Resources · Levels explained
German CEFR levels,
A1 to C2.
Where the six levels come from, what each one means for German, what a text at each level looks like, how many words each takes, and how far most courses go. Every figure about Wortplay is counted from the course; everything else is sourced.
Read on September 25, 2026. Sources are numbered and listed at the end.
The six levels, in course words
- A1797Beginner
- A2697Elementary
- B11,805Intermediate
- B22,943Upper intermediate
- C15,367Advanced
- C24,978Proficient
The Common European Framework
Where the levels come from.
A1 to C2 are the six levels of the CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, published by the Council of Europe in 2001 after a decade of work.12 It was written for every language, not for German; it has been translated into some forty languages and is the reference almost everywhere in Europe and in much of the world beyond.2 A Companion Volume in 2020 extended the descriptors and added mediation, online interaction and sign languages.5
The levels describe what you can do, not what you know. Each is a set of “can do” statements, grouped into Basic user (A1, A2), Independent user (B1, B2) and Proficient user (C1, C2), with “plus” levels for a strong performance within a band.4 The framework “does not tell practitioners what to do, or how to do it”,4 and it sets no word counts. For German that job falls to the exam boards. The Goethe-Institut, telc and ÖSD certify every level, TestDaF and DSH cover the B2 to C1 stretch universities care about,61416 and their word lists, the closest thing German has to an official vocabulary, are three and stop at B1.
Level by level
What each level means for German learners.
The descriptions paraphrase the Council of Europe’s global scale.3 The exams are the main German ones; the hours are the Goethe-Institut’s range of teaching hours from zero.13 The course figures are counted from Wortplay at build time.
Beginner
A1 · BreakthroughEveryday expressions and very simple phrases. Introduce yourself, ask and answer questions about where you live and who you know, and manage a simple exchange if the other person speaks slowly and helps.
- German exams
- Goethe-Zertifikat A1 (Start Deutsch 1), telc Deutsch A1, ÖSD Zertifikat A1.6
- What it opens
- The spouse visa: joining a spouse in Germany asks for simple German, which the authorities define as A1.21
- Teaching hours
- About 60 to 150 hours from the start.13
- In Wortplay
- 797 words carry the A1 tag, from the official list; half are taught by level 3, nine in ten by level 36.
Elementary
A2 · WaystageSentences and common expressions about the things closest to you: family, shopping, the neighbourhood, work. Routine tasks that need a simple, direct exchange of information, and your background in simple terms.
- German exams
- Goethe-Zertifikat A2, telc Deutsch A2, ÖSD Zertifikat A2.6
- What it opens
- Everyday life on your own terms: shopping, directions, appointments, small talk. The A2 exam draws on the second official word list, about 1,300 entries.9
- Teaching hours
- About 150 to 260 hours from the start.13
- In Wortplay
- 697 words carry the A2 tag, from the official list; half are taught by level 13, nine in ten by level 45.
Intermediate
B1 · ThresholdThe main points of clear, standard speech on familiar matters at work, school and in free time. Getting by while travelling, simple connected text on familiar topics, and brief reasons for opinions and plans.
- German exams
- Goethe-Zertifikat B1 (a joint exam with ÖSD), telc Deutsch B1, ÖSD Zertifikat B1. The Goethe-Institut reports 461,000 B1 exams taken in 2025.6
- What it opens
- German citizenship: the naturalisation law asks for a B1 exam.1820 A visa for vocational training usually asks for B1 too.22
- Teaching hours
- About 260 to 490 hours from the start.13
- In Wortplay
- 1,805 words carry the B1 tag, from the official list; half are taught by level 42, nine in ten by level 140.
Upper intermediate
B2 · VantageThe main ideas of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussion in your own field. Conversation with native speakers without strain on either side, and a clear, detailed argument with its pros and cons.
- German exams
- Goethe-Zertifikat B2, telc Deutsch B2, ÖSD Zertifikat B2; TestDaF level 3 sits here.14
- What it opens
- Recognition as a nurse or in most other health professions, where the health ministers set the requirement at B2.23 Many skilled jobs ask for it.
- Teaching hours
- About 450 to 600 hours from the start.13
- In Wortplay
- 2,943 words carry the B2 tag, estimated from frequency; half are taught by level 47, nine in ten by level 67.
Advanced
C1 · Effective operational proficiencyA wide range of demanding, longer texts, implicit meaning included. Fluent, spontaneous speech without much searching for words, and well-structured writing on complex subjects, for social, academic and professional use.
