telc German B2 – Oral Expression (Speaking)
In Oral Expression – the speaking exam – you speak in three parts, usually in pairs with a partner. Here are the structure, useful phrases, topics and examples for each part.
As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format
Key takeaways
- The speaking exam has 3 parts and lasts around 15 minutes – usually as a paired exam.
- Part 1: present · Part 2: discuss a topic · Part 3: solve a problem together.
- Beforehand you get around 20 minutes of preparation time. 75 points in total.
Overview
Oral Expression – the speaking exam – is the last part of the telc B2 exam. You speak in three parts, usually in pairs with another candidate. The exam lasts around 15 minutes; beforehand you get about 20 minutes of preparation time. In total you can earn 75 points.
It tests whether you can express yourself coherently and in a differentiated way at B2 level: present a topic, justify your opinion, respond to counter-arguments and negotiate a solution together. It’s not about perfect grammar, but about fluent, well-structured speaking and responding to your partner.
The three parts call for three abilities: in Part 1 you give a short presentation and answer questions about it, in Part 2 you discuss a controversial topic and exchange arguments, in Part 3 you solve a task together (e.g. plan something) and reach an agreement. Fixed phrases help you speak confidently in each part.
Very doable with phrases and practice. More demanding than at B1: you have to present, argue and respond to counter-arguments – not just talk about yourself.
The parts at a glance
| Part | Task type | Focus | Tasks | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 – Presentation | Presentation | Presenting | 1 | 25 |
| Part 2 – Discussion | Discussion | Arguing | 1 | 25 |
| Part 3 – Problem-solving | Problem-solving | Negotiating & agreeing | 1 | 25 |
Tips & strategy
You have around 20 minutes of preparation. Structure your presentation (Part 1) and note arguments and phrases – but don’t learn a whole text by heart.
Part 1 is a short presentation (around 90 seconds). Structure it: introduction, two or three points, conclusion. A clear structure looks confident.
In Part 2 an opinion isn’t enough – justify it and weigh up (“einerseits … andererseits”). Respond to your partner’s arguments.
The exam is a conversation. Ask follow-up questions, refer to your partner’s statements and disagree politely when you see it differently.
In Part 3 you solve a task together. Make proposals, respond to them, weigh up and agree on a solution at the end.
If a word escapes you, paraphrase it or ask. What matters is that you stay in the conversation and keep speaking fluently.
Useful phrases
Learn a fixed set of phrases for the three parts:
- Presenting (Part 1)
- Ich möchte über … sprechen. / Zunächst … / Ein weiterer Punkt ist … / Zusammenfassend …
- Opinion & argument (Part 2)
- Meiner Ansicht nach … / Dafür spricht, dass … / Einerseits …, andererseits … / Ich bin überzeugt, dass …
- Agreeing & disagreeing
- Da stimme ich Ihnen zu. / Das sehe ich anders, weil … / Das mag sein, aber …
- Proposals (Part 3)
- Ich würde vorschlagen, … / Wie wäre es, wenn wir …? / Wir könnten … / Sollen wir …?
- Negotiating & agreeing
- Einverstanden. / Das ist ein guter Kompromiss. / Dann halten wir fest: …
Common topics
The presentation, discussion and planning topics come from everyday life and society:
- Work & career
- work-life balance, working from home, further training
- Environment & mobility
- climate protection, transport, consumption
- Health & lifestyle
- nutrition, sport, stress
- Media & digitalization
- social media, internet, data protection
- Planning together (Part 3)
- organize an event, plan a project, solve a problem
1-week study plan
- Day1Learn the format
Read this guide and look at an example of the speaking exam: how do the presentation, discussion and problem-solving run?
- Day2Part 1 – present
Practice short presentations (around 90 seconds) on everyday topics. Structure: introduction, points, conclusion – and practice answering follow-up questions.
- Day3Part 2 – discuss
Practice justifying and weighing up your opinion on a controversial topic. Learn phrases for agreeing and disagreeing politely.
- Day4Part 3 – solve a problem
Practice proposals, responses and compromises. Plan something with a partner and reach an agreement.
- Day5Topics & vocabulary
Prepare vocabulary and arguments for common topics: work, environment, health, media.
- Day6Practice the full speaking 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 scores speaking automatically.
Are you ready?
- I can give a short, clearly structured presentation on a topic.
- I can answer follow-up questions about my presentation fluently.
- I can state my opinion on a topic and justify it with arguments.
- I can respond to counter-arguments and disagree politely.
- I can make proposals and negotiate a compromise with my partner.
- I stay in the conversation even when a word escapes me.
Frequently asked questions
How is the telc B2 speaking exam structured?
It has three parts: Part 1 (presentation and questions about it), Part 2 (discussing a topic) and Part 3 (solving a problem together). It lasts around 15 minutes, usually as a paired exam.
Do I take the speaking exam alone or in a pair?
Usually in a pair with another candidate (paired exam). In Parts 2 and 3 you talk to each other.
Do I get preparation time?
Yes. Before the speaking exam you have around 20 minutes to structure your presentation and note arguments and phrases – but not to memorize a whole text.
How long is the presentation in Part 1?
The actual presentation should last around 90 seconds. Afterwards you answer questions from your partner about it.
How is the speaking exam assessed?
Above all on fluent and coherent speaking, fulfilling the task, arguing and responding to your partner, and accuracy. There are 75 points in total.
Which topics come up in the speaking exam?
Factual and social topics like work, the environment, health or media. In Part 3 you solve a concrete task together, e.g. planning an event.
What’s the best way to practice the speaking exam?
Practice short presentations, gather arguments on many topics and speak with a partner regularly. At Prepliq you practice speaking with a mock that scores your answers automatically against the official criteria – the PDF answer key doesn’t cover speaking.