Reading
Your key to education
Why are language skills important to get a good job in Germany?
Language can be interpreted as an interplay of
Language skills are an important asset for any individual going to a foreign country. The ability to communicate in multiple languages can open up countless opportunities for You in terms of education, career, and personal development.
First and foremost, having language skills increases Your access to educational opportunities. The theoretical part of the german vocational education system, called “Berufsschule”, is a kind of college where You also learn about the legal circumstances of a job. Without a proper german language skill, you will be lost.
Furthermore, You are much more attractive to employers, as they are able to communicate with You and, due to Your mother language, maybe reach a wider range of customers and clients. Especially in small and medium-sized german companies, often even the managers are not able to tell you what to do in English or to train you in a foreign language. In the worst case, they will not hire you because of the language barrier, even though you might be the perfect fit for the job. So there is really nothing left for you but to learn German at least on B2 level. However, a certificate is rarely necessary for this. The most important thing is that your supervisors can talk to you, that you understand what they are saying and that you can ask questions.
Last but not least, being able to talk to native german speakers will provide a great chance for You to make new friends, experience german culture, develop a more global outlook, build Your confidence and self-esteem, and even provides a sense of accomplishment. Most Germans can order a beer on vacation or show you the way to the post office in English. Rarely, however, do the skills go so far that private or professional conversations can be held. So, it´s up to You if You want to be a part of german society.
In conclusion, language skills are an invaluable asset and can provide countless opportunities for You especially in a foreign country. They can open up educational opportunities, enhance career prospects, and provide a range of personal benefits. Therefore, it is important for You to invest in language learning in order to take advantage of the many benefits it offers.
Find Your individual language course HereYou are reading right now: Cool!
Reading is usually the most frequent contact wih a foreign language, although You leraned Your mother tongue by speech and reading just at the age of about 6. Isn`t that weired?
Why are German reading skills important for You?
Despite of that reading can be a great source of entertainment, it helps You to build Your vocabulary and expand Your understanding of language in Your own speed an wherever You are. Reading skills are important because they provide You with the ability to gain knowledge, comprehend information, and think critically. Reading helps You to understand the world around and develop Your own thoughts and ideas. It also helps You to develop cognitive skills, such as problem solving, decision making, and creative thinking. These are all essential skills if you want to learn and practice an occupation in Germany. In the vocational school, theoretical knowledge is taught using standardized textbooks to ensure that all students are on the same level.
In the other place of vocational training, the company, you will often have to adapt to new processes. You can do this best if you read through manuals or descriptions yourself, for example, and don’t need personal instruction for everything. In German companies, it is very much appreciated if you make an effort to acquire knowledge yourself without having to be constantly encouraged to do so. If you do this, you will not only quickly become an expert in your field, but also a team leader. Reading (and of course understanding) is the key to this.
How are reading skills measured in Germany?
The official assessment of German language skills is based on the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”, published by the Council of Europe.
Reading is measured like this1Council of Europe (2020), Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment – Companion volume, Council of Europe Publishing, Strasbourg, available at www.coe.int/lang-cefr:
| Pre-A1 | Can recognise familiar words/signs accompanied by pictures, such as a fast-food restaurant menu illustrated with photos or a picture book using familiar vocabulary. |
| A1 | Can understand very short, simple texts a single phrase at a time, picking up familiar names, words and basic phrases and rereading as required. |
| A2 | Can understand short, simple texts containing the highest frequency vocabulary, including a proportion of shared international vocabulary items. |
| A2+ | Can understand short, simple texts on familiar matters of a concrete type which consist of high frequency everyday or job-related language. |
| B1 | Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related to their field of interest with a satisfactory level of comprehension. |
| B2 | Can read with a large degree of independence, adapting style and speed of reading to different texts and purposes, and using appropriate reference sources selectively. Has a broad active reading vocabulary, but may experience some difficulty with low-frequency idioms. |
| C1 | Can understand a wide variety of texts including literary writings, newspaper or magazine articles, and specialised academic or professional publications, provided there are opportunities for rereading and they have access to reference tools. |
| C2 | Can understand virtually all types of texts including abstract, structurally complex, or highly colloquial literary and non-literary writings. |
How to improve Your German reading skills?