- German exams
- Goethe-Zertifikat C1, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule, ÖSD Zertifikat C1; TestDaF levels 4 and 5 and the DSH-2 exam sit here.1416
- What it opens
- University: a TestDaF with level 4 in every part, or DSH-2, is accepted as proof of German for any degree programme, and the DAAD says C1 is often required.151617
- Teaching hours
- About 600 to 750 hours from the start.13
- In Wortplay
- 5,367 words carry the C1 tag, estimated from frequency; half are taught by level 108, nine in ten by level 140.
Proficient
C2 · MasteryVirtually everything you hear or read, with ease. Information from different sources summarised into one coherent account, and expression that is spontaneous, precise, and alive to the finer shades of meaning.
- German exams
- Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom, telc Deutsch C2, ÖSD Zertifikat C2.6
- What it opens
- Any German-speaking university, without a further language test, for a holder of the Goethe C2 certificate.7
- Teaching hours
- About 750 or more hours from the start.13
- In Wortplay
- 4,978 words carry the C2 tag, estimated from frequency; half are taught by level 178, nine in ten by level 205.
One level is not one exam: the same B1 can be certified by the Goethe-Institut, telc or ÖSD, and the TestDaF reports its own scale (TDN 3 to 5) that maps onto B2 to C1.14 Citizenship has required B1 since 2007; the 2024 reform shortened the residence requirement and kept the level.1819
Six paragraphs
What each level looks like.
One paragraph per level, written for this page in the situation the level’s descriptor names, out of the course’s own cards. The build traces every word to a card and its tag and refuses to build if one sits above its level. Words tagged at the level itself are marked; hover a word for its card.
Beginner
Introducing yourselfIch heiße Anna und ich komme aus Deutschland. Jetzt wohne ich in Berlin. Die Stadt ist groß, aber meine Wohnung ist klein. Ich habe einen Bruder und eine Schwester. Am Morgen trinke ich Kaffee und esse ein Brot. Dann gehe ich zur Arbeit. Ich arbeite in einer Firma. Am Abend koche ich oder ich sehe fern. Am Wochenende besuche ich meine Freunde.
My name is Anna and I come from Germany. Now I live in Berlin. The city is big, but my apartment is small. I have a brother and a sister. In the morning I drink coffee and eat some bread. Then I go to work. I work at a company. In the evening I cook or watch TV. On weekends I visit my friends.
59 words, every one a course card tagged A1 or below. All of them are A1 words. The latest in the course is kochen, level 10.
Elementary
A weekend, told simplyAm Samstag bin ich mit meiner Freundin in die Stadt gefahren. Wir haben zuerst auf dem Markt eingekauft: Obst, Gemüse und frisches Brot. Dann hatten wir Hunger und haben in einem kleinen Restaurant gegessen. Der Kellner war sehr freundlich. Am Nachmittag hatte ich einen Termin beim Arzt, weil ich seit einer Woche huste. Er hat gesagt, ich soll mehr schlafen und weniger am Computer sitzen. Jetzt geht es mir besser.
On Saturday I went into town with my girlfriend. First we shopped at the market: fruit, vegetables and fresh bread. Then we were hungry and ate at a small restaurant. The waiter was very friendly. In the afternoon I had an appointment with the doctor, because I have been coughing for a week. He said I should sleep more and sit at the computer less. Now I feel better.
70 words, every one a course card tagged A2 or below. The 7 marked are A2 words. The latest in the course is der Kellner, level 49.
Intermediate
Plans at work, with reasonsSeit zwei Jahren arbeite ich in einer kleinen Firma, die Möbel herstellt. Die Arbeit gefällt mir, obwohl die Tage manchmal lang sind. Nächstes Jahr möchte ich eine Weiterbildung machen, weil ich mehr Verantwortung übernehmen will. Meine Chefin unterstützt den Plan, aber sie meint, dass ich zuerst besser Deutsch lernen sollte. Deshalb besuche ich abends einen Kurs. Ich glaube, dass sich die Mühe lohnt: Wer gut Deutsch spricht, hat bessere Chancen.
For two years I have worked at a small company that makes furniture. I like the work, although the days are sometimes long. Next year I would like to do further training, because I want to take on more responsibility. My boss supports the plan, but she thinks I should first learn German better. So I go to a class in the evenings. I believe the effort will pay off: whoever speaks German well has better chances.
70 words, every one a course card tagged B1 or below. The 8 marked are B1 words. The latest in the course is sich lohnen, level 73.
