Goethe-Zertifikat B1 – 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 (plus ~15 min of preparation).
- Part 1: plan something together · Part 2: give a presentation · Part 3: respond to the presentation.
- Each module is scored out of 100 points; to pass you need 60 of 100.
Overview
Speaking – the oral exam – is the fourth module of the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 exam. You speak in three parts, usually in a pair with another candidate. Beforehand you have about 15 minutes of preparation. The exam itself lasts around 15 minutes.
It tests whether you can plan something together in everyday life, present freely on a topic and respond to a partner. It’s not about perfect grammar, but about being understood well, speaking coherently and keeping the conversation going.
The three parts call for three skills: in Part 1 you plan something together (e.g. an event) and reach agreement, in Part 2 you give a short presentation on a topic, in Part 3 you give your partner feedback on their presentation and ask a question. Fixed phrases help you.
The tasks are close to everyday life, but the presentation calls for free, coherent speaking. Very doable with useful phrases and practice.
The parts at a glance
| Part | Task type | Focus | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 – Plan together | Planning conversation | Negotiating together | 1 | 28 |
| Part 2 – Presentation | Presentation | Presenting | 1 | 40 |
| Part 3 – Feedback | Feedback & question | Responding to a presentation | 1 | 32 |
Tips & strategy
There are fixed phrases for each part: making suggestions, presenting, giving feedback. Learn a set by heart and you’ll speak more confidently.
You have about 15 minutes before the exam. Note keywords for your presentation and ideas for the planning.
Don’t answer with just one sentence. Connect your thoughts with “weil”, “deshalb”, “zum Beispiel” and speak in several sentences.
The exam is a conversation. Listen to your partner, respond to their suggestions and presentation and ask questions.
In Part 1 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 paraphrase it. What matters is that you stay in the conversation.
Useful phrases
Learn a set of phrases for the three parts:
- Planning (Part 1)
- Wollen wir …? / Wie wäre es mit …? / Ich schlage vor, … / Einverstanden!
- Presenting (Part 2)
- Mein Thema ist … / Zuerst … / Aus meiner Heimat kenne ich … / Meine Meinung dazu ist …
- Feedback (Part 3)
- Deine Präsentation war interessant. / Mir hat gefallen, dass … / Ich habe eine Frage: …
- Asking back & agreeing
- Was meinst du? / Bist du einverstanden? / Gut, dann machen wir das so.
Common topics
The topics in the oral exam come from everyday life and society:
- Planning together (Part 1)
- organize a party, trip, farewell party, surprise
- Presentation topics (Part 2)
- travel, media, nutrition, shopping, festivals
- Aspects of the presentation
- own experience · situation in your home country · pros and cons · own opinion
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 – plan together
Practice suggestions, responses and agreements. Plan a party or a trip with a partner.
- Day3Part 2 – build a presentation
Learn the structure of a presentation: introduce the topic, own experience, home country, pros and cons, opinion.
- Day4Part 2 – practice presenting
Give a short presentation on various topics – freely and coherently.
- Day5Part 3 – feedback & questions
Practice giving feedback on a presentation and asking a question about it.
- Day6Practice the full oral exam
Run through all three parts with a partner – plan, present, respond.
- Day7Get feedback
Have your speaking graded – by a teacher or via a Prepliq mock that scores speaking automatically.
Are you ready?
- I can plan something together with a partner and reach agreement.
- I can give a short presentation on a topic.
- I build my presentation clearly (topic, experience, opinion).
- I can give feedback on a presentation.
- I can ask a question about my partner’s presentation.
- I stay in the conversation even when a word is missing.
Frequently asked questions
How is the oral exam in the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 structured?
It has three parts: Part 1 (plan something together), Part 2 (give a presentation on a topic) and Part 3 (respond to your partner’s presentation). It lasts around 15 minutes, usually as a paired exam, with about 15 minutes of preparation.
Do I take the oral exam alone or in a pair?
Usually in a pair with another candidate. In Parts 1 and 3 you speak with your partner, in Part 2 you give your own presentation.
Do I get preparation time?
Yes. Before the exam you have about 15 minutes to note keywords for your presentation and ideas for the planning.
How is the oral exam graded?
You’re graded above all on intelligibility, task completion, coherent speaking, vocabulary and correctness. Each module is scored out of 100 points; to pass you need 60.
Which topics come up in the presentation?
Everyday and social topics like travel, media, nutrition or festivals. You talk about your experience, the situation in your home country, pros and cons and your opinion.
What’s the best way to practice the oral exam?
Practice planning together, presenting and responding – 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.