Prep for the B1/DSD I Youth Exam - Fall Semester 2026

Prep for the B1/DSD I Exam

Structurally:

This course is a targeted preparation course for students working toward the Deutsches Sprachdiplom I (DSD I) or the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 exam. It is designed for rising 8th graders and older students who have completed A2-level German and want to build the skills and confidence needed for a B1-level examination. Over the course of the fall, students will work systematically with the different components of the exam, with particular emphasis on written communication, grammar, and vocabulary. While the course is designed to prepare students for these exams, students are not required to take an examination at the end of the course.

Functionally:

Students will work with exam-style tasks and materials to develop strategies for successfully completing B1-level assessments. The course will place particular emphasis on written communication, common grammar challenges, and expanding and applying vocabulary. Students will also practice listening comprehension, reading comprehension, and oral communication through targeted activities, though these skills will receive less class time than writing and language accuracy. Between class sessions, students will complete weekly assignments through Google Classroom to reinforce and extend their learning.

Objectives:

At the end of the course, students will be better prepared to successfully approach the DSD I or Goethe B1 examination. Students will be able to write and communicate at a B1 level, apply key grammatical structures with greater accuracy, understand the main ideas and important details in spoken and written German, and use a broader range of vocabulary. Students will also develop familiarity with common exam formats, task types, and strategies for managing the different sections of the examination.

Course Dates, Location, & Time:

This is an in-person class that meets once a week at the GAI Haus (301 Summit Ave) from September through November, with breaks for MEA, Thanksgiving, and other scheduled school holidays. Between onsite sessions, students will complete and submit weekly homework through Google Classroom.

In the event of severe weather, instructor illness, or another unforeseen circumstance, a class session may occasionally be held online.

Fall 2026 course dates:
September 19 – November 21, 2026

Class dates: September 19, September 26, October 3, October 10, October 24, October 31, November 7, November 14, and November 21.

Anticipated DSD I test date for TCGIS students: March 2027

Course Materials:

Students will use Fit für das DSD I as the primary course textbook.

Textbook: Fit für das DSD I
ISBN: 978-3-19-201860-2
Cost: $40

Additional exam materials, practice activities, and assignments will be provided by the instructor through Google Classroom.

Prerequisites:

Students must have recently completed and passed an A2-level German examination, such as the Goethe A2 or IVA2. Students should also be prepared to dedicate a minimum of one hour per week to homework and independent practice.

Weekly homework assignments are an essential part of the course. Students are expected to complete and submit their work on time through Google Classroom. Repeated failure to submit homework may result in unenrollment from the course; tuition will not be reimbursed.

Tuition:
GAI members: $130
Non-members: $150
Minimum Enrollment:

If there are too few students registered to run the class, the Director of Language Education will contact the student(s) in the week prior to the course start date to discuss other class options.

Questions?

Contact our Language Education Department at [email protected].