telc German B1 – Mündlicher Ausdruck (Speaking)
In the oral exam (mündliche Prüfung) you speak in three parts, usually in a pair with a partner. Here are the structure, useful phrases (Redemittel), topics and examples for each part.
As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format
Key takeaways
- The oral exam has 3 parts and lasts about 15 minutes – usually a paired exam.
- Part 1: talk about yourself · Part 2: discuss a topic · Part 3: plan something together.
- You get 20 minutes of preparation beforehand. 75 points in total.
Overview
Oral expression – the mündliche Prüfung – is the last part of the telc B1 exam. You speak in three parts, usually in a pair with another candidate. The exam lasts about 15 minutes; beforehand you have 20 minutes of preparation. You can earn 75 points in total.
It tests whether you can communicate in everyday situations: talk about yourself, give and justify an opinion, and reach a solution together. It’s not about perfect grammar but about fluent, coherent speaking and reacting to your partner.
The three parts call for three skills: in Part 1 you introduce yourself and talk about everyday topics, in Part 2 you discuss a topic and exchange opinions, in Part 3 you plan something together (e.g. a party or a trip) and reach agreement. Fixed phrases help you speak confidently in each part.
Very doable with fixed phrases and a little practice. The most common hurdle isn’t grammar but speaking freely and fluently and reacting to your partner.
The parts at a glance
| Part | Task type | Focus | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 – Introductions | Conversation / introductions | Talking about yourself | 1 | 15 |
| Part 2 – Discuss a topic | Discussion | Giving an opinion | 1 | 30 |
| Part 3 – Plan together | Planning conversation | Negotiating together | 1 | 30 |
Tips & strategy
You have 20 minutes to prepare. Note keywords and suitable phrases for each part – but don’t memorize a whole text.
Each part has fixed phrases: introducing yourself, giving an opinion, making suggestions, agreeing. Learn one set by heart and you’ll speak more confidently.
A memorized text sounds unnatural and rarely fits exactly. Speak freely and react to what your partner says.
The exam is a conversation. Ask follow-up questions (“Und du?”, “Was meinst du?”) and refer to your partner’s statements.
In Part 3 you plan together. Make suggestions, react to them and agree on a solution at the end.
If a word is missing, paraphrase it or ask. What matters is staying in the conversation and not getting stuck.
Useful phrases (Redemittel)
Learn a fixed set of phrases for the three parts (kept in German):
- Talking about yourself (Part 1)
- Ich heiße … / Ich komme aus … / Ich arbeite als … / In meiner Freizeit …
- Giving an opinion (Part 2)
- Meiner Meinung nach … / Ich finde, dass … / Ich stimme dir zu / Das sehe ich anders.
- Making suggestions (Part 3)
- Wie wäre es, wenn wir …? / Sollen wir …? / Ich schlage vor, …
- Agreeing & settling
- Gute Idee! / Einverstanden! / Das machen wir so.
- Asking back
- Was meinst du? / Und du? / Bist du einverstanden?
Common topics
The discussion and planning topics come from everyday life:
- Leisure & hobbies
- sport, music, going out
- Travel & holidays
- destinations, transport, accommodation
- Housing & city/country
- where you live, neighbors, pros and cons
- Health & food
- sport, eating, a healthy daily routine
- Planning together (Part 3)
- organize a party, plan a trip, buy a present
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 – talk about yourself
Practice introducing yourself and talking about your job, hobbies and daily life. Collect phrases and follow-up questions.
- Day3Part 2 – give an opinion
Practice giving and justifying your opinion on a topic. Learn phrases for agreeing and disagreeing.
- Day4Part 3 – plan together
Practice suggestions, reactions and agreements. Plan a party or a trip with a partner.
- Day5Collect topics
Prepare vocabulary for common topics: leisure, travel, housing, health.
- Day6Practice the full oral exam
Run through all three parts with a partner – with preparation time and under real conditions.
- Day7Get feedback
Have your speaking assessed – by a teacher or via a Prepliq mock that grades speaking automatically.
Are you ready?
- I can introduce myself and talk freely about my daily life.
- I give my opinion on a topic and justify it.
- I respond to my partner and ask follow-up questions.
- I make suggestions and agree on a joint solution.
- I know phrases for all three parts by heart.
- I stay in the conversation even when a word is missing.
Frequently asked questions
How is the telc B1 oral exam structured?
It has three parts: Part 1 (introductions – talk about yourself), Part 2 (discuss a topic) and Part 3 (plan something together). It lasts about 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 Parts 2 and 3 you speak with each other.
Do I get preparation time?
Yes. Before the oral exam you have about 20 minutes to note keywords and phrases – but not to memorize a whole text.
How is the oral exam graded?
It mainly assesses fluent and coherent speaking, completing the task, responding to your partner and correctness. There are 75 points in total.
Which topics come up in the oral exam?
Everyday topics like leisure, travel, housing or health. In Part 3 you plan something concrete together, e.g. a party or a trip.
What’s the best way to practice the oral exam?
Speak with a partner regularly and learn phrases for all three parts. At Prepliq you practice speaking with a mock that grades your answers automatically against the official criteria – the PDF answer key doesn’t cover speaking.
What if I’m alone (no partner)?
If there’s no even number of candidates, the exam can also be a single exam with an examiner. The three parts work the same way.