My Big Move & My First B1 Writing Task: Describing My Apartment

Okay, so this is…weird. Writing an article about myself feels incredibly exposed, but honestly, I needed to figure out how to actually do this TELC B1 Writing task – “Describe Your New Apartment.” I just moved to Munich from London, and let’s just say settling in has been…an experience. It’s been a complete learning curve, and honestly, the writing part of it all felt completely overwhelming until I started thinking about it like a real conversation.

The Initial Panic (and a Very Confusing Landlord)

The whole thing started with Herr Schmidt, my landlord. He’s…a character. A lovely enough man, but speaks so fast and uses so many words I don’t understand! When he showed me my apartment – a small flat in Schwabing – I was desperately trying to take notes, and my German was absolutely shot.

“Also, die Miete ist 850 Euro, inklusive der Heizung und der Wasserkosten, versteht?” he said, gesturing vaguely. I nodded, desperately trying to block out the panic. I managed a shaky, “Ja, ja, verstehe. Sehr gut.” which, in retrospect, probably translated to “Uh-huh, got it. Please don’t ask me anything complicated.”

Key Vocabulary for the Task

The TELC examiners want to see you using specific words and phrases. Here’s what I’ve been focusing on, and what’s actually popped up in conversations:

• Die Lage: (The location) – This is crucial. I needed to describe where my apartment is. “Die Lage ist sehr zentral,” (The location is very central) was something I heard repeatedly, and now I use it.
• Die Größe: (The size) – “Die Wohnung ist klein, aber gemütlich.” (The apartment is small, but cozy.) I’m living in a 55 square meter flat – which, apparently, is considered quite small here!
• Die Ausstattung: (The equipment/furnishings) – This covers everything! “Die Küche ist voll ausgestattet” (The kitchen is fully equipped). I’ve been learning all the names for appliances – “der Kühlschrank” (the fridge), “der Herd” (the stove), “die Mikrowelle” (the microwave).
• Die Möbel: (The furniture) – “Ich habe ein großes Bett” (I have a large bed) and “eine kleine Couch” (a small couch). I’m still slowly furnishing it, which is a whole other story!
• Die Nachbarn: (The neighbors) – I met my upstairs neighbor, Frau Müller, yesterday. “Sie ist sehr nett,” (She is very nice) she said, and I replied, “Ja, Sie auch!” (Yes, you too!).

My First Attempt at Describing It (and the Mistakes I Made)

Okay, so I actually did a practice version of the task for the TELC. It was…rough. I started with something like this:

“Ich habe eine neue Wohnung. Sie ist…gross? Die Wohnung ist in Schwabing. Die Lage ist gut, aber nicht super gut. Die Wohnung ist 55 Quadratmeter. Es gibt ein Bett, ein Tisch, und ein Kühlschrank. Die Küche ist… okay. Ich bin glücklich.”

(I have a new apartment. It is…big? The apartment is in Schwabing. The location is good, but not super good. The apartment is 55 square meters. There is a bed, a table, and a fridge. The kitchen is…okay. I am happy.)

Seriously, cringe. It sounded so stilted and unnatural. The biggest problem was using “gross” – that’s a very casual word and completely inappropriate for describing a flat! And the rambling! I needed to be more focused and use more specific vocabulary.

Real Dialogue – And How to Correct Mistakes

Later, I was talking to a colleague, Thomas, about my apartment. I accidentally said “Die Wohnung ist trocken” (The apartment is dry) – because I was talking about the heating! He stared at me, completely baffled. “Was? Trocken? Warum sagst du das?” (What? Dry? Why are you saying that?)

He patiently explained that “trocken” doesn’t fit. It’s about the temperature! I realized I needed to really focus on the meaning of the words, not just translating them directly from English.

Putting It All Together (A Better Version)

Here’s a more realistic version of what I’d actually write for the TELC:

“Ich habe eine neue Wohnung in Schwabing, die ca. 55 Quadratmeter groß ist. Die Lage ist sehr zentral – es ist nur eine kurze Weg zu den Viktualienmarkt und der Isar. Die Wohnung ist gemütlich und ich finde sie sehr schön. Die Küche ist voll ausgestattet mit einem Herd, einer Mikrowelle und einem Kühlschrank. Es gibt auch ein Schlafzimmer mit einem großen Bett und einen kleinen Wohnbereich mit einer Couch und einem Tisch. Die Nachbarn sind freundlich, besonders Frau Müller von oben. Ich bin sehr froh, hier zu wohnen.”

(I have a new apartment in Schwabing, which is approximately 55 square meters. The location is very central – it’s only a short walk to the Viktualienmarkt and the Isar. The apartment is cozy and I find it very beautiful. The kitchen is fully equipped with a stove, a microwave, and a refrigerator. There is also a bedroom with a large bed and a small living area with a couch and a table. The neighbors are friendly, especially Frau Müller upstairs. I am very happy to live here.)

Final Thoughts (And a Reminder!)

This task isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being able to communicate clearly and understandably. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! That’s how you learn. Keep practicing, focus on using the right vocabulary, and remember to sound like a real person talking about their new home. Viel Erfolg! (Good luck!)