Goethe-Zertifikat A2 – Speaking (Sprechen)
In the Speaking module – the oral exam – you speak in three parts, usually in pairs with a partner. Here’s the structure, useful phrases and examples for each part.
As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format
Key takeaways
- The oral exam has 3 parts and lasts around 15 minutes – usually as a paired exam.
- Part 1: ask and answer questions · Part 2: talk about yourself · Part 3: plan together.
- 25 points in total. To pass you need at least 15 of 25 points.
Overview
Speaking – the oral exam – is the fourth module of the Goethe-Zertifikat A2 exam. You speak in three parts, usually in a pair with another candidate. The exam lasts around 15 minutes. You can score 25 points in total; to pass you need at least 15.
It tests whether you can communicate in simple everyday situations: ask and answer questions on a topic, talk about yourself and your life, and plan something together with your partner. It’s not about perfect grammar, but about being understood and responding to your partner.
The three parts call for three skills: in Part 1 you ask questions on a topic using keywords and answer your partner’s questions, in Part 2 you talk about yourself and your life on a topic, in Part 3 you plan something together (e.g. a trip) and reach agreement. Fixed phrases help you.
The tasks are simple and close to everyday life. The most common hurdle isn’t grammar but speaking freely and responding to your partner. Very doable with useful phrases.
The parts at a glance
| Part | Task type | Focus | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 – Ask questions | Question and answer | Asking & answering questions | 1 | 8 |
| Part 2 – Talk about yourself | Talking | Talking about yourself | 1 | 8 |
| Part 3 – Plan together | Planning conversation | Negotiating together | 1 | 9 |
Tips & strategy
There are fixed phrases for each part: asking questions, talking about yourself, making suggestions. Learn a set by heart and you’ll speak more confidently.
Don’t answer with just one word. Speak in whole sentences and give a short reason with “weil”.
The exam is a conversation. Listen to your partner, answer their questions and ask your own.
In Part 1 you get a topic and keywords. Form questions with them and answer your partner’s questions.
In Part 3 you plan together. Make suggestions, respond to them and agree on a solution in the end.
If a word is missing, just say it differently or ask. What matters is that you stay in the conversation.
Useful phrases
Learn a set of phrases for the three parts:
- Asking questions (Part 1)
- Wie oft …? / Wann …? / Was machst du gern …? / Und du?
- Talking about yourself (Part 2)
- Bei mir ist das so: … / Ich … gern, weil … / Normalerweise …
- Making suggestions (Part 3)
- Wollen wir …? / Wie wäre es mit …? / Ich schlage vor, …
- Agreeing & deciding
- Gute Idee! / Einverstanden! / Das machen wir so.
- Asking back
- Was meinst du? / Und du? / Bist du einverstanden?
Common topics
The topics in the oral exam come from everyday life:
- Person & family
- name, job, family, hobbies
- Everyday life & leisure
- daily routine, weekend, sport, food
- Shopping & travel
- shop, holiday, means of transport
- Planning together (Part 3)
- organize a trip, a party, a shopping run
1-week study plan
- Day1Learn the format
Read this guide and look at an example of the oral exam: how do the three parts work?
- Day2Part 1 – ask questions
Practice asking questions on a topic using keywords and answering your partner’s questions.
- Day3Part 2 – talk about yourself
Practice talking about yourself and your life on a topic – in whole sentences with a reason.
- Day4Part 3 – plan together
Practice suggestions, responses and agreements. Plan a trip or a party with a partner.
- Day5Topics & vocabulary
Prepare vocabulary for common topics: family, leisure, shopping, travel.
- Day6Practice the full oral exam
Run through all three parts with a partner – ask questions, talk, plan.
- Day7Get feedback
Have your speaking graded – by a teacher or via a Prepliq mock that scores speaking automatically.
Are you ready?
- I can ask questions on a topic using keywords.
- I can answer my partner’s questions.
- I can talk about myself and my life.
- I can make suggestions and agree on a solution.
- I respond to my partner and ask back.
- I stay in the conversation even when a word is missing.
Frequently asked questions
How is the oral exam in the Goethe-Zertifikat A2 structured?
It has three parts: Part 1 (ask and answer questions on a topic), Part 2 (talk about yourself and your life) and Part 3 (plan something together). It lasts around 15 minutes, usually as a paired exam.
Do I take the oral exam alone or in a pair?
Usually in a pair with another candidate. In all parts you speak with your partner.
What do I have to do in Part 1?
You get a topic and keywords (cards). With them you ask your partner questions and answer their questions.
How is the oral exam graded?
You’re graded above all on whether you’re understood, whether you complete the task and respond to your partner. There are 25 points in total; to pass you need at least 15.
Which topics come up in the oral exam?
Simple everyday topics like person and family, leisure, shopping or travel. In Part 3 you plan something concrete together, e.g. a trip.
What’s the best way to practice the oral exam?
Practice asking questions, talking about yourself and planning together – ideally out loud and with a partner. At Prepliq you practice speaking with a mock that scores your answers automatically – because the PDF answer key does not cover speaking.