, real conversations.
Yes, A1 vocabulary flashcards, grammar points, and practice exercises are all free to browse and try, no account required. Sign in only if you want to save your exercise scores.
Pair the free flashcards with the live class: hearing and using a word in a real sentence within the same week you learn it is what actually makes it stick, more than repetition alone.
Yes, every word includes its article, plural form, and a simple example sentence, so you see it used in context, not just as an isolated translation.
A1 is the first level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): it means you can understand and use familiar everyday expressions, introduce yourself, and interact in a simple way, provided the other person speaks slowly and is willing to help.