Olena Bazalukova
About the author

Olena Bazalukova

Olena Bazalukova is a philologist and language instructor with an academic background in foreign languages as well as many years of experience in Deutsch als Fremdsprache (DaF) and exam preparation.

Her professional work combines a solid philological education with practical experience in the German education system. Her focus lies on the structured teaching of the German language and on targeted preparation for standardized language exams.

In her work, she places particular emphasis on clarity, structure, and transparency. Her goal is not only to support learners linguistically, but also to provide them with confidence in dealing with exam formats, task logic, and assessment criteria.

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Education

Olena Bazalukova graduated in 2003 from the National Linguistic University of Kyiv (Ukraine).
She completed a full higher education program in the field of Language and Literature (English, German) and obtained the qualification of philologist and teacher of German and English.
The university degree is available in a certified German translation.

Language Qualifications and Personal Exam Experience

Olena Bazalukova has personal, documented exam experience within the German examination system:

  • Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ, level B1)
    Exam taken on 01.09.2023 at VHS Dortmund
    Result: B1 – very well fulfilled (all exam parts)
  • telc German Test for the Workplace B2
    Exam taken on 28.09.2024
    Overall result: B2 (208.5 out of 240 points)
    Special feature: Speaking 60/60 points

This personal exam experience forms a central foundation for her work in targeted preparation for DTZ and telc exams.

Professional Training and Practice in Germany

From October to December 2022, Olena Bazalukova participated in the program “Lehrkräfte PLUS” at the University of Duisburg-Essen, funded among others by the DAAD and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
The program was designed for refugee teachers and included:

  • subject-related language training (level B1+)
  • educational science workshops
  • career counseling
  • a short internship (observation placement) with 148 teaching units at a German primary school

Practical Experience in Language Testing and Examinations

From January to April 2025, Olena Bazalukova participated in the Special Initiative “Partnering in Business with Germany”, a program of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

As part of this program, she completed a job shadowing placement at the Society for Academic Study Preparation and Test Development (g.a.s.t.), the central institution responsible for the development and administration of standardized language tests in Germany.

This practical experience provided her with in-depth insights into:

  • the structure and logic of standardized language exams
  • assessment criteria
  • task formats and typical exam requirements

Main Areas of Work

On the platform deutsch-vorbereitung.com, Olena Bazalukova publishes well-founded professional content on:

  • Deutsch als Fremdsprache
  • targeted exam preparation (DTZ, telc)
  • typical mistakes and assessment logic in language exams
  • structured and exam-oriented learning

All content is based on her own education, personal exam experience, and practical work within the German education system.

Integration Award of the City of Dortmund 2025

Integration Award of the City of Dortmund 2025

Certificate for the “Partnering in Business with Germany” programme

Certificate for the “Partnering in Business with Germany” programme

Participation in the “Lehrkräfte PLUS Duisburg–Essen” programme

Participation in the “Lehrkräfte PLUS Duisburg–Essen” programme

Certificate “Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer”

Certificate “Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer”

Certificate “Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2”

Certificate “Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2”

Diploma, degree programme in “Language and Literature (English, German)”

Diploma, degree programme in “Language and Literature (English, German)”

Author publications

Publications found: 92

Olena Bazalukova
Forumsbeitrag bei der B2 Beruf Prüfung AI-generated image
B2
Beruf
Writing
Forum Post in the B2 Beruf Exam

How do you write a forum post in DTB B2? A clear guide with structure, examples, and exam tips for the Deutsch-Test für den Beruf.

Olena Bazalukova
Wie man einen B1-Brief (DTZ) schreibt AI-generated image
B1
DTZ
Writing
How to Write a B1 Letter (DTZ)

A detailed explanation of how to correctly write a B1 (DTZ) letter: structure, Betreff, 15 lines, handwriting, common mistakes, and exam requirements.

Olena Bazalukova
Die Redewendung „den Brotkorb höher hängen“ AI-generated image
The German expression “den Brotkorb höher hängen”

What does the German expression “den Brotkorb höher hängen” mean? Explanation, origin, examples, and why such expressions matter in exams.

Olena Bazalukova
Am Strand oder auf den Strand AI-generated image
Am Strand or auf den Strand

When do you say am Strand and when auf den Strand? Clear rules for WO and WOHIN, dative and accusative, and German prepositions.

