School, Training and CV Basics

School, vocational training and basic CV language belong together at A2: educational background, experience and simple application information in clear sentences. A perfect professional CV is not the aim — independent everyday talk about education and work is.

1.Core vocabulary: school

Central school words include rooms and routines as well as results such as grades and certificates.

2.School types and educational paths

School systems differ by country and region. At A2 it is more important to describe one’s own path clearly than to memorise every German school type.

If another system is organised differently, a simple description of that path is enough.

3.Talking about school years

Useful patterns name the place of school, favourite subjects, strengths and difficulties.

4.Qualifications and certificates

der Schulabschluss and der Abschluss name the completed qualification; das Zeugnis, das Abschlusszeugnis and die Bescheinigung are documents that record or confirm it.

If the exact German equivalent of a foreign qualification is unclear, a simple description is often better than an inaccurate translation.

5.Ausbildung — the basic idea

die Ausbildung often means vocational training for a specific occupation, typically with time in a company and at a vocational school.

Also common: der Azubi / die Auszubildende, and die Prüfung at the end.

6.eine Ausbildung machen / beginnen / abschließen

Common verb combinations mark different stages of training.

abbrechen neutrally means that a training programme was not completed.

7.University studies

University language centres on studieren, das Studium, institution and subject.

Also: das Semester, der Abschluss.

8.Courses, further training, and professional development

Not every qualification is a formal Ausbildung or university programme. Courses and short programmes fill many gaps.

Also: das Zertifikat.

9.Internships

A Praktikum provides practical experience in a workplace.

Also: der Praktikant / die Praktikantin, der Betrieb.

10.Work experience

Work experience is central in a basic CV and in conversation about jobs.

Also: die Tätigkeit, die Verantwortung.

11.Describing tasks simply

Clear concrete verbs are usually enough at A2.

12.Time expressions in an educational path

Time expressions structure both a CV and spoken chronologies.

13.seit + present tense

When something started in the past and is still continuing, German often uses the present tense with seit.

Incorrect if the activity is still continuing today: Seit zwei Jahren habe ich Deutsch gelernt. — the Perfekt would suggest a completed stretch, not an ongoing one.

14.CV — basic structure

A simple CV often groups information under clear headings.

A CV is normally concise. Long full sentences are often unnecessary on the page; spoken explanations use fuller sentences.

15.Personal details

Typical fields include name, address, phone, email and date of birth. Conventions differ by country, field and personal situation. In conversation, people often point to where details stand on the page.

Personal information belongs only where it is actually needed.

16.Work experience in a CV

Written entries stay short; spoken accounts expand them into sentences.

Written style (example): 2022–2025 Verkäufer, Firma X · 2020–2022 Küchenhilfe, Restaurant Y.

17.Education and studies in a CV

Typical details are year or period, institution, place, and qualification or subject.

18.Language skills

Levels and labels should stay clear and honest.

Written style (example): Deutsch: A2 · Englisch: gut · Polnisch: Muttersprache.

19.Computer skills and other abilities

Common areas include word processing, spreadsheets, email, cash-register systems, industry software, a driving licence, and machines or equipment.

20.können, Erfahrung haben, sich auskennen

Ability, experience and familiarity use different frames.

21.Describing strengths simply

A short list of concrete adjectives is enough at A2; examples of behaviour are often clearer than long self-praise.

Also: lernbereit, teamfähig.

22.Talking about goals

Conversations about school, training or work often turn to goals. Common frames are Ich möchte …, Ich will …, Mein Ziel ist …, Später möchte ich …, Zurzeit möchte ich ….

23.Typical questions about educational background

These questions appear in advisory meetings, courses and basic application situations.

24.Structuring short answers

A clear A2 answer often has three parts: what, when or how long, and where or in which field.

25.Explaining gaps in a CV neutrally

Periods without school or employment can be named factually. More personal detail than the situation requires is unnecessary.

26.Recognition and translation of documents

Foreign qualifications often bring words such as die Anerkennung, anerkennen, die Übersetzung, übersetzen, beglaubigen and die beglaubigte Kopie.

Exact requirements depend on the institution and procedure.

27.Asking for information

Practical questions cover enrolment, documents, start dates, duration, cost and further information.

28.sich anmelden and sich bewerben

These verbs look similar but serve different situations.

29.Application documents

Typical documents include the application packet and supporting papers.

Also: das Zertifikat, die Bescheinigung, die Anlage, die Kopie.

30.Summarizing a CV orally

A simple spoken summary can be chronological: qualification → training or study → work → current situation → next goal.

Five clear sentences are often enough for an A2 self-introduction.

31.Perfekt and Präteritum in this topic

Personal experiences often use the Perfekt. The Präteritum forms of sein and haben are also very common in natural accounts.

32.Linking words for a clear account

Sequence words make an education-and-work story coherent: zuerst, dann, danach, später, anschließend, seitdem, zurzeit.

33.Dialogue: advice about further training

Experience, goals and required documents often appear together.

34.Dialogue: training position

Answers stay short and concrete: field, experience, tasks.

35.Dialogue: explaining a CV

A chronological answer is easy to follow.

36.Typical misunderstandings

37.Common mistakes