Mastering the Goethe/TELC A1 Hören (Listening) Section: Your Complete Guide
Learn to ace the A1 listening section with strategies for short dialogues, public announcements, and voicemail messages. Includes practice examples, common traps to avoid, and time management tips.
Mastering the Goethe & TELC A1 Listening Section
The Hören (Listening) section tests your ability to understand everyday German in real-life situations—short conversations, public announcements, and voicemail messages. With about 20 minutes to answer 15 questions across three parts, success comes from knowing what to listen for and staying calm when the audio plays. This guide breaks down each task type with real examples and proven strategies.
~20 minutes total
Teil 1 & 3: twice · Teil 2: once.
15 questions
Teil 1: 6, Teil 2: 4, Teil 3: 5 questions.
Multiple formats
Multiple choice + Richtig/Falsch.
Structure at a Glance
Teil 1 · Short Dialogues
- 6 short conversations
- Multiple choice (3 options)
- Audio plays TWICE
- ~7 minutes
Teil 2 · Public Announcements
- 4 announcements
- Richtig/Falsch format
- ⚠️ Audio plays ONCE only!
- ~6 minutes
Teil 3 · Voicemail Messages
- 5 phone messages
- Multiple choice (3 options)
- Audio plays TWICE
- ~7 minutes
Teil 1: Understanding Short Dialogues
In Teil 1, you hear 6 short conversations between two people. Each dialogue is followed by a question with three answer options. You need to select the correct answer based on what you heard. Topics include shopping, asking for directions, ordering food, and everyday situations.
Key Strategy
- Read the question and options first — know what information you need
- Listen for keywords that match the answer options
- Watch for distractors — wrong options are often mentioned but not the answer
- Use the second listen to confirm your choice
Practice Examples
Context:
Sie hören ein Gespräch im Geschäft über einen Pullover.
Question:
Was kostet der Pullover?
Why? Die Verkäuferin sagt: "neunzehnfünfundneunzig" und bestätigt "19,95 Euro". Listen for the exact price mentioned.
Context:
Sie hören ein Gespräch über die Uhrzeit.
Question:
Wie spät ist es?
Why? Die Passantin antwortet: "Ja – jetzt ist es gleich 5 Uhr." "Gleich" means "almost" or "nearly".
Teil 2: Understanding Public Announcements
Teil 2 presents 4 public announcements you might hear in real life—at train stations, airports, shopping centers, or on public transport. For each announcement, you must decide if a statement is Richtig (True) or Falsch (False).
Quick Tips for Teil 2
- Read the statement carefully: Know exactly what claim you need to verify
- Listen for specific details: Gate numbers, times, floor numbers, instructions
- Watch for negations: "nicht", "kein", "nur" can flip the meaning
- Don't assume: Only mark Richtig if the audio explicitly confirms the statement
Practice Examples
Die Fahrgäste sollen im Zug bleiben.
RichtigDie Durchsage sagt: "Bitte steigen Sie nicht aus; wir fahren gleich weiter." The passengers should stay on the train.
Fluggäste nach Rom sollen zu Ausgang A7 kommen.
FalschDie Ansage nennt Ausgang B 18, nicht A7. Always listen carefully for specific gate numbers and locations.
Die Urlauber sollen um vier Uhr am Bus sein.
FalschDie Ansage nennt 14 Uhr (zwei Uhr nachmittags), nicht vier Uhr. Watch out for 24-hour vs 12-hour time confusion.
Common Announcement Locations
Teil 3: Understanding Voicemail Messages
Teil 3 tests your ability to understand 5 voicemail or answering machine messages. Each message is followed by a question with three answer options. Messages typically involve appointments, meeting arrangements, requests, or information about plans.
Common Message Types
Practice Examples
Message:
Sie hören eine Nachricht vom Autohaus Mayer.
Question:
Wann soll Frau Krause anrufen?
Why? Das Autohaus sagt: "Bitte rufen Sie uns nach 13 Uhr wieder zurück. Heute sind wir bis 18 Uhr hier."
Message:
Sie hören eine Nachricht von Nina an Irene.
Question:
Was möchte Nina heute Abend machen?
Why? Nina sagt: "Ich möchte heute Abend nicht zu Hause bleiben. Im Metropolis gibt es einen guten Film."
Common Traps to Avoid
Number confusion
"dreizehn" (13) vs "dreißig" (30)
Tip: German numbers ending in "-zehn" are teens (13-19), while "-zig" are tens (20-90).
Time expressions
"halb drei" = 2:30, not 3:30
Tip: German "halb" means half TO the next hour. "Halb drei" is 2:30.
Negation words
"nicht", "kein", "nur", "außer"
Tip: These words flip the meaning. A "nicht" can change a Richtig to Falsch!
Similar-sounding words
"Zug" (train) vs "Flug" (flight)
Tip: Context matters! Listen for surrounding words to confirm what you heard.
German Numbers: A Quick Reference
Numbers are crucial in the listening section. Here's a quick guide to avoid confusion:
Teens vs Tens
Two-Digit Numbers
German says the ones digit first:
Pro tip: When you hear a price like "neunzehnfünfundneunzig", it means 19.95€. The first number is euros, the second is cents!
Essential Vocabulary for Hören
Numbers & Prices
- dreißig (30)
- fünfzig (50)
- neunzig (90)
- hundert (100)
- Euro / Cent
- kostet / macht (costs)
Time Expressions
- halb (half to the hour)
- Viertel vor/nach (quarter to/past)
- gleich (almost/soon)
- um ... Uhr (at ... o'clock)
- morgen/heute/gestern
- am Montag/Dienstag...
