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.
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Key takeaways
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.
| 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 |
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.
Try this section in the real exam format and find out how confident you are before exam day.
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Learn a fixed set of phrases for the three parts (kept in German):
The discussion and planning topics come from everyday life:
Read this guide and look at an example of the oral exam: how do the three parts work?
Practice introducing yourself and talking about your job, hobbies and daily life. Collect phrases and follow-up questions.
Practice giving and justifying your opinion on a topic. Learn phrases for agreeing and disagreeing.
Practice suggestions, reactions and agreements. Plan a party or a trip with a partner.
Prepare vocabulary for common topics: leisure, travel, housing, health.
Run through all three parts with a partner – with preparation time and under real conditions.
Have your speaking assessed – by a teacher or via a Prepliq mock that grades speaking automatically.
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.
Usually in a pair with another candidate. In Parts 2 and 3 you speak with each other.
Yes. Before the oral exam you have about 20 minutes to note keywords and phrases – but not to memorize a whole text.
It mainly assesses fluent and coherent speaking, completing the task, responding to your partner and correctness. There are 75 points in total.
Everyday topics like leisure, travel, housing or health. In Part 3 you plan something concrete together, e.g. a party or a trip.
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.
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.
Practice this exam section in the official format and see what needs more attention before the real test.
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