Upper intermediate
An argument, both sidesOb Städte den Verkehr im Zentrum reduzieren sollten, wird seit Jahren heftig diskutiert. Die Anhänger der Idee verweisen auf saubere Luft, weniger Lärm und mehr Platz für Fußgänger und Radfahrer. Die Gegner befürchten dagegen wirtschaftliche Nachteile für den Handel und eine Belastung für alle, die vom Auto abhängig sind. Meiner Ansicht nach sind die Vorteile größer, sofern der öffentliche Verkehr gleichzeitig ausgebaut wird. Eine Maßnahme allein löst das Problem nicht; entscheidend ist die Kombination.
Whether cities should reduce traffic in the center has been fiercely debated for years. Supporters of the idea point to cleaner air, less noise and more room for pedestrians and cyclists. Opponents fear economic harm to retailers and a burden on everyone who depends on a car. In my view the advantages are greater, provided public transport is expanded at the same time. No single measure solves the problem; what matters is the combination.
74 words, every one a course card tagged B2 or below. The 12 marked are B2 words. The latest in the course is ausgebaut, level 61.
Advanced
An essay on languageDass Sprache unser Denken prägt, gilt inzwischen als selbstverständlich; umstritten bleibt, wie weit dieser Einfluss reicht. Wer eine Fremdsprache erlernt, erschließt sich nicht bloß einen neuen Wortschatz, sondern eine andere Gliederung der Wirklichkeit. Manche Unterscheidungen, die im Deutschen zweifellos nötig erscheinen, erweisen sich anderswo als überflüssig. Der Erwerb verläuft dabei selten gleichmäßig: Spürbare Fortschritte wechseln mit mühsamen Phasen scheinbaren Stillstands, in denen sich das Gelernte unbemerkt festigt.
That language shapes our thinking is by now taken for granted; what remains disputed is how far that influence reaches. Whoever learns a foreign language gains not merely a new vocabulary but a different way of structuring reality. Some distinctions that seem indispensable in German prove unnecessary elsewhere. And the learning rarely proceeds evenly: noticeable progress alternates with laborious phases of apparent standstill, in which what has been learned quietly settles.
67 words, every one a course card tagged C1 or below. The 12 marked are C1 words. The latest in the course is festigen, level 131.
Proficient
A page from a memoirAls ich unlängst in einer Schublade stöberte, geriet mir ein Brief in die Hände, den ich vor Jahren geschrieben, aber nie verschickt hatte. Der Ton war eitel, die Vorwürfe leichtfertig, und doch lauerte zwischen den Zeilen etwas, das ich damals nicht benennen konnte. Beim Lesen stockte ich, grübelte und erwischte mich dabei, wie ich mein jüngeres Ich wohlwollend betrachtete: Der Groll war längst verschwunden; geblieben war ein heikles Gemisch aus Scham und Nachsicht.
Rummaging through a drawer the other day, I came across a letter I had written years ago and never sent. The tone was vain, the accusations careless, and yet something lurked between the lines that I could not name at the time. Reading it, I faltered, brooded, and caught myself regarding my younger self with benevolence: the resentment had long since gone; what remained was a delicate mixture of shame and forbearance.
73 words, every one a course card tagged C2 or below. The 11 marked are C2 words. The latest in the course is die Nachsicht, level 163.
The question everyone asks
How many German words does each level take?
Three answers exist, and they measure different things: the official exam lists, the research on learners who passed, and the research on what a text needs.
The official lists: about 650, 1,300 and 2,400 words
The Goethe-Institut publishes a word list for each of its first three exams: about 650 words at A1, of which a candidate should use roughly half and understand the rest,8 about 1,300 lexical units at A2,9 and about 2,400 at B1, written jointly with ÖSD.10 They are chosen by topic rather than by frequency, as the A1 list says itself.8 That is why they hold Briefmarke (stamp) and Postleitzahl (postcode), everyday but rare in modern text, and why a course ordered by frequency moves such words forward by hand.
Above B1 there is no official list. The Goethe-Institut’s description of its B2 exam points to Profile deutsch, a 2005 reference work by the exam authors, and no board publishes a B2, C1 or C2 word list.1112 Any word count for those levels is an estimate.
