B1 certificate is not everything

Many young people think that just achieving the B1 certificate is enough to qualify to go to Germany to study a profession. However, this is a wrong thought, B1 is just the first step on a long and challenging journey. 

B1 Is Not Everything – Many Students' Misperception

Obtaining a B1 certificate does not mean that you are capable of working and integrating in Germany. Many students when coming to Germany have faced countless difficulties because they cannot communicate well, do not understand the profession, or do not meet the job requirements.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huyen - General Director of SHD Corp Joint Stock Company awarded a German vocational study visa to student Nguyen Phong Nha

Nguyen Phong Nha, an SHD student who achieved TELC B1 certificate with honors (265/300), shared: “When I held the B1 certificate in my hand, I felt very happy because my efforts had been duly rewarded. However, I did not want to rest on my laurels and continued to aim for higher goals. For me, learning a foreign language is not just about taking the exam to get a certificate, but more importantly, using it in real life.”

B1 certificate is a ticket for students to come to Germany, but more importantly, you must be able to apply it in daily life and at work. 

> Reference: Is learning German difficult? How long does it take to achieve a certificate B1

If you study only to achieve B1 without really mastering the language, then when you enter the real working environment, you will find yourself lost, unable to keep up with the work progress, unable to understand the instructions of your superiors and have difficulty integrating with colleagues. Students need to change their mindset: don't just aim for a degree, aim for the ability to use the language effectively.

Passing the Interview Is Only Halfway to Vocational Study in Germany

Many students are often subjective after having B1, thinking that they are ready to go to Germany. But in reality, there is another important step that many students have not prepared well for: the interview round with German employers. This is the door that decides whether you will be accepted into the vocational training program or not.

Thach Thi Thanh Thanh, a student who achieved TELC B1 certificate with honors (250.5/300), confided: “The B1 certificate is not just a diploma, but also a testament to determination and perseverance. When I received the results, I felt proud but at the same time understood that this was just the beginning. Learning German and practicing interview skills must continue if I want to be truly successful in Germany.”

Students need to apply German well in interviews and real-life situations.

The interview is not just a casual conversation but a comprehensive test of your German language skills, industry knowledge and willingness to work in Germany. 

Many people fail interviews because they cannot express their thoughts fluently, cannot respond to the employer’s questions, or worse, do not understand the job they are about to do. Others, although able to speak, lack preparation, do not research the company or the working environment in Germany, leading to unconvincing answers.

To pass the interview, students not only need to practice communication skills but also clearly understand the profession they choose, learn in advance about the work process in Germany and practice answering interview questions. 

> Reference: SHD accompanies HWK-Erfurt: Opening the door to a career in the German craft industry for students

No one wants to hire an employee who is unprepared from the start and does not show his seriousness with the chosen job. Therefore, without careful training and preparation, even if you have B1, your chance to go to Germany is still very slim.

Learning German is not just for exams, but to prepare for your career

German is not just a language, but a tool that can help you build a career in Germany. If you only study to get a degree without practicing practical skills, you will be the one who will have the most difficulty when you set foot in Germany.

So what should students do to improve their German language skills?

Practice effective communication

• Join study groups, chat in German with friends, practice speaking in front of the mirror to improve pronunciation and confidence.
• 1:1 practical experience at SHD Education – the language training center of the SHD ecosystem. Students practice listening and speaking directly with native teachers, helping them communicate naturally and respond faster.

Build study habits

• Set small goals: Learn 5-10 new words every day and apply them immediately in life.
• Take advantage of technology: Learn vocabulary through apps, join online classes with native speakers to improve reflexes.
• Practice every day: Listen to podcasts and watch German videos to get used to natural intonation.

Learn German through real-life situations

• Make sentences with newly learned vocabulary, write a short diary entry or describe your daily activities in German.
• Participate in events at SHD Education: Experience German through German cultural festivals and German clubs, helping you learn in a practical and inspiring environment.

Nguyen Phong Nha shared more: “Learning German is not about doing exercises on paper, but about communicating. I always take the initiative to study with my friends, ask questions when I don’t understand, and immediately apply what I have learned. The important thing is not to learn by heart, but to learn according to ideas and real-life contexts so that I can express myself in the most natural way.”

Proficiency in German helps students study and work successfully in Germany.

In the German working environment, being fluent in German is vital for your future. You need to understand your superiors' instructions, communicate effectively with your colleagues and, most importantly, perform your work correctly. 

In addition, after completing the vocational training program, you will have to take a vocational certificate exam in German - if you do not use German well, the possibility of failing the exam is very high, which means you will not be able to continue working in Germany.

Not only at work, the ability to use German also affects daily life. If you cannot communicate, you will have difficulty when shopping, handling paperwork, finding accommodation or even making friends and integrating into the community. Therefore, learning German is not only a task during the time studying in Vietnam, but must be a continuous practice process before and after coming to Germany.

Don't Aim for a Degree, Aim for Effective German Language Skills

The journey of learning a trade in Germany is not for those who are lazy or do not have a clear goal. This is a path only for those who are truly serious, have a strong will, understand the profession they are pursuing and use German fluently.

B1 is not everything, passing the interview is only half the battle. The most important thing is the preparation and determination of each individual. Students need to determine the mindset that: Learning German is not just about passing exams, but about communicating, about working and about succeeding in Germany!