How to Learn German Fast - Replies to Some Comments on TestDaF :)

How to Learn German Fast - Replies to Some Comments on TestDaF :)

Hello my dear friends, readers, neighbours, students, German Society members, and passerbys!

I am sorry that I have not been posting the new verbs and vocabulary lists that I promised, as I have been very busy. I am sorry! However, as this is more important, here goes:

Replies to Comments And Questions About the TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache)

For your convenience, and also since those who asked nice questions need nice answers, here they are:

Ich habe mein ZD mit "sehr gut" bestanden. Ist TestDaF viel schwieriger als ZD? Wie kann ich es vorbereiten? Jetzt lerne ich selbst.Vielen Dank im Voraus!

Hallo!! Eigentlich weiss ich wirklich nicht, ob ZD einfacher ist oder nicht. Aber ich habe Freunde - sie sagen, dass TestDaf schwerer ist. Vielleicht viel' Uebung, meine Tipps benutzen, und naturlich viel lesen, hoeren und schreiben.

Good luck! Ich meine, I think that you should be fine since you obviously write German quite well, or even better than me :)

I'd say you can read the stuff on my blog all you want, but it's best that you apply basic principles of learning. Good luck, friend :) All the best!

I hope that answers the query and I certainly hope that I didn't reply it too late. Viel Glueck! Ich meine, ich hab' einmal gehoert: ohne fleiss, kein Preis (oder sowas, etwas aehnlich). Hoffentlich schaffst du es :)

Hi dude

I want to take TestDaf as well, and found your tips very useful.

But can you tell me where can I find listening and reading resources.

Is that really true that TestDaf is not really concentrated on grammar?

Thanks for the comments. Yes, the Testdaf is mainly language use and isn't about grammar, so you will be alright as long as you have a basic grasp of German grammar. They won't really hurt you if your grammar is bad, as long as you can speak and write German. However, it goes without saying that you need to know the basics and can operate well in German.

You can find all sorts of listening and reading sources on my site; just use the righthand sidebar, because I've written about youtube and Der Spiegel Online and Angela Merkel stuff, as all that can help you in your exams.

Cheers! All the best :)

My name is Luciana and I´m preparing myself to take the Test DAF in June in Brazil. Can you tell me please how could I also receive my examination results per e-mail?

Hallo Luciana,

Keine Sorge! OK, I'm not sure how the Testdaf works in Brazil but I guess that it works the same as in Singapore.

You will receive your exam results from the Goethe Institut, so I guess that there must be a branch in Brazil. You can request for an email notification, but rest assured you will also get a certificate of your success at the Testdaf.

I hope that helps :) Other suggestions:

1. You can ask your German lecturer, if he/she works part time at the testing centre (sometimes Goethe, sometimes University).

2. You can go to the testdaf website to check it out?

All the best! Viel Glueck und alles Gute

Ich werde den TestDaf am 10. Februar schreiben und bin so aufgeregt. Mein Problem ist, dass man nicht so viele Quelle auf Internet finden kann. Ich mache mir Sorgen besonders um den Mündlicher Ausdruck Teil. Ich habe fast keine Idee wie man eine Grafik beschreibt.

Any Suggestions?

Man kann viele Quelle auf dem Internet finden, vielleicht Der Spiegel (fuer Nachrichten), TestDaf Practice Examen und so weiter.

Mach' dir bitte keine Sorge! Haha fuer muendliche Pruefungen -

1. Man muss klar und deutlich sprechen

2. Man muss Konjunktionen benutzen - (at least, I think the examiners loved it since they gave me a good grade...)

3. Man soll viel ueben.

4. Vielleicht ein Partner finden, zum Beispiel ein Klassenkamerad?

Eigentlich finde ich, dass du sehr fliessend Deutsch schreiben kannst. Better than me, I'm sure.

Viel Glueck beim Test! :)

I missed out the second part,about describing Graphics and Diagrams. My mistake!