1. Read regularly: Make reading a daily habit and set aside specific times each day to read.
2. Read challenging material: Challenge yourself by reading material at a higher level than you’re used to. This will help you to increase your reading speed as well as comprehension.
3. Use a timer: Time yourself when reading to help increase your speed and accuracy.
4. Take notes: As you read, make notes in the margins or highlight important points to enable you to go back and easily review the material.
5. Summarize what you’ve read: After you’ve finished a section or a chapter, take a few minutes to summarize what you’ve read in your own words. This will help you to better understand and remember the material.
6. Discuss what you’ve read: Talking about what you’ve read with someone else will help you to better understand and remember it.
7. Practice active reading: When reading, ask yourself questions about what you’re reading and answer them as you go. This will help you to focus on the material and retain more of it.
There is a large number of public libraries in Germany. Google your town for “Stadtbücherei” or “Gemeindebücherei” and you will find one. The permission to borrow books from the library usually costs no more than 10€ per year (!). If you prefer to own your books, try cheaper used ones. You can get almost everything you are looking for on momox or medimops. A huge amount of german newspapers and magazines are offered on a monthly rate by Readly.
The right course to increase your reading skills can be found after pushing the button below.
Find Your individual language course HereDo You know deaf or auditory impaired people? I would not want to trade places with these, because not understanding what others talk seems like an entrance barrier to society. Others may even not dare to address You. Living in a foreign country without proper listening skills has certain similarities.
Why are German listening skills important for You?
German is one of the most widely-spoken languages in Europe and is spoken by over 130 million people worldwide. It is the official language of Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland and is also widely used in other countries. Learning to listen and understand German is important for anyone who wants to communicate effectively with native German speakers.
Listening skills are a fundamental component of language learning, and they play an essential part in one’s ability to comprehend and communicate effectively. Listening to various German accents and pronunciation patterns is crucial to gaining a better understanding of the language. Improved listening comprehension leads to better communication and stronger relationships with German communities.
Furthermore, German proficiency is increasingly valuable in the global marketplace. In recent years, Germany has become a leader in technology, business, and engineering, and German-speaking countries are attractive markets for businesses worldwide. Therefore, having strong German listening skills can open up new and exciting career opportunities.
In conclusion, German listening skills are vital for effective communication, cultural understanding, and career prospects. Take the time to develop your listening skills, and you’ll see a significant improvement in your German proficiency.
How are listening skills measured in Germany?
The official assessment of German language skills is based on the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”, published by the Council of Europe.
Listening is measured like this2Council of Europe (2020), Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment – Companion volume, Council of Europe Publishing, Strasbourg, available at www.coe.int/lang-cefr:
| Pre-A1 | Can recognise numbers, prices, dates and days of the week, provided they are delivered slowly and clearly in a defined, familiar everyday context. |
| A1 | Can follow language which is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses for them to assimilate meaning. |
| A2 | Can understand phrases and expressions related to areas of most immediate priority (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment), provided people articulate clearly and slowly. |
| A2+ | Can understand enough to be able to meet needs of a concrete type, provided people articulate clearly and slowly. |
| B1 | Can understand the main points made in clear standard language or a familiar variety on familiar matters regularly encountered at work, school, leisure, etc., including short narratives. |
| B1+ | Can understand straightforward factual information about common everyday or job-related topics, identifying both general messages and specific details, provided people articulate clearly in a generally familiar variety. |
| B2 | Can follow extended discourse and complex lines of argument, provided the topic is reasonably familiar, and the direction of the argument is signposted by explicit markers. |
| B2+ | Can understand standard language or a familiar variety, live or broadcast, on both familiar and unfamiliar topics normally encountered in personal, social, academic or vocational life. Only extreme [auditory/visual] background noise, inadequate discourse structure and/or idiomatic usage influence the ability to understand. |
| C1 | Can understand enough to follow extended discourse on abstract and complex topics beyond their own field, though they may need to confirm occasional details, especially if the variety is unfamiliar. |
| C2 | Can understand with ease virtually any kind of language, whether live or broadcast, delivered at fast natural speed. |
How to improve Your German listening skills?
