You have decided to learn German. Good. Now the first question every beginner asks is: what exactly is A1, how long does it take, and what will I actually be able to do at the end? This guide answers everything before your first class.
A1 is the first level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) — the international standard used to measure language ability across Europe and beyond. It is the absolute beginner level. Zero German experience required to start. None.
At A1, you are not expected to hold deep conversations or understand German news. You are expected to handle very basic interactions — greetings, introductions, simple questions, everyday vocabulary. Think of A1 as building the foundation. Everything you learn at A2, B1, B2, and beyond is built on top of what you learn at A1. This is why A1 matters so much — not because it gets you to Germany, but because it determines how strong everything else will be.
💡 A1 is not the destination. It is the starting point. But the habits you build at A1 — how you study, how you practise speaking, how you learn vocabulary — will follow you all the way to B2 and beyond.
By the end of your A1 course, you will have a vocabulary of approximately 500 to 700 words. Here is a small sample of what you will know:
Language levels are not just about vocabulary lists. At the end of A1 you will be able to handle these real situations in German:
The CEFR estimates that reaching A1 from zero requires approximately 80 to 100 hours of learning. At two hours of class per day, five days a week, that is 8 to 10 weeks. At Visual German Academy, our A1 course is designed to be completed in 8 weeks of consistent attendance and daily practice.
The keyword is consistent. Missing classes regularly or not practising between sessions will stretch your A1 journey significantly. Students who attend every class and practise for 20 to 30 minutes daily outside of class complete A1 in 8 weeks. Students who only attend class without practising often take 12 to 16 weeks for the same content.
You do not need to prepare anything to start A1 — that is the point of beginning at zero. But if you want to hit the ground running, here are three things you can do before your first class:
The German alphabet has 26 letters like English plus four extra characters: ä, ö, ü, and ß. Knowing how to pronounce German letters before class starts means you can read new words correctly from day one. Spend 30 minutes watching a YouTube video on German pronunciation. It will save you weeks of confusion.
Hallo, Guten Morgen, Guten Tag, Guten Abend, Tschüss, Auf Wiedersehen, Bitte, Danke, Entschuldigung, Ja, Nein. These 10 words will come up in your first lesson. Knowing them already means you can focus on new content from the start.
Decide when you will study German every day. Morning before work. Evening after dinner. Lunchtime. Pick a time and protect it. The biggest predictor of success in language learning is not intelligence or talent — it is showing up consistently, every single day, for the full 8 weeks.
🎯 The goal after A1 is not perfection. The goal is to have the foundation in place so that A2 feels natural and B1 becomes achievable. Every word you learn at A1 is a brick in the wall you are building toward Germany.
After completing A1, you move directly into A2 — the elementary level. At A2 you will learn past tense, more complex sentence structures, expanded vocabulary, and how to have real conversations on everyday topics. A2 typically takes another 6 to 8 weeks at the same pace. After A2 comes B1 — and that is your Ausbildung passport.
The full journey from zero to B1 is approximately 6 to 8 months. A1 is the first 8 weeks. Every great journey starts with the first step. Yours starts here.
Live online classes. Small groups. Real teacher. Designed for East African learners going to Germany. Starting from 400,000 Tsh.
WhatsApp Us to Join 📲