Mastering the TELC B1 Writing Task: Giving Health Advice to a Friend

Okay, so I’ve been living in Berlin for almost two years now, and honestly, one of the biggest hurdles was just…talking about health. It’s a really sensitive topic, and I was so used to just letting things slide, especially when it came to my friends. But the TELC B1 Writing exam kept popping up, and I realised I needed to actually write about offering health advice, and that’s what this article is about. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about actually being able to help someone, which is way more useful in real life, right?

The Scenario: Markus Needs Help

My friend Markus came to me a few weeks ago, looking completely miserable. He’d been working crazy hours at the Autowerk (car factory) and he was complaining of headaches, stomach problems, and just feeling completely exhausted. He said he’d tried some remedies – drinking lots of coffee, eating convenience store food – but nothing seemed to help. The TELC exam wants you to be able to deal with situations like this, and I thought, “Right, time to put my German to the test!”

My First Attempt – A Disaster!

My first attempt to talk to him was…well, let’s just say it wasn’t great. I started with, “Du musst unbedingt mehr Schlaf bekommen!” (You absolutely must get more sleep!). It sounded so bossy, and Markus just stared at me. He explained, “Ja, ja, ich weiß. Aber ich kann nicht! Ich muss arbeiten!” (Yes, yes, I know. But I can’t! I have to work!). Then, I launched into a lecture about healthy eating – “Du solltest mehr Obst und Gemüse essen!” (You should eat more fruit and vegetables!). He just sighed and said, “Das ist ja jetzt auch nicht der Punkt!” (That’s not the point at all!).

I realised immediately that just telling him what to do wasn’t going to cut it. I needed to be more empathetic and actually listen to his concerns.

Building a Better Conversation – Practical German

Okay, lesson learned. The next time I talked to him, I changed my approach completely. First, I showed genuine concern. “Was ist denn los mit dir? Du siehst so schlecht aus!” (What’s wrong with you? You look so bad!). Then, instead of just giving advice, I asked questions:

• ” Wie lange hast du diese Symptome schon?” (How long have you been experiencing these symptoms?)
• “Was genau fühlst du? Beschreibe es bitte.” (What exactly do you feel? Please describe it.)
• ” Hast du vielleicht Stress?” (Are you maybe stressed?) – Germans love to talk about stress, it’s a big thing!

Markus explained that he was constantly on his feet, lifting heavy parts at the factory. He admitted he wasn’t eating well and was relying on coffee to get through the day. I responded with some more specific, practical advice, but still framed it as a suggestion.

“Vielleicht solltest du versuchen, regelmäßiger zu essen und nicht nur Kaffee zu trinken.” (Maybe you should try to eat more regularly and not just drink coffee.) I also suggested, ” Vielleicht solltest du einen Arzt aufsuchen.” (Maybe you should see a doctor.) – Important to offer that!

Key Vocabulary & Phrases for the TELC Exam

Here’s some key vocabulary and phrases that came up and that I’ve found really useful:

• Schmerzen (pain) – Ich habe Kopfschmerzen. (I have a headache.)
• Gesundheit (health) – Deine Gesundheit ist wichtig! (Your health is important!)
• Regelmäßig (regularly) – Du musst regelmäßig Sport treiben! (You must do sports regularly!)
• Stress (stress) – Ich habe viel Stress. (I have a lot of stress.)
• Ein Arzt aufsuchen (to see a doctor) – Du solltest unbedingt einen Arzt aufsuchen! (You should definitely see a doctor!)
• Ich rate dir… (I advise you to…)
• Vielleicht solltest du… (Maybe you should…)

Real-World Mistakes & Corrections

I made a few other mistakes along the way. I almost said “Du musst dich schonen!” (You must rest!) too forcefully. It sounded a little demanding. I also struggled initially with suggesting healthy food – it felt a bit preachy. The key is to be supportive, not judgmental.

Putting it All Together – TELC B1 Writing Practice

The TELC B1 Writing task asks you to write a short letter or email. So, I practiced writing something like this:

• Subject: Ich hoffe, du geht es dir gut!

• Lieber Markus,

• Ich hoffe, du fühlst dich bald besser. Du siehst wirklich schlecht aus und ich mache mir Sorgen um dich! (Dear Markus,I hope you’re feeling better soon. You really look bad and I’m worried about you!)

• Ich habe gehört, dass du viel Stress hast, weil du so viel in der Arbeit machst. Vielleicht solltest du versuchen, regelmäßiger zu essen und nicht so viel Kaffee zu trinken. Es wäre auch gut, wenn du einen Arzt aufsuchen würdest, um sicherzustellen, dass alles in Ordnung ist. (I’ve heard that you’re stressed because you’re working so much. Maybe you should try to eat more regularly and not drink so much coffee. It would also be good if you saw a doctor to make sure everything is okay.)

• Lass mich wissen, wie es dir geht! (Let me know how you are!)

• Viele Grüße,

• Dein Freund, [Your Name]

Final Thoughts

Seriously, this whole experience – talking to Markus, trying to give him advice, and then thinking about the TELC exam – has been incredibly valuable. It’s not just about knowing the vocabulary and grammar; it’s about understanding how to communicate effectively, especially in a sensitive situation. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! That’s part of the learning process. And remember, being a good friend is always more important than getting a good grade.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go for a walk and get some fresh air…and maybe have an apple! Guten Tag! (Good day!)