My First Week Unpacking: A B1.1 German Challenge

Okay, so this is officially week one of living in Berlin, and honestly, it’s been a whirlwind. Moving is always chaotic, but tackling it while trying to build my German has been… intense. I’ve been focusing on the TELC B1.1 Bildbeschreibung exam, and let me tell you, seeing that image of a family unpacking boxes felt way more relevant than staring at endless grammar charts. It’s one thing to understand about describing pictures, it’s another to actually do it, especially when you’re completely overwhelmed.

The Initial Chaos & “Was ist das?”

The first day was pure adrenaline. My husband, Mark, and I had hired movers, but the boxes were everywhere. Every room was a disaster zone. Mark was shouting instructions – “Bring den Karton hier!”, “Leg die Bücher auf!” – and I was just… staring. I felt completely lost.

My German was rusty, to say the least. I kept saying “Was ist das?” (What is that?) to absolutely everything. The movers kept smiling patiently, trying to explain in German, but I just nodded and felt more confused. Mark eventually translated for me: “Das ist ein Schrank” (That’s a wardrobe). Simple, right? Wrong. The sheer volume of things, and the speed at which Mark was talking, was overwhelming.

Describing the Boxes – My First Attempt

The TELC exam wants you to be able to describe images accurately and using basic vocabulary. So, I decided to try and describe a box to one of the movers, Herr Schmidt.

“Dieser Karton ist… ist er… groß?” (This box is… is it… big?) I asked, feeling completely ridiculous.

Herr Schmidt chuckled and said, “Ja, er ist groß. Und was ist drin?” (Yes, it’s big. And what’s inside?)

I panicked. “Ich weiß nicht!” (I don’t know!). I quickly blurted out, “Ich glaube, es sind Kleidung!” (I think it’s clothing!). He nodded, “Ja, wahrscheinlich. Sie sind aus dem Kleiderschrank.” (Yes, probably. They are from the wardrobe.)

It wasn’t perfect, but I managed to convey some basic information. The biggest challenge was just forming the sentences quickly and understanding his responses. I realized I needed to actively listen and repeat phrases.

Common Mistakes and Corrections

There were so many little mistakes, and I quickly learned to embrace them. I kept using “Ich glaube” (I think) too much, which felt like an admission of defeat. Mark gently corrected me: “Try to be more confident! Just say what you see, even if you’re not completely sure.”

Another thing was overusing “ist” (is). It felt necessary to describe everything, but I learned that a simpler approach – “Das ist ein…” (This is a…) – often works better, especially when you’re starting.

Practical Vocabulary – Tools & Objects

I started noticing a lot of useful vocabulary. “Werkzeug” (tools) – we had a screwdriver, hammer, and packing tape. “Packpapier” (packing paper) – covering everything. “Schutzfolie” (protective film) – protecting delicate items. I even learned the word for bubble wrap: “Luftpolsterfolie” (air cushioning film) – essential! I started making little flashcards with these words, writing the German and English on each side.

A Small Victory – Finding the Kitchen Utensils

The biggest win of the day came when I finally found the kitchen utensils! I’d been searching through several boxes for what felt like an eternity. Mark asked, “Hast du die Kochutensilien gefunden?” (Have you found the kitchen utensils?) I immediately responded, “Ja! Sie sind in diesem Karton!” (Yes! They are in this box!). It was such a small thing, but it felt like a massive accomplishment.

Looking Ahead – Keeping the Momentum

Today has been exhausting, but I’m determined to keep practicing my German. I’m going to focus on describing the remaining boxes, and maybe even trying to order some pizza (Ich hätte gerne eine Pizza!). The TELC B1.1 exam feels less like an abstract test and more like a practical goal. Each conversation, each correctly described object, is another step closer to feeling comfortable and confident in Berlin. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to tackle another mountain of cardboard… Viel Glück! (Good luck!)