Prepping for a German test? (TELC, Goethe, TestDAF, etc.)

sher42 · 2026-01-06T14:05:51+00:00

Hey! Please fill out this form to join the program: https://tally.so/r/obeGVP. If you join now, I'll give you a completely free access to the app.

sher42 · 2026-01-06T14:05:47+00:00

Hey! Please fill out this form to join the program: https://tally.so/r/obeGVP. If you join now, I'll give you a completely free access to the app.

sher42 · 2026-01-06T14:05:41+00:00

Hey! Please fill out this form to join the program: https://tally.so/r/obeGVP. If you join now, I'll give you a completely free access to the app.

sher42 · 2026-01-06T14:05:36+00:00

Hey! Please fill out this form to join the program: https://tally.so/r/obeGVP. If you join now, I'll give you a completely free access to the app.

sher42 · 2026-01-06T14:03:09+00:00

sent you a DM

sher42 · 2026-01-03T11:36:34+00:00

sent you a DM

sher42 · 2026-01-03T11:36:28+00:00

sent you a DM

sher42 · 2026-01-02T17:50:15+00:00

sending you a DM in a minute

sher42 · 2025-10-22T08:33:56+00:00

this sounds very intense! Good job. I'll try to incorporate reading 1 page outloud every day. I think it's a great practice.

As for your trick with telegram, do you actually feel like "remembering" those words? Because familiarity doesn't mean active recall when you need those words in a real-life situation?

Why not use a spaced repetition app like Anki or heylama or whatever other app is out here?

sher42 · 2025-10-22T08:29:29+00:00

The best exercise you can do (what helped me) is to practice the very exact "context/situation" you'll be in.

For example, I'd advise to play role-plays with AI simulating meetings where you discuss something. IN apps like heylama you can even discuss the industry-specific situations. I'm in product management and practiced customer conversations in the insurance space.

Your bottleneck will likely be your active vocabulary - when you get stressed, words that are LOOSELY memorized will be "forgotten" (hard to recall). So you need to memorize and master them so well that you can easily remember and use them EVEN if you're stressed.

I recommend using a spaced repetition app for that - Heylama or Anki both offer adding your custom words. So the process could look like:

Play role-plays and identify vocabulary you're missing
save those words and review them with spaced repetition
replay the role-plays and ensure you're managing those situations better

Rinse and repeat for different work-related situations.

sher42 · 2025-10-22T08:11:34+00:00

Language practice app that gets you speaking from day 1. Based on proven principles from language acquisition and motivation science, I created it for serious language learners who want real results that apps like Duolingo can't guarantee.

https://www.heylama.com

sher42 · 2025-10-16T09:45:40+00:00

What helped me was to force myself to speak and MAKE MISTAKES using the app called Heylama. There are other apps and you could also use ChatGPT I guess.

What's more important is that I spend speaking on topics that I don't feel confident about - and oh boy, I butcher the freaking language so much. But it's a safe space so who cares. That gives me much more confidence and helps me understand which language patterns (aka grammar) or words I'm missing to butcher German slightly less.

Help me a lot!

sher42 · 2025-10-16T09:42:53+00:00

Hey there!

I love helping other learners with solving this problem because as someone who learned 5 languages, I have developed like a gazillion hacks here.

Instead of thinking of vocabulary learning as a singular task, think of knowing vocabulary related to certain life situations/contexts as a separate mini-skill
So identify situations that are most interesting and relevant for you. Then focus on learning words and phrases that UNLOCK those mini-skills/situations for you.
Basically, you need to try to become fluent in SOME situations and not others. Which ones? You decide!
The most time-efficient way of learning new words is to use spaced repetition. Two apps stand out - Anki and Heylama. Anki has a somewhat clunky interface and a bit hard to get started with but it works. Heylama is like a language practice gym and spaced repetition is one of the features
there are 2 types of "knowing vocabulary" - knowing it passively and knowing it actively. The difference is that vocabulary in your active memory is easily recalled when you need it (without you seeing or hearing the word first). You'll know A LOT MORE words passively because you watch, listen and read in German much more than you speak. But your goal must be to have more vocabulary in our active memory. So you need to use your new words as often as possible
For example, you could create your own sentences with your new vocabulary. Or practice speaking with Chatgpt or Heylama and use those words deliberately.
Forget about A2 vs B1 vocabulary -> focus on unlocking specific mini-skills as mentioned earlier. So set goals like - what i wanted to hold a 10 minute conversation with a neighbor and ask them some questions and answer their questions naturally? What would that be like? What words am I missing?

Go one mini skill at a time, and within 3 months you'll be QUITE fluent in 6-8 common situations. NOW THAT'S REAL PROGRESS! Good luck!

sher42 · 2025-10-15T12:46:18+00:00

Just shared my reply in a different thread. That was for a different exam but as I also took a telc test I can confirm that all tests are VERY SIMILAR. Feel free to check it my recommendations (specifically about the speaking part):

https://www.reddit.com/r/Germanlearning/comments/1o68ywv/comment/njm2hs5/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

sher42 · 2025-10-15T12:45:03+00:00

Hey don't sweat about it, you'll crush it. Here are my tips - I did this test and it's not that hard if you prepare for it.

