Glossary of German exam terms: Teil, Modul, Sprachbausteine and more

When you prepare for a Goethe, telc or ÖSD exam, many terms appear in German: in notices, on registration pages and on the certificate. Below they are grouped by topic. The terms are left in German — that is exactly how they are written in the exam and in documents. Information as of 2026-10-04.

Exam structure

GER / CEFR (A1–C2)

Gemeinsamer Europäischer Referenzrahmen — the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It divides language ability into six levels: A1, A2 (basic), B1, B2 (independent), C1, C2 (proficient). Exams and visa requirements are written in these levels. Exams by level

Teil

A separate block of tasks within an exam part. For example, in Goethe A1 Lesen consists of three Teile: Teil 1, Teil 2, Teil 3. Each Teil has its own question type.

Modul

A part of the exam that is graded separately. Goethe-Zertifikat B1 consists of four Module — Lesen, Hören, Schreiben, Sprechen; each is graded out of 100 points and passed with 60 points. Goethe B1

Lesen

The reading part: you read texts, notices, letters or articles and answer questions.

Hören

The listening part: you listen to audio recordings (conversations, announcements, radio) and answer questions.

Schreiben

The writing part: you fill in a form, or write a letter, a message or a text giving your opinion. The text is graded on content, structure and language.

Sprechen

The oral part: you speak in front of the examiners, alone, in a pair or in a group. Depending on the level there is an introduction, questions and answers, planning something together or a presentation.

Sprachbausteine

The grammar and word-combination part of telc exams (in English, Language Elements): you fill the gaps in a text with the correct word. It is part of telc Deutsch B1; Goethe-Zertifikat B1 has no separate part like this. telc B1

Modelltest / Modellsatz

A complete sample set in the exam format: with the order, timing and question types of the real exam. It is used to check your preparation before the exam. Modelltest

Results and grading

Punkte

Points. In Goethe A1 there are 100 points in total (75 written, 25 oral); in B1 each module is out of 100.

bestanden / nicht bestanden

Passed / not passed. In Goethe exams you usually need at least 60 out of 100 points (60%); in A2 there is also a separate minimum for the written and the oral part.

Prädikat: sehr gut, gut, befriedigend, ausreichend

The grade words on a Goethe certificate: 100–90 points — sehr gut (very good), 89–80 — gut (good), 79–70 — befriedigend (satisfactory), 69–60 — ausreichend (sufficient, passed), 59–0 — nicht bestanden (not passed).

Zertifikat / Zeugnis

The document confirming the exam result. Since August 2024 the Goethe-Institut Tashkent issues the certificate in digital form; a paper copy is available for a separate fee.

Exams and organisations

Goethe-Zertifikat

The certificate of the Goethe-Institut exams, from A1 to C2. In Uzbekistan you take it at the Goethe-Institut Tashkent and at licensed centres. Goethe exam in Tashkent

Start Deutsch 1 / Start Deutsch 2

The names of the exams at A1 and A2. The full name of Goethe-Zertifikat A1 is Start Deutsch 1; telc Deutsch A1 and A2 are also called Start Deutsch 1 and 2. Goethe A1

Zertifikat Deutsch

The name of the telc Deutsch B1 exam. telc B1

telc

telc gGmbH — an organisation that produces exams in German and other languages. It issues telc Deutsch A1, A2, A2·B1, B1 and other exams. telc A1 and A2

ÖSD

Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch — Austria's system of German exams. ÖSD Zertifikat B1 is the same exam as Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

Prüfungszentrum

An exam centre — an institution authorised to hold the exam. Outside Tashkent, Goethe exams are also held by licensed centres in Andijan, Urgench, Fergana and Karshi. List of centres

Anmeldung

Registration for an exam. At the Goethe-Institut Tashkent places open on the 1st of every month; each person can book one.

MeinGoethe

The Goethe-Institut's online personal account (my.goethe.de). Registration for Goethe exams in Tashkent is done through it.

Unterrichtseinheit (UE)

A teaching unit — 45 minutes. The Goethe-Institut gives 80–200 teaching units for reaching level A1. Plan from A1 to B1

Visa, work and career

Visum

A visa — permission to enter Germany. For citizens of Uzbekistan it is issued by the German embassy in Tashkent; the list of documents differs by type of visa. Visa and German

Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG)

The German Residence Act. The language requirements for visas and residence permits are written in this law; § 2 defines einfache = A1, hinreichende = A2, ausreichende = B1, gute = B2. Visa and German

Ehegattennachzug

Joining a spouse. Under AufenthG § 30 the spouse must be able to communicate in German at least at a simple level (A1); the law has exceptions. Visa and German

Chancenkarte

A points-based residence permit for looking for work in Germany (AufenthG § 20a). The points route requires at least A1 German or B2 English; German at A2–B2 gives extra points. Chancenkarte points

Ausbildung

Vocational training in Germany: the trainee does practical work at a company and studies at a vocational school (Berufsschule). The language requirement is set in AufenthG § 16a and in the employer's conditions. Ausbildung and German

Anerkennung

Recognition of a professional qualification obtained abroad in Germany. If an additional measure is needed for recognition (AufenthG § 16d), at least A2 German is usually required.

Approbation

The professional licence in Germany for doctors (and some other medical professions). One of its conditions is the knowledge of German needed for the profession. The FSP for doctors

Fachsprachprüfung (FSP)

The medical professional language exam for foreign doctors. Under the 2014 GMK resolution it tests professional language aimed at C1 on top of general B2; the result is usually valid for 3 years. The FSP for doctors

Landesärztekammer

The medical chamber of a federal state. In many states this chamber holds the Fachsprachprüfung; the procedure and price differ from state to state. The FSP for doctors

This page is general information, not legal advice. Exam and visa rules change — check the official pages of the exam centre and the German embassy in Tashkent.