The Iceberg of German Fluency, Part 3: Conquering B1

Welcome to the third lesson in my series, “The Iceberg of German Fluency.” In this series, we’re taking a deep dive into the six levels of German learning, from A1 to C2, to uncover what you need to know at each stage to master the language.

At this point in the series, we’ve moved below the surface of the iceberg. The B1 level marks the transition from beginner to intermediate German. While the A1 and A2 levels are about building a basic foundation, B1 is where you begin to expand your communication skills, navigate more complex situations, and develop a deeper understanding of the language. You’ll gain the ability to discuss a wider range of topics, express opinions, and explain your reasoning.

What's in this post?

In this lesson, just like in the previous ones, I’ll break the B1 level into four parts:

1. A general overview of what the B1 level is and what you can expect to achieve.
2. The official CEFR description of the B1 level, so you understand how your skills are measured.
3. A list of the grammar topics you’ll need to master to succeed at this level.
4. The conversational and communicative topics you should focus on to reach B1 proficiency.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll have a clear understanding of what it means to be at the B1 level and how to prepare for it. Be sure to check the video description for links to resources and lessons to help you along the way. Let’s dive into the B1 level!

All Posts in the Iceberg of German Fluency Series

A1 German Iceberg 

A2 German Iceberg

B1 German Iceberg

B2 German Iceberg (Coming Soon)

C1 German Iceberg (Coming Soon)

C2 German Iceberg (Coming Soon)

How many hours does it take to learn B1 German?

At the B1 level, you become an independent user of German. This means you can handle most everyday situations, talk about familiar topics, and even express your thoughts and opinions in simple terms. You’ll begin to understand the main points of spoken and written German in standard language, especially when it comes to work, school, or leisure-related topics.

The vocabulary at this level expands to about 2,000-2500 words, and most learners reach B1 after approximately 300-400 hours of study, usually about 1 to 1.5 years of consistent practice.

CEFR Explanation 

Listening

I can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters  regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. I can understand the main point of many radio  or TV programs on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest when the delivery is relatively slow and clear.

At the B1 level, you can follow conversations about everyday topics and grasp the overall idea of audio content like podcasts or news clips—as long as they aren’t too fast. For example, you might understand a radio segment about an upcoming festival:

Am Wochenende fängt das Oktoberfest in München an. Es gibt viele Attraktionen und gutes Essen. -
This weekend the Oktoberfest in Munich starts. There are many attractions and good food. 

Reading

I can understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language. I can understand the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters.

You’ll be able to read simple articles, emails, or even short stories and get the gist of them. For example, you can follow an article about tips for saving money or read a letter from a friend describing their recent vacation.

Spoken Interaction

I can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. I can enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events).

At this level, you can participate in conversations about your interests, work, or studies. For example, you could handle a conversation about your favorite hobbies:

Ich spiele gern Tennis. Und du? Was machst du in deiner Freizeit? -
I like to play tennis. And you? What do you do in your free time? 

Spoken Production

I can connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, my dreams, hopes and ambitions. I can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. I can narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or film and describe my reactions.

You’ll begin to express yourself with more than just simple sentences. For example, you can describe a recent trip:

Letztes Jahr bin ich nach Hamburg gefahren. Es war sehr interessant, weil ich das Miniatur Wunderland besucht habe. -
Last year I drove to Hamburg. It was very interesting, because I visited the Miniature Wonderland. 

Writing

I can write simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. I can write personal letters describing experiences and impressions.

You’ll start to write longer texts like emails or short essays. For example, you could write an email thanking a friend for their help:

Vielen Dank für deine Unterstützung bei meinem Projekt. Ohne deine Hilfe hätte ich das nicht geschafft. -
Thank you for your support with my project. Without your help I wouldn’t have accomplished it. 

Necessary Grammar

At the B1 level, you’ll need to solidify your understanding of basic grammar and expand into more complex structures. You will notice that a lot of the topics listed at this level are also listed at other levels including the A2 level, which is below this one. That is because at each level you are expanding your understanding of those topics and learning new ways to use the grammar that you have learned. Here’s a list of grammar topics you should master at the B1 level, with links to any lessons that are available on this site.

1. Verbs 
• Konjunktiv 2 for hypotheticals and politeness:
  Wenn ich Zeit hätte… / Könnten Sie mir helfen? -
  If I had time… / Could you help me? 
• Futur 2 for what will be done in the future:
  Er wird gegangen sein. -
  He will have gone.
• Fixed prepositions:
  sich freuen auf, abhängen von, denken an -
  to look forward to, to depend upon, to think about
• Verbs requiring the genitive:
  sich bedienen, sich bewusst sein -
  to use something, to appreciate/be aware of
• Past tense with passive voice:
  Das Auto wurde repariert. -
  The car was repaired.
• Lassen constructions:
  Ich lasse meine Haare schneiden. -
  I am getting my hair cut. (I am letting my hair be cut.)
2. Sentence Structure
• Subordinate clauses with:
  indem, sodass, da, obwohl -
  whilst, so that, because, although
• Relative clauses with prepositions:
  Die Frau, mit der ich gesprochen habe… -
  The woman, with whom I spoke…
• Conditional sentences:
  Wenn ich das gewusst hätte… -
  If I had known that…
• Advanced word order:
  Je mehr ich lerne, desto besser werde ich. -
  The more I learn, the better I become. 
3. Nouns and Articles
• Genitive case with prepositions:
  Wegen des Regens… -
  Because of the rain… 
• Declension of adjectives as nouns:
  Der Kleine ist schneller als der Große. -
  The little one is faster than the tall one.
• Expanded use of weak nouns:
  der Junge, des Jungen, dem Jungen -
  the boy
4. Pronouns
• Advanced relative pronouns: dessen, deren - whose
• Indefinite pronouns: jemand, niemand, man, etwas - someone, no one, one, something/some
• Demonstrative pronouns: dieser, jener, derselbe - this, that, the same
5. Adjectives
• Adjective endings in all four cases
• Comparative phrases:
  Je mehr..., desto besser -
  the more…, the better
• With prepositional complements:
  interessiert an, stolz auf, abhängig von -
  interested in, proud of, dependent on
6. Prepositions
• Idiomatic expressions:
  im Rahmen von, in Bezug auf -
  within the frame of, with regards to
• Prepositional adverbs:
  darauf, daran, damit -
  upon that, on that, with that
• Genitive prepositions:
  trotz, wegen, während -
  despite, because of, during
7. Passive Voice
• Modal verbs in the passive voice:
  Das muss gemacht werden. -
  That had to be done. 
• Past tense of modal verbs in passive voice:
  Das hätte gemacht werden können. -
  This could have been done.
• Impersonal passive voice:
  Es wird getanzt. - There is dancing. 
8. Reported Speech (Indirekte Rede)
• Present:
  Er sagt, er habe keine Zeit. -
  He said, he didn’t have time. 
• Past:
  Er sagte, er hätte keine Zeit gehabt. -
  He said, he wouldn’t have time. 

