B2 Level German: Language Skills, Benefits, Syllabus, & Tips

Introduction to B2 Level German Proficiency

The B2 level German proficiency signifies that you have reached an intermediate level of the German language. This helps you to engage well with the natives. If you attain this level of proficiency in the German language, you can study, work, and live in a German-speaking nation. Hence, it has its own personal, professional, academic, and practical advantages. The B2 German exam is tougher than the B1 level exam. It requires more advanced German language skills to pass:

1. Holding Conversations: You can engage in profound conversations with native German speakers. Moreover, you can express your thoughts clearly and also engage in debates.
2. Understand Spoken and Written German: You must be able to understand German speakers in everyday dialogues and complex official texts in literature, academics, and business.
3. Creative and Fluent Expression: You can write and speak with a good vocabulary and express your ideas and emotions well to others. Moreover, you can draft official papers and documents like essays, letters, etc.

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Advantages of Reaching B2 Level German Proficiency

There are several benefits of obtaining the B2 level German language skills. As noted before, it helps you gain academic and professional gains. Here are some solid benefits of clearing your B2 German exam:

1. Increased Job Prospects
2. Better Travel Experience
3. Academic and Research Opportunities
4. Social and Cultural Understanding

Now let's understand each of them in detail.

1. Increased Job Prospects

If you are an international employee who can converse well in different languages, you will be valued more. Attaining the B2 level German certification is not only beneficial but also very important to work with the German-speaking population.

2. Better Travel Experiences

Even if you are going to a German-speaking country, knowing the language can be extra beneficial for you. Moreover, you will have better interactions with the locals and you will be able to talk beyond asking the route. For instance, it will be easier for you to understand the signs and boards on the street. 

Also Read: A1 Level German    

3. Academic and Research Opportunities

For a student who is looking forward to pursue a research-based course or any other course in a German-speaking nation, B2 level German skills can be a life savior. As it is essential to be able to interact with the native-speaking faculty and people, attaining a B2 level certificate can be greatly beneficial.

4. Social and Cultural Understanding

Lastly, if you are in a German-speaking nation and don’t know the language, you are going to miss out a lot! It is because language is an essential part of a country’s cultural hemisphere. Hence, to avoid that, you can learn the German language and understand the social and cultural fabric of the country.

Also Read: B1 level German

Key Topics Covered in B2 Level German

There are several complex skills assessed at the B2 level of German language. Here is a list of the topics covered in the B2 level German proficiency exam:

1. Imperfect tense: To describe repeated events in formal or written German.
2. Perfect tense: To describe the events that occurred in the recent past.
3. Nominative: One of the four cases in German. It represents the subject of the sentence.
4. Genitive: This is used to denote belonging or possession in the sentence.
5. Dative: This case is used to indicate the direct and indirect object of a sentence.
6. Accusative: This case is used to denote the direct object of the sentence. The person or thing directly gets affected by the subject’s action.
7. Adjective declension: When you change the ending of an adjective to match with a noun in terms of gender, number, and case.
8. Subordinate Clauses: In these types of clauses, the verb is at the end of the sentence.
9. Direct and indirect Subordinate Clauses: A clause that is never a complete sentence. It always depends on the main clause.
10. Basic command of the German grammar essentials
11. All tense forms
12. Present and Imperfect Subjunctive
13. Sentence structure: SUBJECT + VERB + MORE NOUNS + MORE VERBS.

This was all about the key topics covered in the B2 level German. To prepare well for the exam, refer to the section below.

Also Read: Days of the Week in German

How to Prepare for B2 Level German?

To prepare for B2 level German, you must use a systematic approach. It requires around 8 weeks (20 lessons a week) to attain this level of German proficiency. However, if you want to attain it sooner, you have to dedicate 6 intense weeks of learning advanced-level German language (30 lessons a week).

You can follow the steps below to learn how to prepare for B2 level German:

1. Firstly, assess yourself and know your current level of proficiency in the German language.
2. To judge your reading, you can read articles and magazines. For listening, you can switch to audio, podcasts, and even songs.
3. Furthermore, engage in speaking the German language on all occasions.
4. To improve your German writing skills, you must start by writing letters and essays. Moreover, short paragraphs will also work.
5. Enroll in German online coaching and study from an expert. This will not only provide you with assistance but also a guided study plan.

You can prepare for your B2 level German exam this way. However, are you aware of the syllabus you have to study? if not then the next section will help you with the same.

Also Read: How to Say Please in German?

German B2 Syllabus Breakdown

If you are wondering what the B2 German syllabus will look like, here is a list of the segments you will be covering to attain the B2 level certificate in the German language:

1. Advanced Grammar Concepts

This will include the passive and active voice of sentences and your understanding of them. Moreover, you will have to learn all the tenses and sentence formation using all of them. Furthermore, you can move on to learning the verbs, their forms, and their use in different types of sentences. Here is a breakdown of the basic grammar concepts in German:

a) Subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II): You must know how to make polite requests and express wishes.

Example: Wenn ich mehr Geld hätte, würde ich spenden (If I had more money, I would donate.)

b) Passive Voice (Passive): You must know the difference between passive and active voice sentences.Example: Ich habe das Buch geschrieben ( I wrote the book)Das Buch wurde von mir geschrieben ( The book was written by me)

c) Relative Clauses (Relativsätze): You should use these pronouns to enhance the complexity of your sentence such as der, die, das, dessen, deren.

Example: Das ist der Hund, der meine Hausaufgaben gefressen hat. (This is the Dog that ate my homework)

d) Reported Speech (indirekte Rede): You must know how to use indirect speech structures to report former conversations.

