My German Writing Nightmare (and How I’m Tackling TELC B1)

Okay, so let me tell you, moving to Berlin wasn’t just a massive adventure. It was… a lot. Finding an apartment was a saga, the bureaucracy is legendary (seriously, I spent a whole afternoon just filling out forms for a parking space!), and I’ve already made a few spectacularly awkward moments trying to communicate. But the biggest hurdle? Trying to actually write in German. Specifically, for the TELC B1 Writing exam. It feels completely crucial for my job here, and honestly, a little terrifying.

Why TELC B1? And Why This Topic?

The company I work for, a small software firm, requires all new employees to pass the TELC B1 Writing exam. It’s supposed to prove I can communicate effectively in written German – and let’s be honest, I need to, if I want to really settle in. They suggested this ‘inform friends about moving house’ scenario as a good practice exercise. It seemed manageable, a practical situation, and well, who doesn’t get to tell their friends they’ve moved?

The thing is, I’m terrible at writing formal emails. I usually just send frantic WhatsApp messages. So, this feels like a huge step up. My biggest worry is getting bogged down in complicated grammar and forgetting to actually say what I wanted to say clearly.

First Contact: Telling Sarah About the Move

Okay, so the first attempt was… rough. I was trying to tell my friend Sarah about the move, and it sounded like a badly translated science fiction movie. Here’s what I actually wrote:

“Liebe Sarah,

Ich habe mich entschieden, zu einem neuen Zuhause zu ziehen. Ich bin sehr glücklich und bin froh, dass ich das getan habe. Das neue Haus ist sehr groß und hat viele Zimmer. Ich habe eine neue Wohnung in Neukölln gefunden und es ist sehr schön. Ich wohne jetzt mit meinen Eltern zusammen, aber ich bin bald in meinem eigenen Haus. Ich hoffe, du bist froh für mich!

Viele liebe Grüße,

Alice”

It felt… stilted. And honestly, a little weird. I kept repeating myself, and the sentence structure was just clunky.

Sarah replied, “Alice, it’s great you moved! But… a bit of a mouthful, isn’t it? Maybe something simpler? Like, ‘Ich freue mich, dass ich jetzt in Berlin wohne!’”

Key German Phrases & Vocabulary – Let’s Get Realistic

Okay, Sarah was right. It needed to be more natural. Here’s what I’m actually trying to say, and some of the useful phrases I’m learning:

• “Ich habe mich entschieden…” (I have decided…) – Good for explaining your choices, but can sound a little dramatic.
• “Ich bin umgezogen/Ich bin umgezogen” (I have moved/I’ve moved) – This is the key!
• “Ich wohne jetzt…” (I now live…) – Useful for explaining your current situation.
• “Ich freue mich…” (I’m happy/I’m pleased…) – Expressing enthusiasm – vital!
• “Ich habe eine neue Wohnung/Haus gefunden” (I have found a new apartment/house) – Super useful.
• “In [Stadtteil] wohnen” (To live in [district]) – Helpful for giving location details. (e.g., “Ich wohne in Neukölln.”)
• “Mit meinen Eltern zusammen wohnen” (To live with my parents) – A common situation, especially when starting out.

I’m also learning how to use phrases like: “Das ist toll!” (That’s great!) and “Ich bin gespannt, wie es wird!” (I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes!).

A Better Attempt – Telling Michael

I tried again, focusing on keeping it concise and friendly. This is what I wrote to Michael:

“Hallo Michael,

Ich wollte dir nur sagen, dass ich umgezogen bin! Ich wohne jetzt in Neukölln, in einer kleinen Wohnung. Es ist super hier, und ich freue mich sehr, in Berlin zu sein. Ich wohne mit meinen Eltern zusammen, aber ich suche schon nach einer eigenen Wohnung.

Wie geht es dir?

Liebe Grüße,

Alice”

It felt much better. Shorter, clearer, and a bit more conversational. Michael replied immediately, “Klasse, Alice! Neukölln ist cool! Schreib mir, wenn du Hilfe brauchst!” (Great, Alice! Neukölln is cool! Write to me if you need help!).

Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them!)

I definitely made a few errors. I almost used “Ich bin umgezogen” incorrectly – it’s a specific past tense! I also struggled with using the correct prepositions – “in” versus “an.” I realized I was overthinking everything.

A helpful tip I got was to actually speak the sentences out loud before writing them. It helps you catch awkward phrasing and ensures you’re using the correct word order.

Next Steps – Practice, Practice, Practice!

I’m planning to do lots of practice writing emails. I’m also going to try and find some sample TELC B1 Writing exams online to get a better feel for the exam format. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll ask Sarah to proofread my emails – a little feedback would be hugely valuable!

This whole thing feels a bit overwhelming right now, but with consistent practice and a lot of determination (and maybe a few more awkward WhatsApp messages), I’m hoping to ace that TELC B1 exam and feel a bit more confident in my German writing skills. Wish me luck! (Ich wünsche mir Glück!)