Conversational & Communicative Topics

At B1, you should practice speaking about a wider range of topics and begin discussing opinions and experiences. Here’s a list to guide your practice:

1. Everyday Functional Communication
• Making and changing appointments:
  Ich wollte fragen, ob wir unseren Termin verschieben können. Passt dir Montag um 10 Uhr besser? -
  I wanted to ask if our appointment could be postponed. Does Monday at 10 work better for you?
• Dealing with problems and complaints:
  Die Heizung funktioniert nicht. Können Sie jemanden schicken? Ich habe ein Problem mit meiner Bestellung. -
  The heat doesn’t work. Can you send someone? I have a problem with my order. 
• Giving and asking for advice:
  Was soll ich tun, wenn ich in Deutschland krank werde? Ich empfehle dir, einen Arzt aufzusuchen. -
  What should I do, if I get sick in Germany? I recommend you find a doctor. 
• Explaining rules and instructions:
  Zuerst drücken Sie den grünen Knopf, dann wählen Sie eine Option. -
  First push the green button, then choose an option. 
2.  Emotions, Reactions & Preferences
• Reacting to news or experiences:
  Das klingt spannend! Ich war total überrascht, als ich das gehört habe. -
  That sounds exciting! I was completely surprised when I heard that. 
• Expressing hopes, dreams, and wishes:
  Ich hoffe, dass ich bald eine Arbeit finde. Ich würde gern mal nach Österreich reisen. -
  I hope that I find work soon. I would like to travel to Austria once. 
• Comparing options and expressing preferences:
  Ich finde das Haus schöner als die Wohnung. Lieber Kaffee als Tee, bitte. -
  I find the house more beautiful than the apartment. 
3. Life Situations
• Finding housing or describing living situations:
  Ich suche eine Wohnung in der Nähe vom Zentrum. Meine Wohnung hat zwei Zimmer und einen Balkon. -
  I am looking for an apartment near the city center. My apartment has two roms and a balcony. 
• Navigating bureaucracy:
  Wo bekomme ich einen Anmeldeschein? Ich brauche einen Termin im Bürgerbüro. -
  Where can I get a registration form? I need an appointment at the Citizens' Office.
• Talking about finances or budgeting:
  Ich muss diesen Monat sparen. Wie viel kostet das Ticket? -
  I need to save money this month. How much does the ticket cost?
4. Culture & Media
• Discussing TV shows, books, movies:
  Ich habe gestern einen spannenden Krimi gesehen. Das Buch war interessant, aber das Ende war enttäuschend. -
  I watched a thrilling crime thriller yesterday. The book was interesting, but the ending was disappointing.
• Talking about traditions and holidays:
  Wie feiert man Weihnachten in Deutschland? Bei uns gibt es am 6. Dezember den Nikolaus. -
  How do people celebrate Christmas in Germany? We celebrate St. Nicholas on December 6th.
• Describing cultural differences:
  In Deutschland ist Pünktlichkeit sehr wichtig. In meinem Heimatland machen wir das anders. -
  In Germany, punctuality is very important. In my home country, we do things differently.
5. School, Work & Career
• Describing educational experiences:
  Ich habe in meiner Heimat Biologie studiert. Ich mache eine Ausbildung als Elektriker. -
  I studied biology in my home country. I'm training to be an electrician.
• Talking about job applications and work tasks:
  Ich habe mich um eine Stelle als Verkäufer beworben. In meinem Job telefoniere ich viel mit Kunden. -
  I've applied for a sales position. My job involves a lot of phone calls with customers.
• Handling interviews or introducing professional experience:
  Ich habe drei Jahre Erfahrung im Kundenservice. -
  I have three years of experience in customer service.
6. Emergencies and Unexpected Situations
• Describing an accident or emergency:
  Ich habe mir den Arm verletzt. Es tut sehr weh. Es gab einen Unfall auf der Straße. -
  I injured my arm. It hurts a lot. There was an accident on the road.
• Calling for help or describing symptoms:
  Ich brauche einen Arzt. Ich habe Kopfschmerzen und Fieber. -
  I need a doctor. I have a headache and a fever.

What´s next?

That’s what you need to reach B1 proficiency in German. You’re no longer just dabbling. You’re functioning. Sure, you’ll make mistakes, but you’re thinking in the language, navigating the culture, and growing your confidence every day.

B1 is your passport to independence in German. You’re through the surface of the water and are ready to explore the vast iceberg beneath. And in the next lesson, we’ll dive even deeper into B2, where things get exciting.