German course from scratch (A1) in Germany: how to start without speaking the language
Arriving in Germany without understanding a single word of German is more common than it seems. Many international students set off with zero knowledge of the language, enrol in A1-level intensive courses and build their German from scratch inside the country. This route works, and the German education system is built exactly for that.
The practical question is not "can I go without knowing German?" but "how do I structure the first months so that progress is real?" The answers depend on three variables: choice of school, weekly study hours and document registration, which starts as soon as you land.
A1 level: what it means and what to expect in the first weeks
A1 is the most basic level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). At this stage, students learn to introduce themselves and handle basic situations: ordering at a café, shopping at a supermarket, understanding signs.
In intensive courses at a partner school, the typical progression in the first weeks follows this pace:
- Weeks 1 to 2: alphabet, pronunciation, greetings and immediate functional phrases
- Weeks 3 to 4: present tense conjugation, numbers, times and days of the week
- Weeks 5 to 8: basic sentence structure, modal verbs, shopping and getting around
- From week 9 onwards: simple work situations, thematic vocabulary by area
Courses with a load of 20 to 25 hours per week allow students to complete A1 in approximately 4 to 6 weeks. Absolute beginner groups are common at Be Easy partner schools in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Frankfurt.
The minimum level of German required to study in Germany varies according to your goal: those who want to learn the language start at A1; those who plan to enter a public university need to reach B2 or C1.
Can I really go without knowing anything about the language?
Yes. Language schools structured for international exchange students accept pupils with no prior knowledge of German. Placement happens on the first day, with an oral and written test that determines the right class for each student.
What you will need before departing is not German, but document organisation:
- Valid passport
- Proof of enrolment at the school (issued by the school after registration)
- Blocked account (Sperrkonto), required for the residence permit as a language student
- Health insurance with coverage in Germany
German for beginners has grammatical gender, cases and a different word order to English, but daily immersion makes up for it: hearing and using the language every day accelerates absorption significantly.
About the blocked account (Sperrkonto):
- Formal requirement from the German government for the residence permit as a language student
- You deposit the full amount before travelling and withdraw it month by month during your stay
- For language courses, the amount is EUR 1,091 per month, according to the Ausländerbehörde regulations
Be Easy's study and work in Germany programme, supported by a dedicated senior consultant, covers the complete mapping from school selection to arrival.
Which school to choose when starting from scratch
Three partner schools stand out for those starting from zero:
- GLS Berlin (Berlin): combines intensive courses with cultural activities and groups with students from dozens of countries, a multicultural environment from day one
- DID Deutsch-Institut (multiple cities): structured progression between levels, suitable for those who want to advance from A1 to B2 without changing schools
- Colón Language Center (Hamburg): reference in teaching Hochdeutsch, standard German, which facilitates communication in the job market across all regions of the country
The classroom environment at GLS Berlin:
Three city profiles to consider alongside the school:
- Berlin: more affordable cost of living, greater diversity of jobs and multicultural networking
- Munich: hub of the automotive and engineering industry
- Frankfurt: financial centre, with strong demand in finance and technology
The real A1 to B2 journey: how many months
The path from zero to B2 in German takes approximately 10 to 14 months at an intensive pace. With 20 hours of in-person classes per week, the progression blocks are:
- A1 to A2: 2 to 3 months
- A2 to B1: another 2 to 3 months
- B1 to B2: another 3 to 4 months
B2 is the level required by most job vacancies in Germany. Those who want to pursue a master's degree in Germany at a public university need the TestDaF or DSH, exams assessed from B2 level.
Throughout the study period, German law allows working up to 20 hours per week. With a minimum wage of EUR 13.90 per hour in 2026, according to the Mindestlohngesetz, those who work the permitted 20 hours generate income that covers a significant part of monthly costs.
How the process works for studying German from scratch
The process for studying German in Germany follows a specific sequence that Be Easy guides at every stage:
- Profile analysis with a senior consultant: defines city, school, weekly hours and duration
- Enrolment at the partner school: the school issues the documentation needed for the next steps
- Opening the blocked account (Sperrkonto) with the amount corresponding to the course period
- Taking out health insurance with coverage valid in Germany
- Arrival and presentation to the local Ausländerbehörde for the residence permit
The deadline to organise documentation and the blocked account is 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Those who want to start in March should begin planning in January. Delaying that process is the most common mistake for first-timers: without an open Sperrkonto, enrolment cannot proceed.
Two common scenarios on arrival:
- Starting from absolute zero: the school's own placement test determines the class on the first day, with no prior preparation needed
- Already having a base in German: the TestDaF placement exam allows the level to be defined before choosing a school, avoiding classes that are too basic
The German language exchange in Germany starts with your profile assessed, your school chosen and your documentation in order before arrival.
Frequently asked questions about learning German from scratch in Germany
Is it possible to take a German course in Germany with no knowledge of the language?
Yes, absolutely. Be Easy partner language schools accept students at A1 level, the most basic stage of the CEFR, with no prior knowledge required. The placement test on the first day defines the right class and teaching materials for each student's starting point. There is no need to study German before departing: immersion begins on arrival.
How long does it take to go from A1 to B2 studying in Germany?
With an intensive load of 20 classroom hours per week, the A1 to B2 journey takes between 10 and 14 months. The pace depends on engagement outside the classroom: daily practice in everyday life, reading in German and conversations with native speakers accelerate progress considerably. Those who arrive with some prior foundation (A2 or B1) can compress that time to 6 to 8 months.
Do I need to open the blocked account before travelling?
Yes. The Sperrkonto is a requirement to obtain the residence permit as a language student. It must be opened and the amount deposited before departure, as proof is presented to the Ausländerbehörde on arrival. For language courses, the amount is EUR 1,091 per month of planned stay, according to current regulations.
Can I work while learning German in Germany?
Yes. Language students in Germany can legally work up to 20 hours per week during the course. With a minimum wage of EUR 13.90 per hour in 2026, set by the Mindestlohngesetz, those who work the permitted limit generate income covering part of monthly costs. This advantage sets Germany apart from destinations such as Canada, the United Kingdom and the USA, where language visas generally prohibit paid work.
What level of German is needed to work formally in Germany after the course?
B2 is the minimum required by most formal job vacancies in Germany. Some positions in IT and engineering accept B1 candidates on the condition of ongoing language progression. The exchange programme in Germany focused on career development is usually structured as language study followed by a postgraduate course or Ausbildung for those who want formal employment in the country.
Be Easy: boutique exchange consultancy
Be Easy supports international students who want to start German from scratch inside Germany, with the security of a well-structured process. If you are thinking of taking that step, we have the right curation of partner schools, support with the blocked account and full document assistance, with a dedicated senior consultant available at every stage. To understand the options and the path best suited to your profile, get in touch with us.
