Duits A1.1: Basis Introductie

• German A1.1 is the first level of the German language, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
• It focuses on basic communication skills.
• Learners can understand and use familiar, everyday expressions and very basic phrases.
• They can introduce themselves and others, and ask and answer questions about personal details.
• They can interact in a simple way, provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

Key Topics Covered in A1.1

• Alphabet and pronunciation: Learning the German alphabet, including special characters (ä, ö, ü, ß), and mastering basic pronunciation rules.
  • Focus is placed on understanding and producing sounds correctly.
• Greetings and introductions: Introducing oneself and others, using formal and informal greetings.
  • Example: "Hallo," "Guten Tag," "Wie geht es Ihnen/dir?" "Ich heiße..."
• Numbers: Counting from 0 to 100 and using numbers in simple contexts.
  • Example: stating age, phone number, or quantity.
• Personal information: Asking and giving information about name, age, origin, address, and family.
  • Common questions: "Wie heißen Sie?", "Wo wohnen Sie?", "Wie alt sind Sie?"
• Basic vocabulary: Learning essential vocabulary related to everyday life.
  • Includes words for: family, food, hobbies, colors, days of the week, months, seasons.
• Simple sentences: Constructing simple sentences using basic sentence structure.
  • Focus is on subject-verb-object order.
• Verb conjugation: Learning the conjugation of regular verbs in present tense.
  • Important verbs: "sein" (to be), "haben" (to have), "wohnen" (to live), "heißen" (to be called).
• Articles: Understanding and using definite (der, die, das) and indefinite (ein, eine, ein) articles.
  • Correct article usage is essential for grammatical accuracy.
• Plural forms: Learning the most common ways to form plurals of nouns.
  • German plural forms can be irregular, so memorization is often necessary.
• Asking questions: Forming simple questions using question words (wer, was, wo, wie, wann, warum).
  • Examples: "Wer ist das?", "Was ist das?", "Wo wohnen Sie?"
• Expressing likes and dislikes: Using simple phrases to express preferences.
  • Examples: "Ich mag...", "Ich mag nicht...", "Ich finde... gut/schlecht."
• Giving simple directions: Understanding and giving basic directions.
  • Prepositions of place are important: "links," "rechts," "geradeaus."
• Telling time: Learning to tell time and talk about daily routines.
  • Includes understanding the 24-hour clock format.

Grammar Essentials

• Sentence Structure: The typical word order in a German main clause is Subject-Verb-Object (SVO).
  • However, the verb usually comes in the second position.
• Nominative Case: A1.1 primarily focuses on the nominative case.
  • Used for the subject of the sentence.
• Definite and Indefinite Articles: "Der," "die," and "das" are definite articles (the). "Ein" and "eine" are indefinite articles (a/an).
• Personal Pronouns: "Ich," "du," "er," "sie," "es," "wir," "ihr," "sie," "Sie" are the personal pronouns.
• Verb Conjugation in Present Tense: Regular verbs are conjugated by adding endings to the verb stem.
  • Example: "machen" (to do) - ich mache, du machst, er/sie/es macht, wir machen, ihr macht, sie/Sie machen
• "Sein" and "Haben": "Sein" (to be) and "haben" (to have) are irregular and frequently used.
  • Their conjugations must be memorized.

Vocabulary Themes

• Family: "Mutter," "Vater," "Bruder," "Schwester," "Eltern," "Kind."
• Food and Drinks: "Brot," "Wasser," "Kaffee," "Tee," "Obst," "Gemüse."
• Hobbies: "Lesen," "Singen," "Tanzen," "Sport," "Reisen."
• Colors: "Rot," "Blau," "Grün," "Gelb," "Schwarz," "Weiß."
• Days of the Week: "Montag," "Dienstag," "Mittwoch," "Donnerstag," "Freitag," "Samstag," "Sonntag."
• Months: "Januar," "Februar," "März," "April," "Mai," "Juni," "Juli," "August," "September," "Oktober," "November," "Dezember."
• Seasons: "Frühling," "Sommer," "Herbst," "Winter."
• Places: "Haus," "Schule," "Arbeit," "Stadt," "Land."

Communication Skills

• Introducing Yourself: Stating your name, age, and origin.
  • Example: "Ich heiße [Name], ich bin [Alter] Jahre alt, und ich komme aus [Land]."
• Asking for Information: Asking simple questions to get information.
  • Example: "Wie bitte?", "Was bedeutet das?", "Können Sie das wiederholen?"
• Describing People and Objects: Using adjectives to describe basic characteristics.
  • Example: "Das ist ein kleines Haus.", "Er ist ein netter Mann."
• Expressing Needs and Wants: Making simple requests and expressing desires.
  • Example: "Ich möchte...", "Ich brauche..."
• Understanding Simple Instructions: Following basic commands and directions.
  • Example: "Komm hier!", "Mach das Fenster auf!", "Schreib das auf!"

Common Phrases

• Wie geht es Ihnen/dir?: How are you? (formal/informal)
• Mir geht es gut, danke.: I am fine, thank you.
• Wie heißen Sie/heißt du?: What is your name? (formal/informal)
• Ich wohne in [Stadt].: I live in [City].
• Was ist das?: What is that?
• Wo ist die Toilette?: Where is the toilet?
• Entschuldigung.: Excuse me/Sorry.
• Auf Wiedersehen.: Goodbye.
• Bis bald.: See you soon.

Learning Tips for A1.1

• Practice regularly: Consistent practice is key to mastering the basics.
• Use flashcards: Flashcards are helpful for memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules.
• Speak from day one: Don't be afraid to speak, even if you make mistakes.
• Listen to German: Listen to German music, podcasts, or watch German videos to improve listening comprehension.
• Find a language partner: Practice speaking with a native speaker or another learner.
• Use online resources: There are many free online resources for learning German, such as Duolingo, Memrise, and Deutsche Welle.
• Take a structured course: Enrolling in a structured A1.1 course can provide a solid foundation.
• Set realistic goals: Focus on achievable goals and celebrate your progress.
• Be patient: Learning a new language takes time and effort.

Cultural Insights for Beginners

• Politeness: Germans generally value politeness and directness.
• Formal vs. Informal: It's important to distinguish between formal and informal greetings and address.
  • Use "Sie" (formal you) with people you don't know well or who are older than you. Use "du" (informal you) with friends, family, and children.
• Punctuality: Being on time is generally important in German culture.
• Greetings: A handshake is a common greeting in formal situations, while a brief hug or cheek kiss may be appropriate among friends.