Olena Bazalukova
Buchstaben im Prüfungsteil Schreiben AI-generated image
Letters in the writing section of the exam

Why correct German letters are important in the writing section of the exam and how incorrect letters can lead to point deductions in telc, DTZ and ÖSD.

Olena Bazalukova
Warum Deutsch zu lernen und sich auf eine Prüfung vorzubereiten zwei große Unterschiede sind. AI-generated image
Why learning German and preparing for an exam are two very different things.

How to stop having «a mess in your head» when preparing for DTZ, telc, and Goethe exams, and why learning German and successfully passing an exam are two completely different things.

Olena Bazalukova
Vorbereitung auf DTZ B1 Schreiben — Strategie statt Lotterie AI-generated image
B1
DTZ
Writing
Preparation for DTZ B1 Schreiben — strategy, not chance

Learn why structure is more important than grammar in DTZ B1 Schreiben, and how a clear strategy helps you confidently complete all task points.

Olena Bazalukova
In der Festung der Details: Was Lesen Teil 2 (telc) wirklich verbirgt AI-generated image
B1
telc
Reading
Inside the Fortress of Details: What Lesen Teil 2 (telc) is really hiding

Analysis of the tasks in telc B1 Lesen Teil 2: typical traps, common student mistakes, and a strategy that helps find the correct answers and avoid guessing.

Olena Bazalukova
Was Sie über die DTZ B1-Prüfung wissen müssen AI-generated image
B1
DTZ
What you need to know about the DTZ B1 exam

Here we have compiled all the important and useful information about the DTZ B1 test that can help you with your German exam. Our tips will help you prepare effectively and pass the B1 exam successfully.

Olena Bazalukova
B1 Hören – Die wichtigsten Tipps: Wie du verstehst, auch wenn du nicht alles verstehst AI-generated image
B1
Speaking
B1 Listening – Key Tips: How to understand even when you don’t understand everything

Learn the key tips for mastering the B1 listening exam: common traps, useful strategies, and examples to understand spoken German with confidence.

Olena Bazalukova
Was sind Subjekt und Prädikat – und warum sind sie im Hören wichtig? AI-generated image
Speaking
What are the subject and predicate – and why are they important in the listening section?

Learn how to identify the subject and predicate in the listening section of the German exam. With clear examples, tips, and exercises, you’ll understand who acts and what happens – the key to confident listening comprehension.

Olena Bazalukova
Synonym-Fallen im Hören: Tipps für die Deutsch-Prüfung AI-generated image
Speaking
Synonym Traps in Listening: Tips for the German Exam

Discover the most common synonym traps in the listening section of the German exam (DTZ, telc, Goethe) and learn how to recognize and avoid them confidently. Includes examples, tips, and a table of key synonyms.

Olena Bazalukova
B1 ÖSD Schreiben Teil 2: Themen, universelle Sätze und Redemittel AI-generated image
B1
ÖSD
Writing
Topics, universal sentences and set phrases for B1 ÖSD Writing Part 2

Prepare perfectly for B1 ÖSD Writing Part 2: here you find the most common topics, universal sentences as a building block and useful set phrases.

Olena Bazalukova
B1 ÖSD Schreiben Teil 2: Aufbau, Bewertung und typische Fehler AI-generated image
B1
ÖSD
Writing
B1 ÖSD Writing Part 2: structure, assessment and typical mistakes

Do not give away any points in B1 ÖSD Writing Part 2: we show you the perfect building-block structure and how you easily avoid typical mistakes with the register.

Olena Bazalukova
B1 ÖSD Schreiben Teil 1: Themen, universelle Sätze und Redemittel AI-generated image
B1
ÖSD
Writing
Topics, universal sentences and set phrases for B1 ÖSD Writing Part 1

This is how you nail the email in B1 ÖSD Writing Part 1! Learn universal set phrases for every guiding point as well as fixed building-block sentences for the perfect beginning & ending.

Olena Bazalukova
B1 ÖSD Schreiben Teil 1: Aufbau, Bewertung und typische Fehler AI-generated image
B1
ÖSD
Writing
B1 ÖSD Writing Part 1: Structure, Grading, and Typical Mistakes

This is how you master the B1 ÖSD & Goethe-Zertifikat in Writing Part 1! Learn everything about the correct email structure, the 4 grading criteria, and points.

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