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
Practice the same format you’ll see on exam day, get your score against official criteria, and see where you still need work.
Free to try · No account needed
Key takeaways
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.
| 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 |
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.
Try this section in the real exam format and find out how confident you are before exam day.
Free to try · No account needed
Learn a fixed set of phrases for the three parts:
The presentation, discussion and planning topics come from everyday life and society:
Read this guide and look at an example of the speaking exam: how do the presentation, discussion and problem-solving run?
Practice short presentations (around 90 seconds) on everyday topics. Structure: introduction, points, conclusion – and practice answering follow-up questions.
Practice justifying and weighing up your opinion on a controversial topic. Learn phrases for agreeing and disagreeing politely.
Practice proposals, responses and compromises. Plan something with a partner and reach an agreement.
Prepare vocabulary and arguments for common topics: work, environment, health, media.
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 scores speaking automatically.
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.
Usually in a pair with another candidate (paired exam). In Parts 2 and 3 you talk to each other.
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.
The actual presentation should last around 90 seconds. Afterwards you answer questions from your partner about it.
Above all on fluent and coherent speaking, fulfilling the task, arguing and responding to your partner, and accuracy. There are 75 points in total.
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.
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.
Practice this exam section in the official format and see what needs more attention before the real test.
Free to try · No account needed