Goethe B1 Speaking (Sprechen): Tasks and Tips

Sprechen at a Glance

The Goethe B1 Sprechen module takes about 15 minutes and is almost always a paired exam: you sit with another candidate in front of two examiners. One examiner leads and asks questions; the other observes and scores. Before the exam you get around 15 minutes of preparation time to read your tasks and make notes.

There are three parts, and each tests a different ability:

• Teil 1 — Gemeinsam etwas planen: plan an activity together with your partner.
• Teil 2 — Ein Thema präsentieren: give a short presentation on a topic.
• Teil 3 — Über die Präsentation sprechen: ask and answer questions about each other's presentation.

Like every B1 module, Sprechen is scored from 0 to 100, and you need 60 to pass. Because the exam is modular, you can retake Sprechen alone if it is the only module you fail.

Teil 1: Plan Something Together

You and your partner are given a shared task — for example, organising a colleague's farewell, planning a weekend trip, or preparing a birthday surprise. The prompt lists points to settle: when, where, who brings what, how to get there, and so on.

This part is about negotiation and cooperation, not a speech. The examiners want to hear a genuine back-and-forth: you propose, your partner reacts, you agree or suggest an alternative, and you reach a decision together.

• Make concrete proposals: "Wir könnten am Samstagnachmittag …".
• React to your partner: "Gute Idee" or "Das finde ich schwierig, weil …".
• Offer an alternative when you disagree: "Vielleicht ist es besser, wenn wir …".
• Close each point with a decision: "Gut, dann machen wir das so."

Avoid the common trap of planning everything alone. If you decide every detail yourself, the examiners cannot assess interaction — and your partner suffers too.

Teil 2: Present a Topic

Each candidate gives a short, structured presentation (a couple of minutes) on a B1-level topic such as "Einkaufen im Internet," "Urlaub," or "Sport im Alltag." You usually get a card with guiding points to structure your talk.

A clear structure is what earns points here:

1. Introduce the topic: "Ich möchte über … sprechen."
2. Share your own experience: "In meinem Heimatland ist es so, dass …".
3. Give advantages and disadvantages: "Ein Vorteil ist …, aber ein Nachteil ist …".
4. State your opinion: "Meiner Meinung nach …".
5. Conclude: "Abschließend möchte ich sagen, dass …".

You do not need expert knowledge. The examiners assess your German, not the depth of your argument. A simple, well-organised talk with clear signposting scores better than a clever but disorganised one.

Teil 3: Discuss the Presentation

After each presentation, the other candidate asks a question or two, and the presenter responds. You may also give brief feedback or add a comment. This part is short but important: it shows you can listen, react spontaneously, and keep a conversation going.

• Ask a real question: "Du hast … erwähnt. Wie ist das bei dir genau?"
• Answer fully, not in one word: give a reason or an example.
• Show you listened: "Das hast du interessant erklärt, ich wollte noch fragen …".

Prepare one or two flexible questions during your preparation time so you are never caught silent when it is your turn to ask.

What Examiners Assess

B1 speaking is judged on a small set of criteria. Knowing them tells you where to focus:

• Task fulfilment: Did you cover the points and complete the task?
• Interaction: Do you respond to your partner and keep the conversation moving?
• Fluency and coherence: Can you speak with reasonable flow and link your ideas?
• Vocabulary range: Do you have the words to discuss the topic?
• Grammatical accuracy and pronunciation: Is your German understandable, even with minor errors?

The key insight: communication outweighs perfection. A candidate who speaks fluently with a few grammar slips usually scores higher than one who pauses constantly to search for the perfect form. Keep talking, keep the meaning clear, and recover smoothly when you make a mistake.

Phrases That Carry You Through

Bank a small set of reliable phrases. They reduce the load on exam day and let you focus on content:

• Making proposals: "Wir könnten …", "Was hältst du davon, wenn wir …?", "Ich würde vorschlagen, dass …".
• Agreeing: "Das ist eine gute Idee.", "Da bin ich ganz deiner Meinung.", "Genau, einverstanden."
• Disagreeing politely: "Das sehe ich anders.", "Vielleicht, aber ich denke eher, dass …".
• Structuring a presentation: "Zuerst …", "Außerdem …", "Ein weiterer Punkt ist …", "Zum Schluss …".
• Buying time: "Das ist eine gute Frage.", "Lass mich kurz überlegen.", "Wie soll ich sagen …".

The time-buying phrases matter more than they look. A natural German filler keeps you fluent and stops an awkward silence while you plan your next sentence.

Practical Tips and Common Errors

Use your preparation time well

Jot down keywords, not full sentences. You cannot read a script aloud, and notes that are too detailed pull your eyes down and break eye contact. Five or six keywords per part are enough.

Treat your partner as an ally

Your partner's level does not change your score, and you are not competing. If your partner gets stuck, a small prompt — "Und was meinst du?" — gives them space and shows the examiners strong interaction skills.

Don't memorise full presentations

Examiners recognise a rehearsed monologue immediately, and it falls apart the moment they ask a follow-up. Practise the structure and the phrases, then speak freely within them.

Recover from mistakes calmly

If you say something wrong, correct it briefly — "… also, ich meine …" — and continue. Do not stop and apologise. Self-correction is a normal feature of fluent speech and is not penalised.

Practise out loud, with a partner

Speaking is the skill you cannot cram. Rehearse the three parts aloud with a study partner or tutor, and record yourself to catch repeated errors and filler pauses. Build regular speaking sessions into your study plan from early on.