This might sound too easy or wrong, but it's true - just learn how to say "It is an increasing trend" or "it is increasing" or "it is decreasing". In fact, the most marks are given still - apparently - for 1. clear German with correct pronunciation, 2. lots of conjunctions and connections between sentences, and 3. practised answers. I hope that answers the question.

To all my readers, thanks for your continued support for my How to Learn German Fast site, where I teach how to learn languages in general and how to learn German in particular. Thank you for your kind comments and for your generous support.

Thanks and cheers,

Shawn

How to Learn German Fast! - my language learning site.

How to learn German fast - Notice and Replies to Some Comments! :)

How to learn German fast - Notice and Replies to Some Comments! :)

Hello dear readers - sorry that I've been busy with other things for too long! Here's a quick reply to a message that I was sent, which I think needs or deserves a nice reply:

Ich habe mein ZD mit "sehr gut" bestanden. Ist TestDaF viel schwieriger als ZD? Wie kann ich es vorbereiten? Jetzt lerne ich selbst.Vielen Dank im Voraus!

Hallo!! Eigentlich weiss ich wirklich nicht, ob ZD einfacher ist oder nicht. Aber ich habe Freunde - sie sagen, dass TestDaf schwerer ist. Vielleicht viel' Uebung, meine Tipps benutzen, und naturlich viel lesen, hoeren und schreiben.

Good luck! Ich meine, I think that you should be fine since you obviously write German quite well, or even better than me :)

I'd say you can read the stuff on my blog all you want, but it's best that you apply basic principles of learning. Good luck, friend :) All the best!

I hope that answers the query and I certainly hope that I didn't reply it too late. Viel Glueck! Ich meine, ich hab' einmal gehoert: ohne fleiss, kein Preis (oder sowas, etwas aehnlich). Hoffentlich schaffst du es :)

The second reply to a comment is going to be quite different.

Someone wrote some nasty comment in Chinese (Mandarin, actually), which I deleted. It's gone.

First, How to Learn German Fast is my site, and I've every right to write what I feel is nice, necessary, important, or good and whatever I share is what I wish to share with you. I share language learning tips and some simple language stuff and materials here.

The thing is, I really don't like nasty comments or bad, poor comments on my language learning site. I think it's bad in taste and it's certainly silly to write negative things on other people's sites if they are trying to provide a nice social or language learning service. Why give bad comments when you can be nice and just read other things? Furthermore, I make it clear when I'm writing my opinion, and I also make it clear when I am citing or borrowing materials to share with my readers or fellow online bloggers. I think it's important to know what you're reading and whether criticism is due. (E.g. how can you criticise a grammar list or a vocabulary list? How can you criticise an opinion on how to learn German??)

I read and censor all comments, so please, please, if there are any nasty comments or negative things, leave them out. Thank you very much! If you want to ask questions, feel free to do so and I'll reply as and when I am able to, and I will try to help you to the best of my advice-giving abilities (and tip giving abilities, too). I've only learnt German for 5 plus years and have spoken it, now, perhaps about 8-10 years, on and off, so you can't expect me to be a genius at it, or certainly not as good as a native speaker. (Were I a native German speaker, why would I need to do the Testdaf?)

Thank you for comments but I'd prefer nice comments or questions rather than criticisms or bad, nasty, overly critical opinions. And no advertisements other than the ones I have, please! And oh, while I understand German, English and Chinese (Mandarin), please don't write bad things in any of those languages, because I understand them. Thanks for your kind understanding :)

Anyways, I hope I answered the two comments sufficiently! Thanks for reading and cheers. To all my other readers, do keep your comments coming and I will try to reply. We can all learn from each other and keep our love of the German language going. Thanks again and see you soon :)

How to learn German Fast! :)

Learn how to learn a language on my language learning site

Tips on TestDaF preparation

Tips on TestDaF preparation

Or: tips on Testdaf preparation

(In the course of this exam preparation article, I will refer to the German language examination TestDaF as Testdaf, because it is simpler for me to type it out here in this post in this particular manner "Testdaf".)