1. Listen to audio materials regularly: This can include podcasts, music, audiobooks, or even news broadcasts in the target language.
2. Focus on the context: Try to identify what the speaker is talking about and the main ideas being conveyed rather than getting caught up in individual words.
3. Tune your ear to the language: Listen carefully to individual sounds and word stress, and practice reproducing them yourself.
4. Take notes: Jot down keywords and phrases that you hear, which can also help you to identify the main ideas.
5. Speak with native speakers: Conversing with a native speaker can help improve your listening comprehension, as well as your overall language skills.
6. Use subtitles: Use subtitles in the target language when watching movies or TV shows, which can help you to understand dialogue and pick up new vocabulary.
7. Practice regularly: Like any skill, regular practice is key to improving your listening skills in a foreign language.
Be a little carefully not to overestimate the content. Especially on German TV channels, scripted reality is very popular. So don’t take everything for true 😉
Even for audio material, You can use the large number of public libraries in Germany. Google your town for “Stadtbücherei” or “Gemeindebücherei” and you will find one. The permission to borrow audio books from the library usually costs no more than 10€ per year (!). An outstanding collection of the best german audiobooks is available for a fair rate on audible. Used media can be found on momox or medimops.
The right course to increase your listening skills can be found after pushing the button below.
Find Your individual language course Here
Why are German writing skills important for You?
Writing is one of the primary ways to communicate with others and is essential for expressing thoughts, feelings, and ideas. In addition, it is the essential skill for both academic and professional purposes.
Firstly, writing german will help You develop a deeper understanding of the language’s structure, grammar, and vocabulary. Writing requires You to pay attention to details, such as spelling, sentence structure, and verb forms. This process helps improve understanding and retention of rules and patterns, leading to an overall improvement in language comprehension.
Secondly, german writing skills will significantly improve Your professional opportunities. Writing is an essential tool for academic and business communication, and individuals who can write well in a foreign language will naturally stand out to prospective employers or educational institutions. Additionally, many courses and degrees require the ability to write in a foreign language, and having these skills are a key factor for educational and career advancement. And if You are already in Germany, You will be able to handle bureaucratic forms independently. A fact, that will speed up many processes.
In the german vocational school, You will have to write every day: homework, script, tests. Everything that counts in school is written (nearly), so be prepared.
In the other place of vocational training, the company, it will hardly depend on the job if Your writing skills are stressed. At least, Your application will be written, so Your writing skills will decide about whether or not You are getting a certain job!
How are writing skills measured in Germany?
The official assessment of German language skills is based on the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”, published by the Council of Europe.
Writing is measured like this3Council of Europe (2020), Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment – Companion volume, Council of Europe Publishing, Strasbourg, available at www.coe.int/lang-cefr:
| Pre-A1 | Can give basic personal information (e.g. name, address, nationality), perhaps with the use of a dictionary. |
| A1 | Can give information about matters of personal relevance (e.g. likes and dislikes, family, pets) using simple words/signs and basic expressions. |
| A2 | Can produce a series of simple phrases and sentences linked with simple connectors like “and”, “but” and “because”. |
| B1 | Can produce straightforward connected texts on a range of familiar subjects within their field of interest, by linking a series of shorter discrete elements into a linear sequence. |
| B2 | Can produce clear, detailed texts on a variety of subjects related to their field of interest, synthesising and evaluating information and arguments from a number of sources. |
| C1 | Can produce clear, well-structured texts of complex subjects, underlining the relevant salient issues, expanding and supporting points of view at some length with subsidiary points, reasons and relevant examples, and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion. |
| C2 | Can produce clear, smoothly flowing, complex texts in an appropriate and effective style and a logical structure which helps the reader identify significant points. |
How to improve Your German writing skills?
