Course Overview
German at the foundation level.
A1 is where the journey begins. Over 90 structured sessions of live instruction, you will move from never having seen the German alphabet to confidently introducing yourself, asking questions, and holding short conversations on everyday topics.
This level is built for the absolute beginner. We assume nothing. We start with the alphabet, the numbers, and the sounds of German — and we build from there. By the end, you will speak basic German, understand simple texts, write short messages, and be ready to clear the Goethe-Zertifikat A1 on your first attempt.
Is A1 right for you?
Who this is — and isn't — for.
Honest self-assessment now saves frustration later. A1 has specific prerequisites.
✓Right for you if
- Absolute beginners who have never studied German
- Self-learners who tried apps and want structure
- Students planning university applications abroad
- Professionals exploring German for career options
- Anyone preparing for the Goethe-Zertifikat A1 exam
- Travellers wanting practical conversational German
×Not for you if
- Scholars who can already introduce themselves in German
- Anyone who has cleared A1 from another institute
- Learners targeting the A2 level — start at A2 instead
- Speakers from German-influenced backgrounds (start with placement test)
Sample Session
A look at Day One.
No black box. Here is exactly how your first 45-minute session unfolds.
Session 01 · 45 minutes
A1 · First Session Preview
Live faculty. Real cohort. The first time the language opens up at the A1 level.
0 — 5 min
Welcome & kursvorstellung
Introductions in English. Course roadmap. Faculty introduction.
5 — 15 min
The German alphabet
Letter sounds, special characters (ä, ö, ü, ß), pronunciation drills.
15 — 25 min
Numbers 1 — 20
Counting, listening practice, phone-number dictation.
25 — 35 min
Greetings & introductions
Guten Tag · Wie heißen Sie? · Ich heiße… · Woher kommen Sie?
35 — 45 min
Practice & homework
Cohort introductions in pairs. Self-study assignment.
Curriculum
The A1 curriculum, in detail.
Three modules, 90 sessions, paced over 20 weeks Regular or 10 weeks Fast Track. Topics, grammar, and communication skills — explicit and structured.
01
Weeks 1 – 4
Module 1: First Words
Vocabulary & Topics
- Alphabet & pronunciation
- Numbers 1 – 1,000
- Days, months, time
- Family vocabulary
- Food & drink basics
Grammar
- Articles (der, die, das)
- Personal pronouns
- Sein & haben
- Regular present tense
- Simple W-questions
Communication
- Self-introduction
- Asking for information
- Ordering in a café
- Talking about family
- Telling time
02
Weeks 5 – 8
Module 2: Daily Life
Vocabulary & Topics
- Hobbies & activities
- Travel vocabulary
- Home & furniture
- Shopping basics
- Weather & seasons
Grammar
- Regular & irregular verbs
- Modal verbs (können, möchten)
- Negation (nicht, kein)
- Accusative case
- Possessive pronouns
Communication
- Describing your day
- Making plans
- Shopping conversations
- Describing your home
- Weather small talk
03
Weeks 9 – 12
Module 3: Goethe A1 Ready
Vocabulary & Topics
- Review all vocabulary
- Common A1 topics
- Exam-format reading
- Listening practice
- Writing short messages
Grammar
- Review of all A1 grammar
- Sentence-building drill
- Common error correction
- Pronunciation refinement
Communication
- Hören mock testing
- Lesen mock testing
- Schreiben mock testing
- Sprechen practice
- Personalised feedback
Exam Preparation
Goethe-Zertifikat A1 — preparation built in.
Your target
Goethe-Zertifikat A1
98%
First-attempt
pass rate
The Goethe-Zertifikat A1 is the internationally recognised first certification of German competence. It tests four sections — Hören (listening), Lesen (reading), Schreiben (writing), and Sprechen (speaking) — and is the minimum requirement for spouse-reunion visas to Germany.
Our 9-session exam preparation block at the end of the course includes section-wise mock testing, faculty-graded feedback on writing samples, and oral practice sessions. Our first-attempt pass rate for A1 is 98%.
Hören · Listening
20 min · 15 questions · short audio
Lesen · Reading
25 min · 15 questions · simple texts
Schreiben · Writing
20 min · form + short message
Sprechen · Speaking
15 min · paired oral exam
A Schiller A1 scholar
In their own words.
PR
A1 Scholar
"I had never seen the German alphabet before joining Schiller. By week four I could introduce myself fluently. Twelve weeks later I cleared Goethe A1 with 88/100. The faculty knew my name by the second class. That mattered."
What Comes Next
After A1, your next step.
A2 picks up where A1 leaves off — the perfect tense, modal verbs, real conversations. Your German starts feeling natural.
Explore Other Levels
All six levels of German.
Browse the full Schiller curriculum — A1 through C2.
Frequently Asked
Questions about A1.
11 questions about A1 — straight answers, no fluff.
Do I need any prior German knowledge for A1?+
None at all. A1 is designed for absolute beginners. We start from the alphabet. If you already know some German, take our free placement test to find your right starting level.
How long does it take to complete A1?+
Regular: 20 weeks at a steady weekly pace. Fast Track: 10 weeks for goal-oriented learners on a tighter timeline. Same 90 sessions, same curriculum, same faculty — only the pace differs.
How many sessions per week is the A1 course?+
Approximately 4 – 5 sessions per week for Regular pace (90 sessions over 20 weeks), and 8 – 9 sessions per week for Fast Track (90 sessions over 10 weeks). Each session is 45 minutes, with breaks built in.
What textbook do I get?+
Our Schiller A1 textbook — ISBN-registered, authored by our faculty for the Indian learner. It is included in your course fee. No photocopies or third-party PDFs.
Is the Goethe A1 exam included in the fee?+
The preparation for Goethe A1 is included — 9 dedicated sessions plus mock tests. The exam fee itself is paid separately to the Goethe-Institut at the time of registration (currently ~₹6,000).
What can I do after completing A1?+
You will be able to introduce yourself, ask basic questions, hold short conversations on familiar topics, write simple messages, and clear the Goethe A1 exam. The natural next step is A2.
Will I become fluent at A1?+
No — fluency requires B2 minimum. A1 gives you a strong foundation: vocabulary, grammar basics, pronunciation, and conversational confidence on simple topics.
Are A1 classes online or offline?+
All classes are conducted live online via video conferencing. You can join from anywhere in India or abroad. Recordings are provided for revision only.
What if I miss a session?+
Every session is recorded and shared with the cohort. You can revisit it anytime during the course. Your faculty also offers brief catch-up sessions if you fall behind.
Is EMI available for A1?+
Yes — flexible no-cost EMI is available across all batch types. Specific tenure options are shared by our admissions counsellor.
Can I switch from Regular to Fast Track mid-course?+
Switching mid-course is generally not advisable, but we accommodate genuine cases. Speak with our admissions counsellor at the earliest if you anticipate the need.