Many students worldwide are interesting in learning tips and ideas on how to prepare for the Testdaf, the Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache. In my How to Learn German Fast blog, I have outlined a system of learning German for beginners or intermediate learners. Now I will be giving tips and ideas on how to prepare and study for the Testdaf, because that is one of the more common foreign language tests for foreigners who want to work or study in Germany, and also because the Testdaf was the test that I did for my German language proficiency. I myself have done the Testdaf and it was a very interesting and useful examination for me, personally.

I will outline my personal journey and personal preparation for the Testdaf examination, and then offer a system or suggestions that you may wish to follow or adopt for your examination preparations.

Firstly, I found out all about the Testdaf examination, information, format and rubric from the Testdaf Institute. This was in December 2005 (I did the examination in April 2007). You can visit the Testdaf Institute at this website http://www.testdaf.de/.

It is important to know the rubric of the Testdaf, the sections and the requirements for the various differentiated gradings, and the like. The results are either 3, 4 or 5 for each section, where Testdaf level 5 is the highest, and Testdaf level 3 is the lowest possible, since 2 and 1 are not graded and not shown on the results slip. Testdaf level 5 means that you have an excellent command of the German language and that your skills are above and beyond what is required. It is a good idea to aim for all levels 4 and 5 when you take the Testdaf. The sections are: reading comprehension, listening comprehension, writing and oral/ speaking. These four subsections in the Testdaf examination all carry a grade from levels 3 to 5. You can see my own personal Testdaf results here on this post. In any case, all the Testdaf levels (Niveau) are available freely on the Internet along with the requirements, criteria and description of the examination levels and what they mean, and, in addition, there are many online German courses and German programmes that you can choose to have a look at, some dealing with the Testdaf and others dealing with the German language.

Secondly, I started preparing for the various sections. I did this individually and separately. By the way, if you have not read how to learn German yet, my system on how to learn German fast offers insight into a training programme that is viable and fun, and that involves technology in terms of courses and youtube and entertainment via the Internet, among other tips and ideas. If you have read my articles and my system on how to learn German fast already, then you can focus on the tips and ideas part of this post and perhaps skip my personal Testdaf journey.

To prepare for the reading comprehension section, I read the Der Spiegel Nachrichten every day, choosing articles that had themes and ideas similar to the Testdaf examination topics. I also borrowed books and magazines from the University library in order to familiarise myself with formal and standard German. It was a rather interesting and enjoyable academic time!

To prepare for the listening comprehension section, I stepped up my youtube entertainment programme and also listened to many podcasts by Angela Merkel and Der Spiegel TV Online. I also listened to Ehrensenf and TV Total and tried to pick out what they were saying. Later on this proved invaluable to me because the listening comprehension section of the Testdaf is actually read and recited much slower and more clearly than are the programmes on actual German shows and TV. In addition, Der Spiegel Online is extremely useful. Preparation for the Testdaf was interesting and fun.

To prepare for the writing section, I wrote an essay every day. The thing about the Testdaf is that the section on writing can be simply prepared for if you know how to. There will always be a form of graph or diagrammatic explanation, and so you will need to prepare for that. There will always be some argumentative essay or topic to write on, and so you should prepare for that, but this time, instead of writing in your first language, try writing it all out in German. The planning, the preparation for the essay, and the thinking and linking processes are all the same, whether it is English or French or Spanish, but this time you remember to express yourself in German. One good thing about the Testdaf is that it does not test you for your German grammar per se, but tests your fluency and command. Hence, not knowing the articles of some nouns won't be as detrimental here as opposed to many other European administered examinations.

To prepare for the oral section, there are only two ways to do so, in my opinion. I recited many texts aloud. And I also spoke German as often and as many times as I could. That was how I did it and how I prepared myself for the Testdaf.

A System or Suggestions on Preparing for the Testdaf:

1. You could do what I did, and that might work for you, as it did for me. I did a sectional and very thorough preparation for the Testdaf and that might do wonders for you too.

2. You could implement the strategies and systems outlined in my How to Learn German Fast system and programme for learning languages in general, and German in particular.

3. Do an online course that specialises in preparing you for the Testdaf. Many are paid courses that require you to pay a fee and some are free, but those are rarer. I'd say you should have a good look around and evaluate a few sites and a few courses - do your own personal research before committing to any online courses or programmes.

