The Hörverstehen (Listening Comprehension) section of the TELC B1 exam challenges your ability to understand spoken German in various contexts, from public announcements to casual conversations. For many, this is a difficult skill to develop.
The only way to get better at listening is to listen. A lot. The best practice mimics the real exam environment. Test your listening skills with authentic exam audio in our free TELC B1 Mock Exam.
Understanding the Three Parts of Hörverstehen
- Teil 1 (Globales Verstehen): You listen to five short audio clips, usually phone messages or announcements, and decide if a statement about each is
Richtig(Correct) orFalsch(False). You hear each clip once. - Teil 2 (Detailliertes Verstehen): You listen to a longer interview or conversation and answer ten multiple-choice questions. You hear this clip once.
- Teil 3 (Selektives Verstehen): You listen to several short audio clips and must match them to different situations (similar to
LeseverstehenTeil 3). You hear each clip twice.
Tip 1: Use the Prep Time Wisely
Before each part, you have a short time to read the questions. This is the most important phase!
- Read the questions and options: Understand what information you need to listen for.
- Underline keywords: Circle names, places, numbers, and key verbs in the questions.
- Anticipate the topic: The questions give you context. If the questions are about train times and platforms, you can predict the vocabulary you're about to hear.
Tip 2: Listen for Specific Information (Not Everything)
You will not understand every single word, and that's okay. Your goal is to find the specific information needed to answer the questions.
- In Teil 1, listen for the one key piece of information that confirms or denies the statement.
- In Teil 2, focus on the keywords you underlined. When you hear one, listen closely to the surrounding sentences.
- In Teil 3, listen for the core "need" or "situation" being described.
AI-Powered Practice: Sprachflow's
Hörverstehenexercises are designed to mimic the exam. You can practice listening for specific details and get instant feedback, training your ear to pick up what's important. Start your audio training now.
Tip 3: Don't Get Stuck
In Teil 1 and 2, you only hear the audio once. If you miss an answer, make your best guess and move on immediately. If you dwell on a missed question, you'll lose focus and miss the next one too. You can always come back and review your guess at the end if you have time.
Tip 4: Immerse Yourself Outside of Study Time
Make listening to German a part of your daily routine. This will train your ear to the rhythm, intonation, and speed of the language.
| Activity | Recommendation | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Podcasts | "Slow German", "Coffee Break German" | Clear audio, interesting topics |
| Music | Artists like AnnenMayKantereit, Mark Forster | Learn vocabulary and natural phrasing |
| TV/Movies | Watch German shows on Netflix with German subtitles | Connect spoken words with their written form |
| News | Tagesschau in 100 Sekunden | Formal language, clear pronunciation |
Tip 5: Practice with High-Quality, Exam-Style Audio
The most effective practice uses audio that is similar in style, speed, and quality to the actual exam. Random YouTube videos can be helpful for general immersion, but for targeted prep, you need exam-specific material.
Sprachflow uses professionally recorded audio designed to match the TELC B1 standards, including background noises you might hear in the real test, ensuring you're prepared for the authentic exam experience.
Improving your listening skills takes time and consistent effort. By applying these active listening strategies and practicing with realistic, high-quality audio, you can turn the Hörverstehen section from a source of anxiety into a chance to score high.
Ready to put your ears to the test? Experience the Hörverstehen section in a free, full TELC B1 mock exam on Sprachflow.