Example: Sie sagte, er würde morgen kommen. (She said he would come tomorrow)

e) Complex Sentence Structures: You must use conjunctions to connect ideas well and form meaningful sentences.

Example: obwohl (although), sodass (so that), während (while), and sofern (provided) to connect ideas effectively.

Also Read: Basic German Words

2. Expanding Vocabulary

For this, you will have to read more and understand the difference between the set of words you can use in professional and social settings. You will reach German B2 level vocabulary after learning words for different discussions. Here is a list of domains whose vocabulary is essential to understand:

a) Professional Vocabulary: You must be aware of the terminology used at workplaces, industries, and formal work-related interactions.

Example: die Stellenanzeige (job advertisement), das Vorstellungsgespräch (job interview).

b) Cultural and Social Topics: These are words related to specific festivals, social events, and cultural events.

Example: der Ohrwurm (Literally: the earworm, meaning: the catchy tune)

c) Academic and Technical Terms: You must be aware of the terms used for studies or specialized fields.

Example: die Forschung (research), die Hypothese (hypothesis).

d) Idiomatic Expressions: Proverbs, idioms, and common phrases that can help you sound closer to what native sounds like for more natural conversations.

Example: Es ist nicht mein Bier (It’s not my problem).

3. Speaking Skills

To attain the B2 level speaking skills in the German language, you will have to engage in discussions and debates. Moreover, your speaking ability should be enhanced with fluent and expressive speech. Additionally, you will have to learn to build complete, meaningful, and persuasive arguments. Read the list of speaking skills you must have as a B2 level German learner:

a) Engaging in Discussions: You must be able to express the events and describe social issues in German.

Example: Sollte Homeoffice allen angeboten werden? (Should home office be offered to everyone?)

b) Presentations: You must be able to deliver short speeches well.

c) Debates and Arguments: Building persuasive and convincing arguments in a debate or a discussion.

4. Listening Comprehension

For B2 level German, it is important for a person to be able to understand spoken German. For this, here are some of the essentials that you must know as a B2 level German learner:

a) News Reports and Podcasts: The details like facts and current affairs.

b) Conversations and Dialogues: The conversations and dialogues between two natives, as available on the internet.

c) Academic Lecture: Specific terms and arguments with reasoning in German is also something you must know.

d) Interviews and Podcasts: An insightful conversation between two people with some relevant jargon is essential for a B2 level learner to understand.

e) Movies and Shows: German movies and shows that are fluent in German are a must as that is how natives speak.

5. Reading Comprehension

For B2 level reading in German, a learner must be able to understand written news articles and newspaper. Moreover, you must also be able to read literary texts, emails, and other professional documents. Reading these from now only can accelerate your learning journey. Here is a list of things you must understand for the reading segment of the German language:

a) Newspaper Articles: It is crucial to be able to get the gist of politics, culture, and economics.

b) Literary Texts: You must be good at understanding the gist of short stories, or poems for deeper understanding.

c) Professional Documents: You can read and understand Reading reports, emails, and other official papers relevant to professional contexts.

6. Writing Proficiency

Lastly, as a B2 level German learner, you must know how to write in German. You must know how to write the following if you are B2 level German learner:

a) Formal Letter: Drafting formal and official letters to authorities.

b) Essays: Writing argumentative or discursive on complex topics.

c) Summaries and Reports: Reading and understanding the information and re-writing it into smaller formats.

Also Read: How to tell Time in German?

German Exam Fees for B2 Level

If you wish to work or study in a German-speaking nation, you must demonstrate your language skills officially. To prove your German language level proficiency, you have to take a certification exam. These are various B2 certificate German and their exam fee:

These are 5 German language certifications that you can take to prove your German language skills. The above table also mentions B2 German fees along with the name of the exam. To clear them in one go, refer to the tips below!

Also Read: How to Say Hello in German?

Essential Tips to Success in B2 Level Exam for German Proficiency

To get success in your B2 level German certification, you can follow the tips below:

1. Practice everyday: Engage in reading, writing, listening, and speaking German whenever you can!
2. Talk to native users: You can interact with native German users and learn their flow and vocabulary.
3. Use appropriate resources: Do not rely on random websites for learning German.
4. Don’t engage in unplanned studies: Your timetable must be directed and guided in order to gain the best outcomes.
5. Seek true feedback: Consult an expert for an honest review of your performance and growth in regular intervals.

Conclusion

To sum up, B2 level German is not easy to attain. However, it is essential if you wish to study, work, or live in a German-speaking nation. For learning B2 level German, you can get online coaching for German. Moreover, you can also prepare at home by yourself by setting an efficient weekly plan and following the expert tips given above. Happy learning!

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1. How Fluent is B2 in German?

The B2 level in German by the CEFR denotes that you are an independent user of the language. This will enable you to converse with the natives and understand them as well.

Q2. How Long Will It Take to Learn B2 Level German?

With learning sessions of 20 lessons per week, it will take you 8 weeks to get to level B2 in German language proficiency. With a more intense learning time with 30 lessons per week, you can attain level B2 in 6 weeks.

Q3. Is B2 German Enough to Get a Job?

Yes, you can work in Germany with B1 or B2 level proficiency in the language. This level is not only recognized by the companies but also by universities in German-speaking countries.

Q4. Is German B2 Level Proficiency Enough to Live in Germany?

Yes, usually this level of German proficiency is enough for living in a German-speaking nation. Moreover, this level is also accepted by employers and universities there.

Q5. What are CEFR Language Proficiency Levels?

Acc. To CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) there are 6 levels of German language proficiency i.e. A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2. The A1 level German is for basic users and the C2 is for proficient (near to native) users.