The Lingaso Blog

Language learning,
done with depth.

Exam guides, vocabulary systems and honest learning tips for Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Korean and Chinese. No fluff.

38 guides

FrenchExamsGCSE

GCSE French (AQA & Edexcel): Complete Guide to Papers, Topics and Grade 9 Tips

All four papers, the themes and topics examiners draw on, and the writing and speaking moves that separate a grade 9 from a grade 6 — for both AQA and Edexcel.

12 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
FrenchExamsIGCSE

IGCSE French Listening and Speaking: Strategy Guides

Listening and speaking carry roughly half the marks in most IGCSE French syllabuses. Here is how to prepare for both, with question-by-question technique and role-play scripts.

11 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
FrenchExamsDELF

DELF A2 and B1 Exam Guide 2026: Format, Scoring and Prep Plan

The two DELF levels most learners take first — exact format and timing, pass marks, the writing and speaking tasks, and an eight-week preparation plan.

12 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
FrenchExamsIB

IB French Individual Oral: How to Score 7/7

The structure and timing of the individual oral, how to use the extract as evidence rather than a script, and what the language criteria reward.

11 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
FrenchExamsA-Level

A-Level French (AQA & Edexcel): Exam Structure and A* Tips

Every paper explained for both boards, the individual research project, film and literature essays, and the accuracy and range that push a grade B to an A*.

12 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
GermanExamsGoethe B1

Goethe B1 Exam Guide 2026: Modules, Scoring and How to Pass

The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 is the certificate most visa, citizenship and job applications ask for. Here is exactly how the four modules work, how they are scored, and how to pass each one.

13 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
GermanExamsComparison

Goethe vs TestDaF vs telc: Which German Exam Should You Take?

Three recognised German exams, three different purposes. This comparison covers levels, format, validity and which certificate your university, employer or visa office actually accepts.

12 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
GermanExamsGCSE

GCSE German (AQA & Edexcel): Exam Guide and Grade 9 Tips

All four GCSE German papers, the themes examiners draw on, and the writing and speaking moves that separate a grade 9 from a grade 6 — for both AQA and Edexcel.

12 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
GermanExamsIB

IB German Individual Oral: How to Score 7/7

The IB German oral rewards structure and interaction, not perfect grammar. Here is how the presentation and discussion work at SL and HL, what the criteria reward, and how to prepare.

11 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
JapaneseExamsJLPT N3

JLPT N3 Study Plan: How to Pass in 16 Weeks (2026)

A sixteen-week schedule for N3 with four phases, a weekly routine, section-by-section strategy and an eight-week compressed option — built around the actual scoring rules.

12 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
JapaneseExamsJLPT N1

JLPT N1 Complete Guide: Structure, Hours and Strategy

What N1 actually measures, how the two test sections and three scoring sections work, how many hours it takes, and how to build the reading speed and listening that decide the result.

10 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
JapaneseExamsJLPT

JLPT Levels Explained: N5 to N1, Difficulty and Time Needed

Every JLPT level in one place: kanji and vocabulary scale, typical study hours, pass marks, what each level lets you do, and which level you should actually book.

9 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
KoreanExamsTOPIK I

TOPIK I Study Plan: Pass Level 2 in 8 Weeks (2026)

An eight-week schedule for TOPIK I Level 2: the real format, the 140-point pass mark, a weekly routine, listening tactics and the five mistakes that cost marks.

11 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
KoreanExamsTOPIK II

TOPIK Writing Questions 53 and 54: Templates and Scoring Tips

Questions 53 and 54 are worth 80 of the 100 writing points. Here are the templates, the syllable limits, the scoring criteria and a practice loop that lifts both scores.

11 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
KoreanExamsTOPIK II

TOPIK Reading and Listening: Strategies for Every Question Type

Every TOPIK II listening and reading question type, what to do in the first ten seconds, and a time budget that gets you to the final passage with room to spare.

10 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
KoreanExamsEPS-TOPIK

EPS-TOPIK and KIIP: Korean Tests for Work and Residency Explained

Two tests that look alike and are not. What EPS-TOPIK contains, how the KIIP levels and tests work, and how to tell which one your situation requires.

10 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
ChineseExamsHSK 1

HSK 1 Study Plan: Pass in 6 Weeks (2026)

Six weeks to HSK 1: the real format, the 120-point pass mark, why pinyin comes first, the 150 words grouped by theme, and five mistakes that delay beginners.

10 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
ChineseExamsHSK 3

HSK 3 Study Plan: How to Pass in 12 Weeks (2026)

HSK 3 is where Chinese stops being a phrasebook: 600 words, longer texts and a handwritten writing section. A twelve-week plan in four phases.

11 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
ChineseExamsHSK 5-6

HSK 5 and HSK 6 Guide: Vocabulary, Reading and Writing Strategy

What changes between the two top levels, why the HSK 6 essay is a different skill, and a sixteen-week structure that covers vocabulary, speed and writing.

11 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
ChineseExamsHSKK

HSKK Speaking Exam Guide: Levels, Format and Tips

The recorded oral exam that sits beside HSK: three levels, three parts, 60 to pass, and the structures that keep you talking when the prompt runs out.

9 min readUpdated November 2026Read →
JapaneseExamsJLPT

JLPT N5 Study Plan: How to Pass in 10 Weeks (December 2026)

A week-by-week JLPT N5 study plan for the December 6, 2026 exam — vocabulary, kanji, grammar, reading and listening, plus free practice tips and a 4-week compressed option.

