telc Deutsch A1 - the exam for a spouse visa, explained
telc Deutsch A1 is a beginner-level German exam of about 80 minutes in four parts, passed with 60 of 100 points, and it is the certificate most commonly used to meet the language requirement for a German spouse visa.
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What the exam consists of
- ListeningHören
- ReadingLesen
- WritingSchreiben
- SpeakingSprechen
Try a few real questions
0 / 3
Ergänzen Sie: Wie ___ du? - Ich heiße Amir.
Ergänzen Sie: Ich komme ___ Syrien.
Welche Antwort passt? Wo wohnen Sie?
Who telc Deutsch A1 is for
A1 is the first CEFR level. It certifies that you can introduce yourself, ask and answer simple questions about where you live and what you do, and understand everyday phrases spoken slowly and clearly.
Most people taking it are not doing so out of interest. The dominant reason is the spouse visa (Ehegattennachzug): German missions require proof of simple German before issuing the visa, and A1 is the level that satisfies it. That makes this a procedural exam, and the practical questions - which certificate is accepted, where to sit it, how quickly - matter more than the linguistics.
Exam format
| Part | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Hören | ~20 min | 25 |
| Lesen | ~25 min | 25 |
| Schreiben | ~20 min | 25 |
| Sprechen | ~15 min | 25 |
| Total | ~80 min | 100 |
The speaking part is taken in a small group and has three short stages: introducing yourself, asking and answering a question from a prompt card, and making a simple request.
What to expect at this level
The vocabulary is small and completely predictable: personal details, family, housing, shopping, times and dates, simple directions. The grammar covers present tense, basic word order, the difference between wo / woher / wohin, and possessives.
Two things trip people up more than grammar. Numbers, which are said in reverse order in German (einundzwanzig for 21) and appear in almost every listening task. And spelling your own name aloud, which the speaking part asks for and which nobody practises.
Passing
60 of 100 points, calculated on the total. Unlike the higher telc exams, there is no separate threshold for the oral part at A1, so a weak speaking result can be offset by the written sections.
That said, the speaking part is the one candidates find hardest to prepare alone - you cannot rehearse a conversation by yourself, and reading answers silently trains nothing.
Frequently asked questions
Is telc Deutsch A1 accepted for a German spouse visa?
Yes. For family reunification with a spouse, German missions require proof of simple German at A1 level, and a telc Deutsch A1 certificate is among the accepted proofs. Requirements differ by nationality and by circumstance, so confirm with the embassy handling your application before booking.
How many points do you need to pass telc Deutsch A1?
60 of 100 points. The four parts - listening, reading, writing and speaking - are worth 25 points each, and the pass is calculated on the total rather than on each part separately.
How long does telc Deutsch A1 take?
About 65 minutes of written exam plus a speaking part of roughly 15 minutes, usually taken in a small group. Allow around two hours at the centre in total.
How long does it take to reach A1?
Typically 80 to 200 hours of study, depending on your first language and whether the Latin alphabet is new to you. An intensive course covers it in six to eight weeks.
What is the difference between telc Deutsch A1 and Start Deutsch 1?
Very little in practice. Start Deutsch 1 is the Goethe-Institut name for the same level and the two are jointly developed. Both are accepted for the spouse visa. Choose by which exam centre is closer and cheaper.
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