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 Writing Section
The writing task in the Goethe and TELC A1 exams proves you can communicate in everyday German. You'll complete a short functional task and compose a mini letter or email. With a clear structure, simple vocabulary, and the right greetings and endings, you can earn easy points and finish confidently.
2 focused tasks
Complete a form or note and write a short message (around 40–50 words).
25–30 minutes total
Goethe A1: 20 minutes · TELC A1: 30 minutes for writing tasks.
Simple German works
Clear sentences, correct word order, and polite tone win more points than fancy words.
How the Writing Section Is Structured
Task 1 · Forms or Short Notes (5–10 minutes)
- Fill in personal information (name, address, phone) or write a short message.
- Focus on spelling and capital letters for nouns.
- Answer exactly what the prompt asks—no extra sentences needed.
Sample form entry
Name: Priya Sharma
Geburtsdatum: 12.03.1996
Adresse: Hauptstraße 12, 70173 Stuttgart
Telefon: 0151 23456789
Task 2 · Short Text or Letter (15–20 minutes)
- Write 4–6 sentences (about 40–60 words) answering every bullet in the prompt.
- Use present tense, simple past (Perfekt), and future (using werden) sparingly if requested.
- Structure your answer with greeting, body (3–4 points), and a polite closing.
Quick outline
- Greeting (formal or informal)
- Purpose sentence
- Answer each bullet (1 sentence each)
- Friendly farewell + signature
Proven Strategies for High Scores
Smart planning
- Underline key instructions: name, date, place, invitation, response, etc.
- Decide on formal vs informal tone before you start writing.
- Draft sentence starters in the margin, then copy neatly to the answer sheet.
Language essentials
- Keep verbs in second position: Ich komme morgen.
- Use capital letters for nouns: die Party, die Einladung.
- Connect ideas with simple words: und, aber, denn, oder, deshalb, weil.
- Include at least one question in informal letters to keep the conversation natural.
Choosing the Right Tone: Informal vs Formal
Informal Letters
Used for friends, family, classmates, or roommates.
Openings
- Hallo [Name],
- Liebe [Name],
- Lieber [Name],
Closings
- Liebe Grüße,
- Bis bald!
- Viele Grüße,
Sample sentence starters
Ich hoffe, es geht dir gut.
Danke für deine Nachricht.
Kommst du morgen zur Party?
Formal Letters
Use for offices, schools, landlords, course coordinators, or unknown recipients.
Openings
- Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
- Sehr geehrter Herr [Name],
- Sehr geehrte Frau [Name],
Closings
- Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
- Hochachtungsvoll,
- Vielen Dank und freundliche Grüße,
Sample sentence starters
Ich schreibe Ihnen, weil...
Ich möchte mich nach dem Deutschkurs erkundigen.
Vielen Dank für Ihre Hilfe.
Model Responses You Can Adapt
Informal email: Invite a friend
Hallo Laura,
ich hatte am Samstag Geburtstag und mache eine kleine Feier zu Hause.
Die Party beginnt um 18 Uhr, und es gibt leckeres Essen. Bringst du bitte einen Salat mit?
Kannst du mir bis Freitag schreiben, ob du kommst?
Liebe Grüße
Max
Formal email: Ask for course details
Sehr geehrte Frau König,
ich interessiere mich für Ihren Deutschkurs A1 am Abend. Können Sie mir bitte Informationen zu den Terminen und den Kosten schicken?
Ich arbeite montags bis donnerstags. Gibt es einen Kurs am Wochenende?
Vielen Dank im Voraus für Ihre Antwort.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Priya Sharma
Common Mistakes and Quick Fixes
Watch out for
- Skipping one of the bullet points in the task.
- Mixing informal sentences with formal greetings.
- Forgetting capital letters for nouns.
- Verb in the wrong position: *Ich morgen komme* ❌
Quick fixes
- Tick off each bullet after you write the sentence.
- Keep a list of polite phrases and learn the correct endings (du vs Sie).
- Read your text aloud quietly. If it sounds natural, it probably is.
- Check verbs last: subject + conjugated verb + rest.
Exam-Day Writing Checklist
- Read the full task twice and underline key words.
- Spend one minute planning your 3–4 body sentences.
- Use connectors to join ideas but keep each sentence under 12 words.
- Include one nice detail (time, place, reason) to sound natural.
- Always finish with a closing phrase and your name.
- Reserve 2 minutes to proofread spelling, verbs, and punctuation.
Boost Your Score with Focused Writing Practice
Apply these tips with our interactive Goethe & TELC A1 writing prompts. Get instant feedback on greetings, grammar, and tone so you know you're on track for test day.
Quick Answers to Popular Questions
How many sentences should I write for the Goethe or TELC A1 letter?
Aim for 4–6 concise sentences. The examiners care more about covering all bullet points than hitting an exact word count.
Can I use English words if I forget the German one?
Avoid them. Instead, rephrase using simpler German you know. Examiners cannot award points for English words.
Do I lose marks for spelling mistakes?
Minor spelling errors are generally acceptable if the meaning stays clear. However, repeated mistakes or consistently missing capital letters for nouns can lower your score.
Is the structure different between Goethe and TELC A1?
Both exams expect the same basics: task-focused answers, polite tone, and clear structure. TELC A1 sometimes gives two short writing prompts instead of one longer letter, but the scoring criteria stay similar.
You're Ready to Impress the Examiner
Consistency beats complexity at the A1 level. Practice writing short, purposeful messages, memorize your greetings and endings, and always double-check the task requirements. With these strategies, you can walk into the Goethe or TELC A1 exam confident that your writing section will deliver the points you need.
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