What the research measured
Milton and Alexiou tested learners of English, French and Greek at each level and found that vocabulary size explained sixty to seventy percent of the difference between levels.2524 Their test samples only the 5,000 most frequent words, so its bands are scores out of 5,000: under 1,500 at A1, 1,500 to 2,500 at A2, 2,750 to 3,250 at B1, 3,250 to 3,750 at B2, 3,750 to 4,500 at C1 and 4,500 to 5,000 at C2.24 The Leipzig institute that builds German vocabulary tests with Erwin Tschirner, author of the standard German frequency dictionary, maps its bands the same way: 1,000 to 2,000 words points to A2, 3,000 to B1, 4,000 to 5,000 to B2.26
What a text needs
From the text side, Nation found that comfortable reading needs about 98% of the running words known, which for ordinary written English takes 8,000 to 9,000 word families; speech needs 6,000 to 7,000.27 Laufer and Ravenhorst-Kalovski put the minimum at 4,000 to 5,000 families for 95% coverage and the optimum at 8,000 for 98%.28 German is no easier: the 5,009 words of the Routledge frequency dictionary cover 84% to 95% of an average text, depending on the register.29 A native speaker, Duden estimates, actively uses 12,000 to 16,000 words and knows at least 50,000.30
Put together: the exam lists take you to about 2,400 words at B1. Reading a newspaper without a dictionary starts somewhere past 8,000. Most courses stop between the two.
| Level | Goethe list | Research band | Wortplay, cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | About 650 | Under 1,500 | 797 |
| A2 | About 1,300 | 1,500 to 2,500 | 1,494 |
| B1 | About 2,400 | 2,750 to 3,250 | 3,299 |
| B2 | None | 3,250 to 3,750 | 6,242estimated |
| C1 | None | 3,750 to 4,500 | 11,609estimated |
| C2 | None | 4,500 to 5,000 | 16,587estimated |
Goethe list: lexical units on the official exam word list.8910 Research band: Milton’s scores out of the 5,000 most frequent words, for learners of English, French and Greek.24 Wortplay: course words tagged at or below the level; A1 to B1 from the official lists, B2 to C2 estimated from frequency.
The levels in Wortplay
How the course tags its words by level.
Every card carries a CEFR tag, worked out when the course is built, and the Vocabulary page filters by it. The tag is one of three kinds.
- 16,883words and expressions, across 212 levels
- 3,299on the official A1, A2 and B1 word lists
- 6,242through B2, the level most courses stop at
- 10,345estimated C1 and C2, the part most courses never reach
- A1, A2 and B1 come from the official lists. A word gets the lowest Goethe list that prints it, so Bahnhof is A1 even though the B1 list prints it again. Feminine forms take their masculine’s level, as the lists intend.8910
- B2, C1 and C2 are estimates from frequency. A word on no list is placed by how common it is in the corpus the course is ordered by: roughly the 6,000 most common words are B2, the next 6,000 C1, and the long tail C2. The tag says “estimated” wherever it appears.
- A few hundred words are unranked. Recent slang, words of the year and most multi-word expressions are on no list and have no useful frequency, so they carry no tag rather than a made-up one.
Because the course is ordered by frequency, the tags rise with the levels: the first levels are almost all A1, the middle is B1 and B2, and the last hundred levels are the estimated C1 and C2 words no exam list covers. Completing a vocabulary course does not establish a CEFR level; an exam does, across listening, speaking, reading and writing. What the course does is put the words for each level in order, common ones first, with reviews scheduled so they stay.
- Level 0256 words
- Levels 1–10854 words
- Levels 11–251,230 words
- Levels 26–501,923 words
- Levels 51–1003,992 words
- Levels 101–1503,837 words
- Levels 151–2124,791 words
Example words for each level
Real cards. For A1 to B1, the first content words of the level in course order; for the estimated levels, common words from where the level’s cards concentrate.
A1A1 German words
797 course words are on the official A1 list. Half of them are taught by level 3, nine in ten by level 36.
- gutgood
- habenhave
- seinbe
- machenmake
- der Mannman
- kommencome
- sehensee
- die Frauwoman
- gehengo
- die Familiefamily
- das Haushouse
- großbig
- hörenhear
- heißenbe called
- die Schuleschool
- esseneat
- der Jungeboy
- das Kindchild
- das Buchbook
- altold
- lernenlearn
- der Namename
- schlechtbad
- sprechenspeak
A2A2 German words
697 course words are on the official A2 list. Half of them are taught by level 13, nine in ten by level 45.
