My Struggle (and Small Victories) with German: Targeting TELC B1.2

Okay, so here I am, a few months into living in Berlin, and let’s be honest, my German is… patchy. Beautiful city, amazing coffee, incredibly frustrating conversations. I’m determined to get to B1.2 level for the TELC exam, and specifically, I’m focusing on picture descriptions – that’s what the exam is about, right? This image of people in a modern office talking about remote work feels strangely relevant to my whole experience so far. It’s a great starting point for learning how to really describe things, and, you know, understanding what people are actually saying.

The Initial Confusion: “Remote Arbeiten” and the Panic

The first time I heard “Remote Arbeiten” I genuinely panicked. I understood the individual words – “Remote” obviously, and “Arbeiten” means work – but putting them together felt…wrong. I started assuming it meant something incredibly complicated, like “working from the moon” (a ridiculous thought, I know, but my brain was short-circuiting). Later, I realised it’s perfectly normal. My colleague, Markus, explained patiently, “Es bedeutet, dass wir nicht im Büro arbeiten, sondern von zu Hause aus.” (It means that we don’t work in the office, but from home). Little things like that make a huge difference, don’t they? It’s not just about vocabulary; it’s about understanding how people actually use the language.

Picture Description Practice: Starting Small

The TELC B1.2 exam asks you to describe a picture in about 2 minutes. I was dreading it. It felt so much more intimidating than just holding a basic conversation. So, I started with simple pictures – a park, a cafe, a street scene. I’d spend 15 minutes just describing everything I saw. I kept repeating myself, which I know isn’t ideal, but I needed to build up a basic vocabulary.

Here’s what I’d say to myself (and sometimes, very awkwardly, to anyone who would listen): “Hier ist ein Mann. Er trägt eine rote Jacke. Er geht an einem Baum vorbei. Es gibt einen Hund. Der Hund ist braun. Der Himmel ist blau.” (Here is a man. He is wearing a red jacket. He is passing a tree. There is a dog. The dog is brown. The sky is blue.) It felt incredibly slow and robotic at first, but I was forcing myself to use the words.

A Real-Life Misunderstanding – and a Helpful Correction

Last week, I was talking to my boss, Frau Schmidt, about a new project. I wanted to explain that I wasn’t sure about the timeline. I said, “Ich bin mir nicht sicher bezüglich der Frist.” She looked at me strangely and said, “Ach, du meinst, du weißt nicht, wann die Frist ist?” (Oh, you mean, you don’t know when the deadline is?).

I realised I’d used “bezüglich” incorrectly. I’d been trying to say “I’m not sure regarding the deadline,” but it sounded so convoluted! Frau Schmidt kindly corrected me: “Es ist einfacher, zu sagen: ‘Ich weiß nicht, wann die Frist ist.’” (It’s simpler to say: ‘I don’t know when the deadline is.’) These little corrections are so valuable. They show you where your language is slipping up and help you understand the nuances.

Useful Phrases for Describing People and Situations

Here are some phrases I’m actively trying to use, related to the office picture:

• “Die Leute sitzen an ihren Schreibtischen.” (The people are sitting at their desks.)
• “Ein Mann trägt eine Kaffeetasse.” (A man is holding a coffee cup.)
• “Ein Laptop ist auf dem Schreibtisch.” (A laptop is on the desk.)
• “Sie scheinen konzentriert zu sein.” (They seem to be concentrated.)
• “Der Raum ist modern und hell.” (The room is modern and bright.)

Moving Beyond Simple Descriptions: Adding Detail

Now I’m trying to add more detail. I’m using adjectives to describe things more accurately. Instead of just “ein Mann,” I’m trying to say “ein junger Mann” (a young man) or “ein Mann mit einer Brille” (a man with glasses). I’m also learning how to use prepositions of place – “vorbei” (passing), “auf” (on), “in” (in).

My Goal: Comfort and Confidence

Ultimately, my goal isn’t just to pass the TELC exam. It’s to feel comfortable and confident enough to actually use German in everyday situations. I want to be able to describe what I’m seeing, what I’m doing, and what I’m thinking – without the constant fear of making a mistake. And I think, with a little more practice (and a lot more patience!), I’m getting closer to that goal. Maybe I’ll even be able to confidently say, “Ich bin mir nicht sicher bezüglich der Frist” – and mean it, correctly!

Would you like to work on describing a different image with me?