Location & Direction
- Bahnhof (train station)
- Flughafen (airport)
- Ausgang (exit/gate)
- Stock/Etage (floor)
- links/rechts (left/right)
- geradeaus (straight ahead)
Expert Listening Strategies
Before the Audio
- Read all questions and options before the audio starts
- Underline key words in the questions (numbers, times, places)
- Predict what type of information you need to listen for
- Note if it's Richtig/Falsch or multiple choice
During the Audio
- Focus on the specific information asked in the question
- Don't panic if you miss something—Teil 1 & 3 play twice (Teil 2 only once!)
- Write down numbers and times immediately when you hear them
- Listen for negation words that change the meaning
After First Listen
- Mark answers you're confident about
- For Teil 1 & 3: note questions to focus on in second listen
- For Teil 2: trust your answer (no second chance!)
- Don't change answers unless you're certain
Time Management Strategy
~7 min
Teil 1: Short Dialogues
6 questions, multiple choice
~6 min
Teil 2: Announcements
4 questions, Richtig/Falsch
~7 min
Teil 3: Voicemails
5 questions, multiple choice
Pro tip: Teil 1 and Teil 3 audio plays twice—use the first listen to get the general idea and the second to confirm. However, Teil 2 (announcements) plays only ONCE, so focus extra hard on that section! Never leave any answer blank.
Exam-Day Checklist
- Read all questions and options BEFORE the audio starts
- Underline key words in questions (numbers, times, places, names)
- Listen for the specific information asked—don't get distracted
- Write down numbers and times immediately when you hear them
- Watch for negation words: nicht, kein, nur, außer
- For Teil 1 & 3, use the second listen to confirm (Teil 2 plays only once!)
- Answer every question, even if unsure—never leave blanks
- Trust your first instinct unless you're certain it's wrong
Goethe vs TELC: Key Differences
| Aspect | Goethe A1 | TELC A1 |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | ~20 minutes | ~20 minutes |
| Number of parts | 3 parts | 3 parts |
| Audio plays | Teil 1 & 3: twice · Teil 2: once | Teil 1 & 3: twice · Teil 2: once |
| Question format | Multiple choice + Richtig/Falsch | Multiple choice + Richtig/Falsch |
| Speaking speed | Natural, clear | Natural, clear |
| Passing score | 60% overall | 60% overall |
Both exams test the same listening skills at A1 level. The format and difficulty are very similar. Practice with both to be fully prepared!
How to Practice Effectively
Daily Practice Routine
- Listen to German podcasts for beginners (10-15 min/day)
- Practice with sample exam audio (available on Goethe Institut website)
- Watch German videos with subtitles, then without
- Practice number dictation—have someone read numbers aloud
Recommended Resources
- Goethe Institut official practice materials
- Deutsche Welle "Langsam gesprochene Nachrichten"
- Easy German YouTube channel
- Our practice questions with audio explanations
Ready to Practice Your Listening Skills?
Put these strategies into action with our comprehensive practice questions. Each question includes audio and detailed explanations to help you understand the reasoning behind correct answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times does the audio play in the Goethe/TELC A1 listening exam?
It depends on the section! Teil 1 (short dialogues) and Teil 3 (voicemails) play TWICE, giving you two chances to catch the answer. However, Teil 2 (public announcements) plays only ONCE—so pay extra attention during that section!
What should I do if I miss something in the audio?
For Teil 1 and Teil 3, don't panic—the audio plays twice! Focus on the missed information during the second listen. For Teil 2 (announcements), which plays only once, make your best guess based on what you did hear. Never leave an answer blank.
How can I improve my German number comprehension?
Practice daily with number dictation exercises. Remember that German says the ones digit first (25 = fünfundzwanzig = "five-and-twenty"). Also practice distinguishing between teens (-zehn) and tens (-zig).
Are the Goethe and TELC A1 listening sections the same?
They're very similar in format and difficulty. Both have three parts testing dialogues, announcements, and voicemails. The skills tested are identical, so practicing for one prepares you for both.
What's the best way to prepare for the listening section?
Combine regular exposure to German audio (podcasts, videos) with targeted exam practice. Focus on understanding numbers, times, and common phrases. Practice with official sample exams from Goethe Institut and TELC.
You're Ready to Ace the Listening Section
The Hören section rewards preparation and calm focus. By understanding the three task types, practicing with real exam-style audio, and mastering German numbers and time expressions, you'll walk into your Goethe or TELC A1 exam confident and ready. Remember: Teil 1 and Teil 3 play twice (use both listens strategically!), but Teil 2 plays only once—so stay focused. Good luck—Viel Erfolg!
Related Articles
Acing the Goethe A1 German Exam: Your Ultimate Guide to Format, Preparation, and Pro Tips
A comprehensive guide to conquering the Goethe A1 exam with detailed breakdowns of each section, proven study strategies, and insider tips from successful test-takers.
Mastering the Goethe/TELC A1 Schreiben (Writing) Section: Your Complete Guide
Step-by-step strategies, templates, and exam-day checklists to help you write confident formal and informal letters for Goethe and TELC A1.
Mastering the Goethe/TELC A1 Sprechen (Speaking) Section: Your Complete Guide
Learn the three speaking tasks in detail, with sample introductions, card-based dialogues, vocabulary banks, and polite request templates for Goethe & TELC A1.