telc German A1 – Listening (Hören)
Listening (Hören) is the first part of the written telc A1 exam (Start Deutsch 1). Here you’ll find the structure, tasks, exercises and a clear strategy for each of the three parts.
As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format
Key takeaways
- Listening has 3 parts with 15 tasks in total.
- Parts 1 and 3 are multiple choice (a/b/c), Part 2 is true/false.
- You hear most texts twice – plan around 20 minutes.
Overview
Listening is the first part of the written telc A1 exam. You hear short, simple everyday texts – small conversations, announcements and answering-machine messages – and solve tasks about them. In total that’s 15 tasks in three parts. You have around 20 minutes for it.
At its core it’s about understanding simple information: who is speaking, where the person is, what time it is, how much something costs. You don’t have to understand every word, just recognize the important information. You hear most texts twice, so you can check on the second listen.
The three parts have different tasks: in Part 1 you hear short conversations and choose from three pictures or answers (a/b/c), in Part 2 you decide for announcements whether a statement is true or false, in Part 3 you hear short messages and again choose from three answers. Always read the tasks before the audio starts.
The texts are short and simple, and you hear most of them twice. The biggest hurdle for beginners is the speaking pace – very doable with some listening practice.
The parts at a glance
| Part | Task type | Focus | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 – Short conversations (MC) | Multiple choice | Understanding simple conversations | 6 | 6 |
| Part 2 – Announcements (T/F) | True/False | Understanding announcements | 4 | 4 |
| Part 3 – Short messages (MC) | Multiple choice | Understanding messages | 5 | 5 |
Tips & strategy
Before each part you have time to look at the tasks and pictures. Use it: think about what to listen for (time, place, price).
You don’t have to understand everything. Focus on the one piece of information the task asks for – such as a time or a number.
You hear most texts twice. Mark your answer the first time and check it the second time.
At A1 it’s often about times, prices, house numbers or phone numbers. Practice understanding numbers especially.
There is no penalty for wrong answers. Guess rather than leave a task open.
Only the answer sheet is graded. Transfer your answers in good time, ideally right after each part.
Common listening situations
In the listening part you’ll meet typical A1 everyday situations:
- Short conversations
- while shopping, at the station, in a café (Part 1).
- Announcements
- in a department store, at the station or airport (Part 2).
- Answering-machine messages
- appointments, arrangements (Part 3).
- Numbers & times
- prices, phone numbers, opening hours.
Common topics
The audio texts revolve around simple everyday topics. Prepare vocabulary for these areas:
- Shopping & prices
- shop, market, paying
- Transport & directions
- train, bus, station, announcements
- Food & drink
- café, restaurant, ordering
- Appointments & time
- doctor, meeting, when?
- Home & family
- family, numbers, phone number
1-week study plan
- Day1Learn the format
Read this guide and do a first official listening practice test with audio – no pressure, just to understand the structure.
- Day2Part 1 – short conversations
Practice short dialogues and choosing from three answers (a/b/c). Focus on the one important piece of information.
- Day3Numbers & times
Practice understanding numbers, prices and times specifically – they come up often at A1.
- Day4Part 2 – announcements
Practice announcements and deciding true/false. Read the statements first.
- Day5Part 3 – messages & voicemail
Practice short answering-machine messages and choosing from three answers.
- Day6Full listening part under time
Work through all three parts with audio in one go and transfer your answers to an answer sheet.
- Day7Analyze your mistakes
Listen again to the spots where you went wrong: what did you miss? Review your weakest part specifically.
Are you ready?
- I understand the important information in a short conversation.
- I understand numbers, prices and times when listening.
- I can decide confidently between true and false for an announcement.
- I understand a short answering-machine message.
- I use the second listen to check my answers.
- I can finish all 15 tasks at listening pace.
Frequently asked questions
How many parts does telc A1 listening have?
Three parts with 15 tasks in total: Part 1 (short conversations, multiple choice, 6), Part 2 (announcements, true/false, 4) and Part 3 (short messages, multiple choice, 5).
How often do I hear the texts?
You hear most texts twice. That way you can check your answer on the second listen.
How much time do I have for listening?
Listening lasts around 20 minutes. It is a separate part that comes before reading and writing.
What does listening test?
Whether you understand simple everyday information – for example times, prices, places or short messages. You don’t have to understand every word.
Where do I find the audio (MP3)?
The audio files belong to the official practice test; telc offers them as MP3. We don’t host any audio – use the official practice test or practice listening with a Prepliq mock.
What’s the best way to practice listening?
Listen to short, simple German audio daily and practice numbers and times especially. At Prepliq you practice listening with realistic mock exams and get instant scoring.
May I take notes during listening?
Yes, you may take notes on the task sheet. But only the answer sheet is graded – transfer your answers in good time.