Mastering the B1.2 Telc Writing Task: Recommending a Service

Okay, so I’ve been living in Munich for almost two years now, and honestly, the biggest hurdle I faced wasn’t learning the language itself – though das was tough! – it was actually talking about things, especially recommending something. The Telc B1.2 writing test, particularly the ‘Recommend a Service’ task, felt terrifying at first. It’s one thing to understand a conversation about a plumber, and quite another to write a clear, convincing recommendation. But I’m slowly getting there, and I wanted to share what’s helped me – because let’s be real, it’s easier when you’re not feeling completely alone in the linguistic wilderness.

The Scenario: My Friend Needs a Translator

My friend, Liam, is starting a small business importing craft beers from England. He’s super excited, but he needs to communicate with suppliers in Berlin. He’s completely overwhelmed with the German and doesn’t want to make a bad impression. That’s when I knew I could help him – and it was a perfect example of the B1.2 task.

Brainstorming – What to Say in German?

The first thing I did was actually think about what I would say. I wasn’t just translating “I recommend a service” into German. That’s far too simple. I wanted to be helpful, friendly, and give Liam the confidence he needed. Here’s what was swirling around in my head:

• Start with a friendly greeting: “Hallo Liam, wie geht es dir?” (Hello Liam, how are you?) – Always a good start!
• Acknowledge his problem: “Ich weiß, dass du Schwierigkeiten hast, dich mit den deutschen Lieferanten zu verständigen.” (I know you’re having trouble communicating with the German suppliers.) – Showing empathy helps.
• Introduce the service: “Ich könnte dir helfen! Ich habe eine sehr gute Übersetzungsagentur empfohlen.” (I can help you! I’ve recommended a very good translation agency.) – Straight to the point, but still polite.
• Explain the benefits: “Sie sind sehr professionell und können alle deine E-Mails und Dokumente genau übersetzen. Außerdem sprechen die Mitarbeiter fließend Deutsch.” (They are very professional and can translate all your emails and documents accurately. Plus, the employees speak fluent German.) – Give reasons why it’s a good choice.
• Offer further assistance: “Ich kann dir auch helfen, die ersten E-Mails zu schreiben, wenn du möchtest.” (I can also help you write the first emails if you want.) – Goes the extra mile.

A Realistic Dialogue (with Mistakes!)

Here’s how a conversation might actually go, including some of the little stumbles I made:

• Liam: “Ich weiß nicht, wie ich das anstellen soll. Ich brauche jemanden, der mir bei der Übersetzung hilft. Es ist so stressig!” (I don’t know how I’m going to do this. I need someone to help me with the translation. It’s so stressful!)

• Me: “Keine Sorge, Liam! Ich kann dir helfen. Ich habe eine Übersetzungsagentur gefunden, die wirklich gut ist. Sie heißt ‘Sprache Direkt’. Sie sind sehr professionell. Ich habe sie online gefunden – ‘Sprache Direkt’ – und sie sind in München.” (Don’t worry, Liam! I can help you. I’ve found a translation agency that’s really good. It’s called ‘Sprache Direkt’. They are very professional. I found them online – ‘Sprache Direkt’ – and they’re in Munich.)

• Liam: “Ach, das klingt gut! Aber wie teuer ist das?” (Oh, that sounds good! But how expensive is it?)

• Me: “Ich glaube, die Preise sind… etwas teuer, aber wenn es wirklich wichtig ist, dann ist es vielleicht sein wert. Ich kann dir die Preise mal schicken.” (I think the prices are… somewhat expensive, but if it’s really important, then it might be worth it. I can send you the prices.) – Uff, I completely forgot to actually get the prices! I realized later that I should have asked for them upfront.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

• einen Dienst empfehlen – to recommend a service
• Übersetzungsagentur – translation agency
• professionell – professional
• E-Mails übersetzen – to translate emails
• Dokumente übersetzen – to translate documents
• fließend – fluent
• Schwierigkeiten haben – to have difficulties
• Stressig – stressful

Tips for the Telc Exam (and Real Life!)

• Be specific: Don’t just say “they’re good.” Explain why they’re good.
• Use appropriate language: B1.2 means you should be able to communicate relatively clearly. Don’t over-complicate things.
• Don’t be afraid to make mistakes: Seriously, everyone does! Liam’s little slip-ups with the prices were completely normal. It’s better to try and say something than to be silent because you’re worried about saying it wrong. Focus on getting your message across.
• Practice, practice, practice: The more you write, the better you’ll become.

I hope this helps. It’s definitely a challenge, but with a bit of effort and a good understanding of the task, you can do it! Viel Erfolg! (Good luck!)