- die Katzecat
- die Elternparents
- der Onkeluncle
- die Tanteaunt
- der Stuhlchair
- die Türdoor
- das Fensterwindow
- der Käsecheese
- kaltcold
- warmwarm
- heißhot
- die Musikmusic
- das ÖsterreichAustria
- die SchweizSwitzerland
- das Spielgame
- ganzwhole
- die Leutepeople
- natürlichof course
- das Paarpair
- lassenlet
- meinenmean
- die Meinungopinion
- die Geschichtestory
- ansehenlook at
B1B1 German words
1,805 course words are on the official B1 list. Half of them are taught by level 42, nine in ten by level 140.
- okokay
- die Nasenose
- das Zuhausehome
- stimmenbe true
- schauenlook
- die Liebelove
- nahnear
- coolcool
- die Hälftehalf
- die U-Bahnsubway
- das Rechtright
- der Fallcase
- die Artkind
- der Grundreason
- erhaltenreceive
- ernstserious
- festfirm
- gemeinsamshared
- ziehendraw
- der Beginnstart
- die Bedeutungmeaning
- das Fahrzeugvehicle
- das Fernsehentelevision
- die Gesellschaftsociety
B2B2 German words
2,943 course words are estimated B2. Half of them are taught by level 47, nine in ten by level 67.
- der Rückzugretreat
- der Segenblessing
- die Telefonnummertelephone number
- verdankenowe
- versagenfail
- der Vertriebsales
- das Volumenvolume
- der Vorfallevent
- der Vorsprunglead
- zeitlichin terms of time
- überwindenovercome
- abgebrochenabrupt
- die Abwehrdefense
- die Aktieshare
- die Amtszeitterm of office
- anhörenlisten to
- die Anpassungadjustment
- auffällignoticeable
- aufstellenset up
- die Auswertungevaluation
- begreifengrasp
- belastettainted
- benanntlabeled
- die Bombebomb
C1C1 German words
5,367 course words are estimated C1. Half of them are taught by level 108, nine in ten by level 140.
- sich erneuernrenew yourself
- sich unterstellenshelter
- das Kaiserreichempire
- der Kaplanchaplain
- das Layoutlayout
- die Maßgaberequirement
- das Monopolmonopoly
- die Nachrichtenagenturnews agency
- die Narbescar
- die Nierekidney
- offensivoffensive
- die Palmepalm
- der Parlamentarierparliamentarian
- die Pastaedible paste
- die Photovoltaiksolar power energy
- plausibelfeasible
- die Pointepoint
- die Preisverleihungaward ceremony
- der Pubbar
- die Pyramidepyramid
- ratloshelpless
- das Recyclingrecycling
- das Rollenspielrole play
- räumlichspatial
C2C2 German words
4,978 course words are estimated C2. Half of them are taught by level 178, nine in ten by level 205.
- der Quadratkilometersquare kilometre
- sich ausweitenwiden
- sich gegenüberstehenface each other
- die Teenager-Jahreteenage years
- der Ungehorsaminsubordination
- die Versandkostenforwarding costs
- der Zöllnercustoms officer
- die Kfz-Technikautomotive engineering
- rot-orangeorange red
- der AdventskalenderAdvent calendar
- der Amberambergris
- der Anhalterhitchhiker
- der Bolzenbolt
- der Entscheidungsträgerdecision maker
- der Fanatikerfanatic
- das Hallelujahallelujah
- der Kooperationspartnercooperation partner
- der Mixermixer
- das Rastergrid
- der Rauchmeldersmoke detector
- der Spitzersharpener
- die Sprachkenntnisselanguage skills
- das Staatsexamenfinal university examination
- die US-NotenbankFederal Reserve Bank
The part nobody advertises
How far do other German courses go?
Most stop at B2, and few say how many words they teach. The figures are as each provider published them on September 25, 2026, or as someone else counted them; they may change.
| Course | Words taught | Highest level |
|---|---|---|
| Duolingo | Not published. A community count of the course lists about 6,400 distinct words.32 | B2, since April 2026.31 |
| Babbel | Not published. | B2 in its course path, with extra content reaching the foundations of C1.33 |
| Busuu | Not published. | B2.34 |
| Rosetta Stone | Not published. | A1 to A2 in Foundations, the consumer course; B1 to C1 only in its enterprise product.3536 |
| Pimsleur | 300 to 500 items per level, five levels: about 1,500 to 2,500 in all.3738 | No CEFR level claimed. |
| Assimil, German With Ease | 2,000 to 3,000, by the publisher.39 | B2.39 |
| Nicos Weg (Deutsche Welle) | Not published. A learner who indexed the course counted about 3,500 lemmas through the first half of B1.41 | B1.40 |
| Goethe-Institut exam word lists | About 2,400 lexical units through B1. No list exists above that.1011 | B1. |
| Wortplay | 16,883 words and expressions across 212 levels, each tagged A1 to C2: 3,299 on the official lists, 2,943 estimated B2, and 10,345 estimated C1 and C2. | A1 to C2 tags. The last hundred levels are C1 and C2 vocabulary. |
The pattern is the same everywhere. Consumer courses reach B2 at most, and the ones that publish a count land between about 1,500 and 3,000 words; the largest community count is about 6,400. Set against the research above, that is a vocabulary for passing an exam, not for reading a newspaper.