4. If you have time, a long term approach is best: read more, listen to more German, speak more German and find more chances to express yourself verbally and orally, surf and check out the Internet slowly and surely day by day. Languages are not acquired in a week, despite what some people say, like "you can learn a language in a few days etc".

5. If you have not much time, and the Testdaf will be soon upon you, the best way to learn and prepare for the Testdaf is to memorise all the key expressions that you will use for your writing and speaking sections. That way you will ensure that you can pass two sections well. "This graph shows", "This suggests", "increasing and decreasing trends" and the like are all the phrases you need to memorise and commit to your memory if you wish to ace the Testdaf. Memorise anything and everything you need for the writing and speaking sections of the Testdaf and dump those words and key phrases every time and every chance you get to do so. This is a common examination technique employed not just by desparate Testdaf students but by language students and other exam takers all over the world.

6. Listen to the German news often - Der Spiegel is not the only source. Try Deutsche Welle, the Austrian and Swiss News Services, try any podcasts that you can lay your hands on. This will help you in your listening... partly. For the other part, the writing down part, be sure that you can write down things as fast as you can catch them, as you hear them.

7. Get German tuition or some assistance for the Testdaf from your university teacher, professor, friends, German friends, or coursemates. It's better to work and prepare in a team rather than suffer alone in silence, perhaps.

All in all, good luck for your Testdaf if you intend to pursue it. You can read about examination techniques in general in this post, How to Learn German Fast Part 9, where you can also read about where to go once you have mastered my system for learning German.

HOW TO LEARN GERMAN FAST!

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How to learn German fast part 8

How to learn German fast part 8

Prepare for the examination if you are taking one - part one: choosing an examination to take, or, what are the German examination options available?

There are many German examinations if you intend to take one, and there are many good reasons for you to consider doing any one of the German examinations actually. First, it will be a good guage of your ability; you may wish to work and live in Germany, and then again the most common reason is that you might want to study at a German university or a German institution, whatever the case may be. Nonetheless, the very first step that you should have done already, if you've read my blog up to this point, is that you will have decided what you wanted and what you intend to pursue, especially with regards to time, standards and which German examination you wish to complete.

The really important and necessary German examinations that you need to be aware of are listed below:

Zertifikat Deutsch (ZD)

TestDaF

TELC

and for business German examinations here are the really important and necessary ones that you need to be aware of:

Zertificat Deutsch fuer den Beruf (ZDfB)

Pruefung Wirtschaftsdeutsch (PWD)

I will be ignoring the rest of the German examinations because they are not important for the case of this blog and my course on how to learn German fast, but they are all freely available on the Internet, so do look around. Remember to always look around for more information and be sure that you know what you are doing, and so on.

I myself did the Testdaf, which is spelt TestDaF but I am too lazy to do so, and this is one of the better tests and I would recommend it. It is basically a German language examination that grades you based on oral skills, listening skills, writing skills, reading and comprehension skills in four different components. You can see my German testdaf result in an earlier post.

Here in this post I will be looking at the various language examination possibilities and what you can do and what you can take, and the choice and ideas are all up to you. Here goes the evaluation:

The Zertifikat Deutsch is rather good as a German examination, and consists of one written expression section, one reading comprehension section, one listening comprehension section, structures and vocabulary sections and a oral examination. It can be used to apply for German citizenship indirectly and hence is rather useful, because it is accepted as proof of German language ability when applying for citizenship. It is good for everday situations and is one of the more common German language tests. I would suggest it as one of your key choices, as many other German teachers would do also.

The testdaf is a very good German examination and lasts for hours with many sections, testing verbal oral skills, hearing and listening skills, writing skills and reading and comprehension skills. It is one of the best German examinations to take and I strongly recommend it. It is a standardised test and is implemented worldwide and is very stable, and provides highly academic testing that ensures quality. It lasts for life and can be used to apply to any German university.

