It’s fun tapping colorful pictures on your phone and collecting points. Apps like Duolingo or Babbel are great for killing time at the bus stop.
But then comes the shock: You walk into the official A1 exam (Goethe/Telc) for your visa – and suddenly you realize: "I can match 'Apple' and 'Bread', but I can't speak a single full sentence."
Here is the honest truth about what apps can do – and what they can NOT do.
The Problem: "Gamification" Is Not an Exam
Language apps are built to make you feel good (hello, dopamine!). You win hearts and level up. But the real exam doesn't care about your level streak.
What apps are good at:
- Drilling vocabulary (expanding your word bank).
- Taking away the fear of starting a new language.
What apps often fail to teach (but are crucial for the exam):
- Free Writing: In an app, you usually click on word tiles. In the exam, you have a blank sheet of paper in front of you, and you have to write a letter from scratch.
- Understanding Context: An app tells you: "That was wrong." But it rarely explains why (grammar rules).
- Real Dialogues: Repeating after a computer voice is very different from spontaneously answering an examiner's question.
The Difference at V-IZ: Structure Instead of Games
We are not saying: "Delete your apps." Feel free to use them as a supplement! But do not rely on them alone for your visa.
At V-IZ, we simulate the real deal:
- Explanation instead of Guessing: In the videos, Marlene explains the logic behind the language. When you understand the "Why," you no longer have to guess.
- Learning to Write: We show you templates for emails that you can use almost 1:1 in the exam.
- Practice Speaking: With our Premium AI Trainer, you hold real conversations, not just fill-in-the-blanks.
Conclusion: The Mix Matters
Use the app for those 10 minutes on the subway. But use a structured course for the 60 minutes of real studying at home.
If your goal is "just fun," stick with the app. If your goal is "Certificate & Visa," you need a plan.
Get the security you need for the exam:
The Structured Video Course (A1.1):
➡️ Learn German strictly for results (Start A1.1)
All Inclusive (Course + Exam Prep):
➡️ Go to A1 Complete Package
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