9 min readUpdated September 2026Read →
FrenchExamsDELF/DALF

DELF & DALF Exam Guide: Every Level from A1 to C2 Explained (2026)

The official French proficiency diplomas — six CEFR levels, how scoring works, which one you need for university or residency, and how to choose the right level for your goals.

12 min readUpdated September 2026Read →
GermanExamsGoethe

Goethe Exam Guide: Every Level from A1 to C2 Explained (2026)

Which Goethe-Zertifikat do you need? Every level from A1 to C2 explained — format, modular structure, scoring, what each level lets you do in Germany, and how to prepare.

12 min readUpdated September 2026Read →
ChineseExamsHSK

HSK 2.0 vs HSK 3.0: Which Should You Study For in 2026?

HSK is moving from 6 to 9 levels. What changed, how old and new levels compare, and how to choose the right study materials for your exam date.

10 min readUpdated September 2026Read →
JapaneseExamsJLPT

JLPT N4 Study Plan: How to Pass in 12 Weeks (2026)

The jump from N5 to N4 — roughly 1,500 words and 300 kanji — with a 12-week schedule, theme-based vocabulary lists, a section-by-section strategy, and a 6-week compressed option.

10 min readUpdated September 2026Read →
JapaneseExamsJLPT

JLPT N2 Complete Guide: Structure, Hours, and How to Pass (2026)

JLPT N2 is the level most Japanese employers and universities ask for. Exam structure, passing score, the vocabulary and kanji load, how many hours you need, and a section-by-section strategy.

13 min readUpdated September 2026Read →
KoreanExamsTOPIK

TOPIK Exam Guide: Every Level from 1 to 6 Explained (2026)

The official Korean proficiency exam — TOPIK I and TOPIK II, the six levels, how scoring works, which level you need for university or work in Korea, and how to choose the right test.

11 min readUpdated September 2026Read →
KoreanExamsTOPIK

TOPIK II Study Plan: Reach Level 4 in 16 Weeks (2026)

A week-by-week TOPIK II study plan for levels 3–6 — vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening, and the two writing essays, with section strategy and an 8-week compressed option.

12 min readUpdated September 2026Read →
ChineseExamsHSK

HSK Exam Guide: HSK 2.0 vs HSK 3.0 and Every Level Explained (2026)

The official Mandarin proficiency exam — how HSK 2.0 (levels 1–6) differs from the new HSK 3.0 (levels 1–9), how scoring works, which level you need for study or work in China, and how to choose the right test.

11 min readUpdated September 2026Read →
ChineseExamsHSK

HSK 4 Study Plan: Pass the Intermediate Milestone in 16 Weeks (2026)

A week-by-week HSK 4 (HSK 2.0) study plan — about 1,200 words and 1,000 characters, listening, reading, and the character-writing section, with section strategy and an 8-week compressed option.

12 min readUpdated September 2026Read →
SpanishExamsIGCSE

IGCSE Spanish Listening Paper (0530): Complete Strategy & Practice Guide

Question-by-question breakdown of Paper 1 — the six question sets, distractor trap patterns Cambridge uses in select-two questions, and an 8-week preparation timeline.

9 min readUpdated July 2026Read →
SpanishExamsDELE

DELE A2 Exam: Complete Guide 2026 — Structure, Pass Rules & Preparation

All four DELE A2 components, the grouped pass system explained, and a 12-week preparation timeline for the most widely taken entry-level Spanish proficiency diploma.

8 min readUpdated July 2026Read →
SpanishExamsIGCSE

IGCSE Spanish Reading Paper (0530): Question-by-Question Strategy

Six question groups broken down — the near-synonym vocabulary trap in Group 4, the distractor pattern in Group 5 matching, and time allocation for all 40 marks.

8 min readUpdated July 2026Read →
SpanishExamsIGCSE

Cambridge IGCSE Spanish (0530) from 2028: Complete Exam Guide & A* Tips

The new paper pattern, marks distribution, assessment objectives, and skill-by-skill tips — with toggle buttons for each of the four papers. Written in clear, simple English.

11 min readUpdated June 2026Read →
SpanishExamsIGCSE

IGCSE Spanish Writing & Speaking Papers: 2028 Mark Scheme & A* Guide

A deep dive into Paper 4 (Writing) and Paper 3 (Speaking) for the 2028–2030 syllabus: the new mark scheme, band descriptors, and exactly what separates an A* from an A.

10 min readUpdated June 2026Read →
SpanishExamsDELE

DELE Exam: Complete Guide 2026 — Levels, Structure, Pass Rules & Tips

Everything about the official Instituto Cervantes Spanish proficiency diploma: all six levels, how grading actually works, registration dates, the CCSE link for citizenship, and how to choose the right level.

9 min readUpdated June 2026Read →
SpanishExamsIGCSE

IGCSE Spanish: Papers, Marks & Criteria — Complete Assessment Breakdown

Every question group, band descriptor, and assessment objective across all four papers — the mark-scheme guide serious IGCSE candidates need.

10 min readUpdated June 2026Read →
SpanishExamsIGCSE

Mastering IGCSE Spanish Paper 4 Writing — Complete Question-by-Question Guide

Full breakdown of all three writing tasks: form-filling, directed writing, and extended writing — with mark schemes, band descriptors, grammar requirements, and A* strategy.

11 min readUpdated June 2026Read →