The TELC is also like the testdaf and based on the Common European Framework of Reference for languages by the Council of Europe. I would say that this one would be something to consider if you don't intend to take the Zertifikat or the Testdaf, although it is my own personal preference to choose the Testdaf. Note that the TELC is more general because it offers all sorts of languages for the German language test, meaning that you can do this if you're from Portugal, France, and so on. I will honestly say that I don't see any difference between this and the Testdaf, except that this TELC intends to make different language examinations to teach and examine German, whereas the Testdaf seems to me to be entirely German, and German only. You can make your own mind up once you have done the research into the reach of the particular examination.

Don't take my word on any of the German examinations, but also do some research into them and look around, in terms of German examinations and German online courses that help you to prepare for them, because these here on the various exam options are only my own opinions. I had already intended to take the Testdaf last time when I was doing it, and in any case, my system is to teach you how to learn a language fast and efficiently, in particular, how to learn German fast, and I am not an expert in German examinations, but only contributing some ideas that might help you in your research. So please stand warned. It's sometimes as important to know what information is useful and what is not as useful, what is positive and factual, and what is normative and opiniated, and what test to take is definitely not my field, but your own personal choice.

That said...

For the business German examinations I am unable to provide much knowledge in the way of writing about them, but they are similar to the testdaf and only focused on business situations and commerce fields. There are structures and grammar sections as well, but not as much as in other German examinations and for obvious reasons. I hardly need to say that if you're considering doing business in Germany or learning professional business German, the two German examinations of ZDfB and PWD will prove invaluable to you - just choose one good one.

Having chosen an examination, there will be examination tips on how to study for German exams in the next post. Stay tuned!

PS ADDITIONAL NOTE: Some people have written to me to ask about O and A level German (GCE, UCLES, Singapore/Cambridge A levels, H2 German). The advice I give can also be applied to other examinations so do take what you can and apply those accordingly :)

HOW TO LEARN GERMAN FAST

Learn how to learn a language!

My personal experiences in learning German

My personal experiences in learning German (personal sharing and stories)

I know that usually some success stories will encourage us; when we hear that others have learnt a language successfully, it will usually inspire us to try to learn that language successfully as well. "If he/she can do it, so can I".

My personal story: I learnt German when I was in Secondary School, that is, from 12- 16 years old. My mother picked the subject for me and I had little choice. She chose it for me, and that was that - not Japanese, not French, but German. I did the "O" level German examination and got A1 for it, that is the top score. I had to study pretty hard for it and that was over 4 years. It was quite fun and interesting, I have to admit. 

Then after that major examination, I didn't study German for the next 2 years when I went to Junior College.

I didn't study German after leaving Junior College either, when I went to the Army to serve my country for 2.5 years. Without studying German for almost 5 years, one would probably forget everything right? Not really. That's because I made sure to keep up with my German and practise at every chance I could get. I got my hands on books and CDs, and learnt German once again. 

I went on to do a one year course in German at university and passed my Testdaf on the first try.

I'll try to post my credentials up on this blog one day, but since I am unable to do so at the moment, here's my examination results email.

Lieber *****,

wir können Ihnen jetzt die Resultate der TestDaF-Prüfung mitteilen: 

Leseverstehen: 5

Hörverstehen: 4

schriftlicher Ausdruck: 4

mündlicher Ausdruck: 5

Die Zeugnisse werden am 29.5. verschickt, d.h. dass Sie Ihr Zeugnis ab Mitte Juni bei uns abholen können. Bitte kontaktieren Sie vorher Jelene Wong: 6735 4555.

Mit besten Grüßen

Andrea Schäfer

Goethe-Institut Singapore

Leiterin der Sprachabteilung /Head of Language Department

163 Penang Road #05-01

Winsland House II

Singapore 238463

Tel. 6735 4555

Fax. 6735 4666

www.goethe.de/singapur

It was a very happy, nice, and pleasant surprise! I was one of the top students in the university for this and it was a really great feeling. :) :)

I will tell you all the tips and tricks to making your German learning fast, efficient and enjoyable. Stick with me here on my blog :)

Thanks for reading and cheers! Danke schoen.

How to learn German Fast!