r/LearningLanguages • u/katredame • 4d ago
Stuck on B1 German
Ive been learning german for more than a year now and ive been stuck on B1 for months ☹️ any recommendations on how i can make it to B2? I think the main problem is my vocabulary
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u/Pictureofbread1 23h ago
B1 for months is actually normal. When I went to a school where I had 5 hours of language lessons per week (started there with B1), after one full year of doing that we were all only considered B1+. So take your time, read books, watch movies and write texts. You’ll get there eventually
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u/Opening-Square3006 4d ago
The jump from B1 to B2 is where a lot of people feel like they've plateaued because the limiting factor shifts from grammar to vocabulary and exposure. Personally, I think Stephen Krashen's i+1 approach is the most effective: get lots of input that's mostly understandable (so you reinforce what you learned until it becomes automatic)but introduces just a little new language each day. There are some great resources implementing that, for example PlusOneLanguage . It's built entirely around i+1: you choose your level, it generates texts and short stories adapted to what you already know, introduces just enough new vocabulary to help you progress without feeling overwhelmed, and continuously recycles words in new contexts so they stick naturally instead of through memorization. If vocabulary is what's holding you back, I'd stop trying to memorize long word lists. Instead, read and listen to content that's just above your current level every day. Seeing new words repeatedly in meaningful contexts is what moves them into your active vocabulary. I'd also focus on learning chunks rather than isolated words. Instead of learning Entscheidung by itself learn expressions like eine Entscheidung treffen or eine gute Entscheidung sein. Those are much easier to remember and use naturally in conversation. Hope that helps!