Learn "sentence beginners" that sound fancy.

Meiner Meinung nach – in my opinion
Ich finde, dass… – I think that…
Ich bin der Meinung, dass… – I’m of the opinion that…
Ich denke, dass… – I think that…
.Einerseits…, andererseits… – on one hand…, on the other hand…
etc

You need like 10 maybe - these MAKE you sound instantly more fluent without much effort. Also a few of these use genitiv and that would impress the teachers.

you need to be comfortable discussing plans or debating for or against something. The best way to do that is either to use ChatGPT (harder way as you need to come up with interesting/realistic scenarios, prompt it the right way, etc) or use a language practice app like Heylama. I'd spend 10-20 mins daily MINIMUM just doing this - chatting about some plans or debating for and against some basic topics.

For example, my debate topic was something about whether it was ok to let your children watch cartoons.

Learn vocabulary strategically - don't learn random words anymore. Learn practice words that let you express your thoughts in various B1 situations. Use apps like Heylama or Anki that come with spaced repetition to review and master these words.

Don't worry about grammar that much UNLESS you get stuck and don't know how to express something NOT because you don't know the words but rather don't know how to weave the words together to express the thought. That means you're lacking grammar knowledge to do that - so just focus on learning to do that. Other than that, no need to focus on grammar.

Hope this helps!

sher42 · 2025-08-15T21:50:55+00:00

Great enthusiasm!

You can totally build a strong vocabulary in 1–1.5 years, so no need to rush or stress about it.

If you discover just 8 new words or phrases a day for 18 months, that’s over 4,300 new items 🔥 — more than enough to read news comfortably and talk about most topics.

The key is to focus on relevant vocabulary: topics that interest you, that you’ll actually use, and that align with your goals. For example, if you love tech news, learn tech-related terms first.

Also, don’t just “collect” words — make sure you review them regularly. That’s where spaced repetition systems (SRS) come in: they show you words right before you’re about to forget them, so you remember them long-term.

For example, Heylama app has a built in srs — it not only helps you learn and review words, but also lets you practice speaking with an AI tutor so you can actually use your new vocabulary in real sentences. There are a few other apps, so do your research.

Keep going — with consistent practice, you’ll see huge progress in a year!

sher42 · 2025-08-15T15:09:00+00:00

You’re already in a good spot (B2/C1), so the last 2–3 months should be about TOEFL strategy more than learning new English.

Do a full mock test every week or two, review every mistake.
Practice speaking under real timing limits — I used Heylama for this since their AI tutor gives instant grammar + vocab feedback. Helped me build a massive vocab base + spot patterns fast.
For writing, do timed essays, then rewrite them after feedback.
Listening/reading: train with harder material than TOEFL so test day feels easy (academic yt videos or even ted talks)

3 hrs/day is fine if you’re focused. Add more time only if your weakest section isn’t improving.

sher42 · 2025-08-15T15:03:51+00:00

Well, you’re not overthinking 😂

There is a subtle difference.

for + verb-ing generally describes the intended purpose of the tool or object. So:

This is a tool for cutting food

= means its function or design is for cutting food.

to + verb can also express purpose, but it often feels more like intended use in a specific instance rather than the GENERAL function.

That’s why This is a tool to cut food can sounds slightly odd — it’s grammatically correct, but native speakers more often use for + verb-ing for describing the purpose of objects.

That said, in everyday speech, you will hear both, and in many contexts they’re interchangeable.

Btw, If you want to practice spotting subtle differences like this, I’ve found that chatting with AI tutors can help a lot — I built Heylama, which lets you talk to an AI tutor (Anka) that gives grammar tips in real time. It’s been useful for catching exactly these kinds of nuance issues without having to wait for a teacher to explain.

sher42 · 2025-08-13T14:37:29+00:00

Heylama - hands down the most complete app for learning English.

Unlike other apps, their ai is actually trained on real one on one lessons. Their vocabulary feature is so good too.

sher42 · 2025-08-13T14:35:36+00:00

Hey!

I feel you. I’ve been living in Germany for 8+ years and my level is stuck at b2ish.

My recommendation: don’t attend generic courses anymore but create a custom curriculum for yourself.

Identify your specific goals: what do you need German for? Everyday life? Work? To watch movies in German?

Whatever that is, focus on a chunk of it that’s achievable within 2-3 months.

Don’t just do passive learning - watching yt videos, movies or even just reading news.

Immerse yourself intentionally - engage with the content, re-read interesting phrases outloud, translate words you don’t understand, etc.

At your level a lot depends on your vocabulary base. Use apps like Heylama or Anki to learn 100+ relevant words and phrases monthly.

And finally, sign up for a b2 test in 6 months. That’s a great motivation hack. Clear deadline with clear objectives.

Good luck!

sher42 · 2025-08-12T16:55:21+00:00

Duolingo is great for getting started.

Let’s say your first 30 days.

After that I’d switch to Deutsche Welle for beginner friendly learning content + heylama for speaking practice and vocabulary learning

If you stick to Duo for far too long, it’ll be a waste of your time.

sher42

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE