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Language Librarian

A2 Guide

Welcome to the A2 stage of German learning! At this level, you’re moving beyond the basics and starting to communicate with a little more flair. Think of A2 as the stage where you gain confidence to handle everyday interactions with ease. It’s not just about surviving anymore—it’s about thriving in simple but meaningful conversations.

Let’s dive into what you’ll learn and how to keep the momentum going.

What You’ll Learn at A2

Vocabulary: Expanding Your Toolbox

By the end of A2, your vocabulary should grow to about 1,300–1,600 words, covering:

  • Daily Life and Activities: Words for work, study, and routines (aufstehen (to get up), sich anziehen (to get dressed)).
  • Travel and Transportation: Asking for directions, booking accommodations, and describing travel plans.
  • Food and Dining: Ordering food, discussing preferences, and basic cooking terms.
  • Health and Body: Describing symptoms and body parts.
  • Hobbies and Free Time: Talking about sports, entertainment, and interests.

Grammar: Building More Complex Sentences

At A2, you’ll solidify your understanding of foundational grammar and start exploring more:

  • The Perfect Tense (Perfekt): Essential for discussing past events. Learn when to use haben vs. sein as auxiliary verbs.
  • Modal Verbs in Action: Expand on können, müssen, wollen, and their uses in polite requests and obligations.
  • Dative Case: Master its use with verbs and prepositions (Ich gebe dem Mann das Buch – I give the man the book).
  • Separable Verbs: Learn to correctly position prefixes in sentences (Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf – I get up at 7 o’clock).
  • Comparatives and Superlatives: Express comparisons like schneller (faster) and am schnellsten (fastest).

Listening and Pronunciation

Your listening skills will improve as you tackle:

  • Short, clear announcements and instructions.
  • Basic telephone conversations.
  • Simple directions and requests.

Keep mimicking native pronunciation and pay attention to how words flow in connected speech.

Speaking: More Confidence in Conversations

You’ll start holding longer conversations. Examples include:

  • Asking for recommendations: Können Sie ein gutes Restaurant empfehlen? (Can you recommend a good restaurant?)
  • Describing your plans: Am Wochenende gehe ich wandern. (I’m going hiking this weekend.)
  • Handling small talk: Das Wetter ist heute schön, oder? (The weather is nice today, isn’t it?)

Reading and Writing

You’ll work on:

  • Reading short texts like emails, advertisements, and simple news articles.
  • Writing personal letters, emails, and short paragraphs about your daily life.

Getting Started: Tools and Strategies

1. Continue Structured Learning

At A2, it’s time to deepen your understanding through structured programs tailored to this level. Our top recommendation continues to be Nicos Weg A2, an excellent free resource for interactive lessons that introduce grammar and vocabulary step-by-step. If you used a different program at A1 and were happy with it though, don’t switch! Continuity and momentum are more important. For more options, visit our recommended resources page.

2. Immerse Yourself in Real-Life Contexts

Immersion doesn’t have to wait for fluency. Start consuming authentic German materials:

  • Watch videos designed for learners like Easy German or shows on ARD Mediathek for a mix of simplified and native content.
  • Read simplified news articles on Nachrichtenleicht to practice comprehension.
  • Use podcasts like Slow German to train your ear with manageable audio and transcripts.

3. Build Confidence Through Output

At A2, it’s essential to actively use the language. Focus on both speaking and writing:

  • Practice speaking with native speakers or fellow learners using iTalki or Tandem.
  • Join conversation groups or online meetups to gain confidence in real-life interactions.
  • Write brief texts about your daily activities, plans, or favorite hobbies. Share your writing on platforms like LangCorrect to get constructive feedback.

4. Leverage Flashcards and Spaced Repetition

Expand your vocabulary systematically with tools like Anki. If you’ve already been using Anki from A1, continue adding to the same deck(s) so you keep your current routine and continue reviewing older material. At this level, you can also consider adding thematic decks, such as travel, health, and hobbies.

5. Transition to Authentic Materials

Challenge yourself with materials closer to native-level content. For example:

  • Explore beginner-friendly books like the Dino lernt Deutsch series.
  • Start following simple recipes, brochures, or advertisements to see grammar and vocabulary in context.
  • Try interactive apps like Clozemaster for sentence-based practice.

Key Focus Areas

  1. Grammar Fundamentals: Strengthen your grasp of the perfect tense, dative case, and modal verbs.
  2. Vocabulary Building: Expand your word bank to describe more aspects of daily life and travel.
  3. Active Production: Speak and write regularly to internalize what you’ve learned.

Moving from A1 to A2 is a big step forward in your German journey. At this stage, you’ll feel more confident navigating real-life situations and expressing yourself. Keep practicing consistently and make learning fun by immersing yourself in the language as much as possible. You’ve got this—on to B1!