About This Book

The earliest stage of German learning involves getting used to sounds as well as words on a page. Anneli Billina’s A1 trainer from Hueber’s Deutsch üben series concentrates on that listening-and-speaking foundation. Its dialogues and accompanying MP3-CD allow beginners to hear simple German and practise responding in a supported setting.

A dedicated oral-skills resource can be useful when learners have begun studying basic grammar or vocabulary but still find spoken exchanges unfamiliar. Here, the focus is not on covering every aspect of a German course. It is on developing the habit of listening attentively, recognising language and trying it aloud from the beginning.

What Learners Will Practise

Recognising First Spoken Expressions

At A1, understanding even a short spoken expression can be an important achievement. Listen for familiar sounds and words before worrying about every detail. A brief exchange can be revisited several times, each time with a different goal: identifying the speakers, noticing a useful phrase or understanding the main message.

Taking Part in Simple Dialogues

Simple dialogues offer a manageable way to begin speaking German. After listening, practise a short response and then change one element to make the answer your own. Speaking in small steps reduces the pressure to produce long sentences before the basic expressions feel comfortable.

Repeating German with Audio

The accompanying MP3-CD supports repeated contact with spoken German. Listen to a passage, notice its rhythm and try saying a useful expression aloud. Returning to the same audio after a break can show which phrases have become easier to recognise. Short, regular sessions often work better than one long listening session.

Key Features

This A1 volume focuses on Hörverstehen and Sprechen and uses dialogues with MP3-CD audio. It provides beginner-level listening and speaking practice rather than a full general-language course. A separate B1 volume by Anneli Billina offers a related option for learners at a later stage.

Who This Book Is For

New German learners working at A1, teachers introducing oral-language practice and independent students who need extra confidence with basic spoken German are the intended audience. It can complement introductory lessons by providing another opportunity to hear and use the language.

How to Use This Book

Start with a short passage and listen without stopping. Identify one expression you recognise, then listen again and repeat it aloud. Practise a simple response, changing the wording where possible. Keep a small list of useful spoken phrases and return to them across several sessions.

To make practice useful beyond a single session, choose one difficulty and revisit it later with a different example. Compare what you can understand or say with your first attempt. This helps turn short exercises into more dependable skills and gives the next session a clear purpose.

Keep a short note of the language that caused difficulty, and check it again after other practice. This can reveal progress that is not obvious during the first attempt.

Related Books

For related learning materials, explore Wortschatz Intensivtrainer A1 and Deutsch Intensiv Wortschatz A1 Das Training.