SIOC Labs · A1–B2 · practical · Deutsch

SIOC Labs — German

Practical preparation for grammar, useful words and real survival language before and during a study stay abroad.

This is not a tourist phrasebook. It is built for students who need to function at school, in accommodation, at reception, in shops, on transport and when something goes wrong.

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How to use this lab

Use this sequence: listen or read once, speak aloud twice, cover the translation, then adapt the sentence with your own city, school, accommodation and problem. The aim is not perfect grammar first. The aim is controlled survival, then cleaner grammar.

Daily rule: 15 minutes phrases + 15 minutes grammar + 10 minutes writing + one spoken role-play. That is enough to make the first week abroad less stressful.

7-day preparation route

Day 1 — greetings, school reception and personal introduction.
Day 2 — classroom control: repeat, write, explain, correct, slow down.
Day 3 — accommodation: room, key, house rules, meals, laundry, noise.
Day 4 — food, shops and payment: order politely and fix mistakes.
Day 5 — transport: tickets, stops, delays, directions and missed connections.
Day 6 — health, pharmacy, insurance and emergency language.
Day 7 — mixed role-play: one full school day from breakfast to homework.

Core useful words

These are not decorative vocabulary lists. These are the words that appear again and again when students try to solve real problems abroad.

Word / phrase	Meaning	Use it
ja	yes	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
nein	no	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
bitte	please	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
danke	thank you	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
Entschuldigung	excuse me	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
heute	today	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
morgen	tomorrow	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
gestern	yesterday	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
hier	here	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
dort	there	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
jetzt	now	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
später	later	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
vorher	before	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
immer	always	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
nie	never	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
ich brauche	I need	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
ich möchte	I would like	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
ich kann	I can	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
ich habe	I have	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
es gibt	there is/are	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
der Unterricht	class/lesson	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
der Raum	room	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
die Rezeption	reception	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
die Unterkunft	accommodation	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
der Schlüssel	key	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
die Fahrkarte	ticket	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
die Apotheke	pharmacy	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
die Versicherung	insurance	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
der Bahnhof	station	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
der Arzt / die Ärztin	doctor	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.

Survival language

Memorise these first. They give you control in school, accommodation, public transport, cafés, pharmacies and difficult situations.

Guten Morgen, ich bin neu an der Schule.Good morning, I am new at the school.
Können Sie das bitte langsamer wiederholen?Can you repeat that more slowly, please?
Wie schreibt man dieses Wort?How do you spell this word?
Ich habe es noch nicht verstanden. Können Sie ein anderes Beispiel geben?I have not understood yet. Can you give another example?
Der Schlüssel zu meinem Zimmer funktioniert nicht.The key to my room does not work.
Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee und etwas zu essen.I would like a coffee and something to eat.
Wo kann ich eine Fahrkarte kaufen?Where can I buy a ticket?
Ich habe mich verlaufen. Ich suche diese Adresse.I am lost. I am looking for this address.
Mir geht es nicht gut. Gibt es eine Apotheke in der Nähe?I do not feel well. Is there a pharmacy nearby?
Könnten Sie mir helfen, meine Versicherung anzurufen?Could you help me call my insurance?

Grammar that unlocks real life

Grammar is useful when it helps you act. Learn these points through real sentences, not as isolated theory.

Grammar key

Sie / du

Use Sie with staff, teachers, doctors, police and strangers. Du is for peers after the relationship is friendly.

Grammar key

verb second

In normal statements the conjugated verb sits in position 2: Heute habe ich Unterricht.

Grammar key

modal verbs

Ich möchte, ich kann, ich muss, ich darf, ich soll give you immediate survival power.

Grammar key

cases in chunks

Do not panic. Learn fixed chunks first: in der Schule, zum Bahnhof, mit dem Bus, für den Kurs.

Grammar key

separable verbs

Ich komme um acht Uhr an. The prefix often moves to the end.

Dialogue training

Each dialogue is deliberately short. Your task is to expand it until it feels natural. Add names, times, addresses and city details.

Reception

A: Guten Morgen. Ich bin ein neuer Student. Wo muss ich mich anmelden?

Good morning. I am a new student. Where do I need to register?