Wortplay is built for the stretch after that. Of its 16,883 words, 6,242 cover A1 through B2. The other 10,345 are the C1 and C2 vocabulary no exam list prints and no course in the table claims to teach. Two caveats: word counts are not like for like (lexemes, “items”, or Wortplay’s cards, which include some expressions), and those courses teach grammar, listening and speaking too. Wortplay teaches words, their articles, plurals and forms, and belongs beside a course rather than instead of one.
Common questions
Short answers.
How many words do I need for A1 German?
The official Start Deutsch 1 list has about 650 words; the Goethe-Institut expects a candidate to use about half actively and understand the rest.8 Wortplay tags 797 words A1; half of them are in the first 3 levels. The 1,000 most common German words covers them and more.
How many words do I need for B1 German?
The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 draws on a list of about 2,400 lexical units.10 Learners who reached B1 in other languages knew 2,750 to 3,250 of the 5,000 most frequent words.24 Wortplay’s A1, A2 and B1 tags together cover 3,299 words.
How many words is B2 or C1 German?
No official list exists above B1, so every figure is an estimate.11 The research bands are 3,250 to 3,750 of the top 5,000 words at B2 and 3,750 to 4,500 at C1, but those tests stop at 5,000 words, and comfortable reading needs 8,000 or more families.2427 Wortplay estimates B2 as roughly the 6,000 most common words and C1 as the next 6,000, and labels both as estimates.
Is B1 enough for German citizenship?
The naturalisation law requires a B1 exam, with the other conditions: five years of lawful residence and the naturalisation test.1820 B1 has been the level since 2007; the 2024 reform changed the years, not the level.19
How long does it take to reach B2 in German?
The Goethe-Institut’s guidance is about 450 to 600 hours of teaching from zero to B2, and 600 to 750 to C1; A1 takes 60 to 150.13 Self-study varies more, and vocabulary is the part that never stops.
Will finishing Wortplay make me C1?
No. A CEFR level is measured across listening, speaking, reading and writing, and only an exam certifies one. Wortplay makes sure the words for every level are learned and kept, including the C1 and C2 vocabulary most courses never reach; the rest of the level comes from using the language. More in the FAQ.
Are the CEFR levels only for Europe?
They were written by the Council of Europe, but the framework is language-neutral and used by exam boards and courses worldwide; the Council of Europe reports translations into some forty languages.2 The Goethe-Institut alone reports about 1.1 million exams taken in 2025.6
Sources
Where this page was read.
Every link was open on September 25, 2026. The Wortplay figures and the sample paragraphs are read from, and checked against, the course at build time.
- Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), Council of Europe. https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages
- History of the CEFR, Council of Europe. https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/history
- Global scale: Table 1 (CEFR 3.3), Common Reference Levels, Council of Europe. https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale
- The CEFR: introduction and context, Council of Europe. https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/introduction-and-context
- CEFR Companion Volume (2020), Council of Europe. https://rm.coe.int/common-european-framework-of-reference-for-languages-learning-teaching/16809ea0d4
- Deutschprüfungen A1–C2, Goethe-Institut. https://www.goethe.de/de/spr/prf.html
- Anerkennung der Goethe-Zertifikate B2 bis C2 an Hochschulen (PDF, May 2026), Goethe-Institut. https://www.goethe.de/pro/relaunch/prf/de/anerkennung-goethe-zertifikat_B2-C2.pdf
- Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1, Wortliste (PDF), Goethe-Institut. https://www.goethe.de/pro/relaunch/prf/de/A1_SD1_Wortliste_02.pdf
- Goethe-Zertifikat A2, Wortliste (PDF), Goethe-Institut. https://www.goethe.de/pro/relaunch/prf/de/Goethe-Zertifikat_A2_Wortliste.pdf
- Goethe-Zertifikat B1, Wortliste (PDF), Goethe-Institut and ÖSD. https://www.goethe.de/pro/relaunch/prf/de/Goethe-Zertifikat_B1_Wortliste.pdf
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