Eszett

Learn German · C2

German at C2: Mastery

You understand practically everything you read or hear, summarise information from several spoken and written sources with reasons and explanations, and express yourself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, bringing out finer shades of meaning.

How long: at least 1,000 lessons in total (Goethe-Institut guidance). The course below is 8 weeks at this level; a week is about an hour a day.

The 8 weeks

  1. Week 1: Science in public Wissenschaft in der Öffentlichkeit

    Explain your own research to a journalist, distinguish near-synonyms precisely, and handle critical questions with ease.

    Grammar Paronyms: scheinbar or anscheinend, effektiv or effizient?
    Words and reading medicine and bioethics
    Drills meanings
    Speaking a newspaper interview about your own study

  2. Week 2: Negotiating and contracts Verhandeln und Verträge

    Negotiate a contract clause by clause, use the light-verb constructions of business German naturally, and object in writing to a decision.

    Grammar Light-verb constructions: zur Verfügung stellen, in Betracht ziehen, Abhilfe schaffen
    Words and reading finance and markets
    Drills sentences
    Speaking negotiating a publishing contract for a non-fiction book

  3. Week 3: Authorities and objections Behörden und Einspruch

    Lodge an objection at the tax office, read and write administrative German, and use the elevated prepositions of formal texts.

    Grammar Elevated prepositions: mangels, ungeachtet, zufolge, seitens
    Words and reading economic policy
    Drills articles
    Speaking an objection to a tax assessment at the tax office · asserting a rent reduction for mould against the property management
    Ask the tutor
    • How do I lodge a formal objection (Einspruch or Widerspruch), and which phrases does it need? Wie lege ich formell Einspruch oder Widerspruch ein, und welche Formulierungen gehören dazu?

  4. Week 4: Register and style Register und Stil

    Choose the right register for any situation, from a formal objection to a chat, and recognise and avoid a clash of styles.

    Grammar Style levels and register: elevated, neutral, colloquial
    Words and reading language and linguistics
    Drills meanings
    Speaking a conversation with an editor about the tone of your article
    Ask the tutor
    • How do I make the same request in three registers: to a friend, a colleague and an authority? Wie formuliere ich dieselbe Bitte in drei Registern: an einen Freund, einen Kollegen und eine Behörde?

  5. Week 5: Narrating and remembering Erzählen und Erinnern

    Tell and analyse stories, use the narrative tenses and free indirect speech, and discuss history and remembrance.

    Grammar Narrative tenses and free indirect speech (erlebte Rede)
    Words and reading history and remembrance
    Drills verbs
    Speaking a conversation with your grandmother's neighbour about how the town has changed since the 1960s

  6. Week 6: Arguing and rhetoric Argumentieren und Rhetorik

    Build a watertight argument, use 'es' as placeholder and correlate with precision, and write an expert statement.

    Grammar 'es' as placeholder and correlate: Es wurde viel gelacht. Ich halte es für geboten, dass …
    Words and reading rhetoric and argumentation
    Drills sentences
    Speaking a separation meeting with the employer, negotiating a termination agreement
    Ask the tutor
    • Which rhetorical devices work in German speeches, and how do I use them without sounding pompous? Welche rhetorischen Mittel wirken in deutschen Reden, und wie setze ich sie ein, ohne gestelzt zu klingen?

  7. Week 7: Art and criticism Kunst und Kritik

    Review an exhibition, a book or a performance, use the Nachfeld and extraposition for emphasis, and express fine shades of judgement.

    Grammar The Nachfeld and extraposition: …, als wir dachten. Er hat lange gewartet – auf eine Antwort, die nie kam.
    Words and reading the arts and criticism
    Drills plurals
    Speaking defending your harsh review to the director of the theatre

  8. Week 8: Philosophy and diplomacy Philosophie und Diplomatie

    Discuss ethical questions and international relations with precision and tact, and weigh up arguments from several sources.

    Words and reading philosophy and ethics, diplomacy and international relations
    Drills meanings
    Speaking mediating between two colleagues who disagree about a project
    Ask the tutor
    • How do I disagree with someone diplomatically in German without sounding weak? Wie widerspreche ich auf Deutsch diplomatisch, ohne schwach zu wirken?
    • How is the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom) structured, and how do I prepare for it? Wie ist das Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom) aufgebaut, und wie bereite ich mich darauf vor?

Grammar at C2

Conversations at C2

Reading at C2

Exams at C2

A1 · A2 · B1 · B2 · C1 · the whole course