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

Certificate for the “Partnering in Business with Germany” programme

Participation in the “Lehrkräfte PLUS Duisburg–Essen” programme

Certificate “Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer”

Certificate “Deutsch-Test für den Beruf B2”

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

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.

Die Redewendung „den Brotkorb höher hängen“

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.

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.

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.

Warum Deutsch zu lernen und sich auf eine Prüfung vorzubereiten zwei große Unterschiede sind.

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.

Vorbereitung auf DTZ B1 Schreiben — Strategie statt Lotterie

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.

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.

Was Sie über die DTZ B1-Prüfung wissen müssen

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.

B1 Hören – Die wichtigsten Tipps: Wie du verstehst, auch wenn du nicht alles verstehst

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.

Was sind Subjekt und Prädikat – und warum sind sie im Hören wichtig?

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.

Synonym-Fallen im Hören: Tipps für die Deutsch-Prüfung

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.

Clip Thinking and Modern Learning

Clip thinking and modern learning: How deutsch-vorbereitung.com applies 21st-century didactic principles – structured, visual, and effective.

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telc

Reading

telc B1 Reading Part 1: structure, assessment and typical mistakes

Safely through telc B1 Reading Part 1: discover the official 4-step strategy, see through nasty word traps and make the most of your 10 minutes.

Goethe

Reading

Goethe B1 Reading Part 2: the right strategy and all typical traps

Master plan for Goethe B1 Reading Part 2! Learn the best step-by-step strategy, use the trap map and see through every multiple-choice trap.

Goethe

Reading

Goethe B1 Reading Part 2: structure, assessment and typical mistakes

This is how you master Goethe B1 Reading Part 2! Find out everything about the structure, the exact assessment and the 8 most common mistakes that cost you points unnecessarily.