To improve Your german writing skills, try these tips:
1. Read more: Reading is an effective way to improve overall writing skills, helping to increase vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. Newspapers, books, whatever You want
2. Practice regularly: Consistent writing leads to improved skills, so make an effort to write every day, whether it’s journaling, blogging or drafting a letter. At the start, You should use a language translation software like DeepL to get familiar with some new words. With time, you will be able to formulate more elegantly than these programs
3. Seek feedback: Get a fresh perspective on your writing and improve by asking others to share their opinions and suggestions.
4. Learn grammar: Study grammar rules to improve your ability to compose effective sentences and clear communication.
5. Use writing prompts: Writing prompts help prompt new ideas and stretch creative muscles.
6. Fill out forms yourself: This may sound funny, but always take 2 or 3 copies of the forms you need and try to fill them out without waiting for help. Very soon you will realize that many indications are often repeated.
The right course to increase your writing skills can be found after pushing the button below.
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Why are German talking skills important for You?
The primary reason for learning german is to be able to communicate with people who speak that language. Unless you can speak the language, you will not be able to interact with people. Speaking skills help you convey your thoughts, ideas, and feelings accurately and effectively.
They help you establish a rapport with people that can lead to deeper relationships and friendships. Speaking german as a foreign language can be intimidating, but the more you speak, the more confident you become. Confidence is key to overcoming the fear of making mistakes and the anxiety of being misunderstood. Being able to speak fluently and with ease will help you feel more self-assured.
Last but not least: To succeed in a career! Most german companies require employees who can speak fluent german. this is primarily due to the fact that for many Germans it was not necessary to learn a foreign language at a high level because of the good local job market. Unlike in the Netherlands, for example, foreign language films were always dubbed into German, which made learning English even less necessary. So you will mostly face people who do not speak a foreign language, but from whom you want a job and training. So you have no choice but to adapt your language skills. Furthermore, german skills in combination with Your mother tongue give you an advantage in the job market by an enargement of possibilities, as it enables you to communicate with clients or business partners.
It is important to remember that talking skills are not developed overnight. It takes practice and perseverance to become proficient in a foreign language. However, the benefits of speaking a new language are worth the effort. So, start practicing your speaking skills today and watch as you become more confident and competent in communicating with people from Germany.
How are talking skills measured in Germany?
The official assessment of German language skills is based on the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”, published by the Council of Europe.
Talking is measured like this4Council of Europe (2020), Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment – Companion volume, Council of Europe Publishing, Strasbourg, available at www.coe.int/lang-cefr:
| Pre-A1 | Can produce short phrases about themselves, giving basic personal information (e.g. name, address, family, nationality). |
| A1 | Can produce simple, mainly isolated phrases about people and places. |
| A2 | Can give a simple description or presentation of people, living or working conditions, daily routines. likes/dislikes, etc. as a short series of simple phrases and sentences linked into a list. |
| B1 | Can reasonably fluently sustain a straightforward description of one of a variety of subjects within their field of interest, presenting it as a linear sequence of points. |
| B2 | Can give clear, detailed descriptions and presentations on a wide range of subjects related to their field of interest, expanding and supporting ideas with subsidiary points and relevant examples. |
| B2+ | Can give clear, systematically developed descriptions and presentations, with appropriate highlighting of significant points, and relevant supporting detail. |
| C1 | Can give clear, detailed descriptions and presentations on complex subjects, integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion. |
| C2 | Can produce clear, smoothly flowing, well-structured discourse with an effective logical structure which helps the recipient to notice and remember significant points. |
How to improve Your German talking skills?
Learning german is not just about memorizing grammar rules and vocabulary; it also involves mastering communication skills, particularly speaking skills. There are several ways to improve talking skills in a foreign language:
1. Practice speaking regularly with native speakers or language partners. Dont´t be shy to ask other foreigners to talk in german. Yuu will be recognizes as someone who gets them ahead.
2. Listen to podcasts or watch TV shows/movies to improve comprehension and pronunciation.
3. Learn common phrases and vocabulary related to your interests or profession / occupations.
4. Record and listen to yourself speaking to identify areas of improvement. Use the audio notes function of Your smartphone or a proper app
5. Join a language exchange group or take a language class to practice with others.
6. The right course to increase your talking skills can be found after pushing the button below.
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