--- title: "Goethe C2 Speaking: Presentation & Discussion" description: "Speaking (Sprechen) in the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (GDS): both parts – give a presentation and discuss. Structure, useful phrases, topics and examples." canonical: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/speaking" url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/speaking.md" locale: "en" provider: "Goethe" level: "C2" alternates: de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/goethe-zertifikat-deutsch-c2/sprechen.md" en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/speaking.md" fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/goethe-zertifikat-allemand-c2/expression-orale.md" it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/goethe-zertifikat-tedesco-c2/parlato.md" es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/goethe-zertifikat-aleman-c2/expresion-oral.md" --- # Goethe-Zertifikat C2 – Speaking (Sprechen) > Speaking (Sprechen) in the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (GDS): both parts – give a presentation and discuss. Structure, useful phrases, topics and examples. ## Key takeaways - The oral exam has 2 parts and lasts around 15 minutes (plus 15 minutes of preparation). - Part 1: give a ~5-minute presentation · Part 2: hold a discussion. - Each module is scored out of 100 points; to pass you need 60 of 100. Speaking – the oral exam – is the fourth module of the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 exam (GDS). It has two parts and lasts around 15 minutes. Beforehand you have 15 minutes of preparation for both parts; in the exam you speak freely. It tests whether you can present on a topic at the highest level and defend your position convincingly in a discussion. It’s about a clear structure, demanding language (vocabulary and structures), a clear personal stance and the ability to argue in a differentiated way and convince. The two parts call for two skills: in Part 1 (production) you give a roughly five-minute presentation on a self-chosen topic, weigh up different standpoints and then answer questions. In Part 2 (interaction) you hold a discussion, defend your position with examples and try to convince your counterpart. - Parts: 2 - Tasks: 2 - Points: 100 - Time: 15 min - to pass: ~60 % - Difficulty: very hard (5/5) ## The parts at a glance - [Part 1 – Presentation](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/speaking/part-1) — Presentation · Structured & demanding presenting · 1 Tasks · 50 Points. In Part 1 you give a ~5-minute presentation on a self-chosen topic and then answer questions. Here’s how to build it and speak convincingly. - [Part 2 – Discussion](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/speaking/part-2) — Discussion · Convincing discussion · 1 Tasks · 50 Points. In Part 2 you hold a discussion on a controversial topic. Here’s how to defend your position and try to convince. ## Tips & strategy - **Structure the presentation clearly:** In Part 1 you need a clear structure, weigh up different standpoints and make your personal stance clear. Learn a fixed structure. - **Use the preparation time:** You have 15 minutes of preparation for both parts. Note keywords and examples for presentation and discussion. - **Use demanding language:** At C2 differentiated vocabulary and complex structures count. Vary your language and avoid simple repetitions. - **Convince in the discussion:** Part 2 is interaction. Defend your position with examples, engage with the arguments and try to convince. - **Argue with examples:** Support your positions with concrete examples. That makes your argument convincing and vivid. - **Speak freely and fluently:** Don’t read out – use your notes only as a support. Free, coherent and fluent speaking is expected at C2. ## Useful phrases Learn a demanding set of phrases for both parts: - **Structuring (Part 1)** — Mein Vortrag gliedert sich in … / Zunächst … / Daran anschließend … / Abschließend … - **Weighing up standpoints** — Auf der einen Seite … auf der anderen Seite … / Während die einen … betonen, … / Dem ist entgegenzuhalten, … - **Stance (Parts 1 & 2)** — Meine Position dazu ist eindeutig: … / Ich bin fest davon überzeugt, dass … / Aus meiner Sicht überwiegt … - **Convincing (Part 2)** — Bedenken Sie doch, dass … / Genau hier liegt der entscheidende Punkt: … / Lässt sich das nicht auch so sehen, dass …? ## Common topics The topics in the oral exam are demanding and socially relevant: - **Presentation topics (Part 1)** — home, globalization, new media, education, values - **Discussion topics (Part 2)** — controversial questions, e.g. the future of print media, pro/contra - **Aspects** — weighing up standpoints · giving examples · personal stance · convincing ## Free practice exercises - [Die Zeit](https://www.zeit.de/) — Demanding debates and essays as models for argument and phrases. - [Deutschlandfunk](https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/) — Discussions and lectures as models for free, differentiated speech. ## 1-week study plan - Day 1 – **Learn the format:** Read this guide and look at an example of the oral exam: how do presentation and discussion work? - Day 2 – **Part 1 – build a presentation:** Learn the structure of a presentation: opening, weighing up standpoints, examples, personal stance, conclusion. - Day 3 – **Part 1 – practice presenting:** Give a ~5-minute presentation on various topics – free, structured and with demanding language. - Day 4 – **Part 2 – gather arguments:** Gather arguments and examples for controversial questions and practice convincing. - Day 5 – **Part 2 – practice discussing:** Discuss with a partner: defend your position, engage with arguments, convince. - Day 6 – **Practice the full oral exam:** Run through both parts – presentation and discussion. - Day 7 – **Get feedback:** Have your speaking graded – by a teacher or via a Prepliq mock that scores speaking automatically. ## Are you ready? - I can structure a ~5-minute presentation clearly. - I can weigh up different standpoints and make my stance clear. - I can engage with follow-up questions about the presentation. - I can defend my position with examples in a discussion. - I can engage with arguments and try to convince. - I use demanding language and speak freely and fluently. ## Frequently asked questions ### How is the oral exam in the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 structured? It has two parts: Part 1 (production – give a ~5-minute presentation and answer questions) and Part 2 (interaction – hold a discussion). It lasts around 15 minutes, with 15 minutes of preparation. ### Do I give the presentation alone? Yes. In Part 1 you give your presentation alone and answer questions afterwards. In Part 2 you hold a discussion with your examiner or a partner. ### Do I get preparation time? Yes, 15 minutes for both parts. You prepare alone and may make notes. In the exam you should speak freely. ### How is the oral exam graded? You’re graded above all on task completion, pronunciation, demanding vocabulary, correctness and interaction. Each module is scored out of 100 points; to pass you need 60. ### Which topics come up? Demanding, socially relevant topics such as home, new media or the future of print media. In Part 1 you choose a topic, in Part 2 you discuss a controversial question. ### What’s the best way to practice the oral exam? Practice structured presenting and convincing discussion – 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. ## Ready for the exam? [Practice this part on Prepliq](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2?action=start§ionId=Oral%20Expression) ## Other exam parts - [Lesen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/reading) - [Hören](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/listening) - [Schreiben](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/writing) [Goethe-Zertifikat C2 – Speaking (Sprechen)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/speaking)