--- title: "telc C1 Speaking Exam: Parts 1 & 2, Examples & Tips" description: "Speaking exam of the telc German C1: both parts explained – presentation and discussion with consensus-finding. Structure, useful phrases, topics and examples." canonical: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/speaking" url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/speaking.md" locale: "en" provider: "TELC" level: "C1" alternates: de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/telc-deutsch-c1/sprechen.md" en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/speaking.md" fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/telc-allemand-c1/expression-orale.md" it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/telc-tedesco-c1/parlato.md" es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/telc-aleman-c1/expresion-oral.md" --- # telc German C1 – Oral Expression (Speaking) > Speaking exam of the telc German C1: both parts explained – presentation and discussion with consensus-finding. Structure, useful phrases, topics and examples. ## Key takeaways - The speaking exam has 2 parts and lasts around 16 minutes – usually as a paired exam. - Part 1: give a presentation · Part 2: discuss and find a consensus together. - Beforehand you get around 20 minutes of preparation time. 48 points in total. Oral Expression – the speaking exam – is the last part of the telc C1 exam. You speak in two parts, usually in pairs with another candidate. The exam lasts around 16 minutes; beforehand you get about 20 minutes of preparation time. In total you can earn 48 points. It tests whether you can express yourself in a differentiated and almost effortless way at C1 level: present a topic in a structured way, respond to questions, argue in a discussion, address counter-arguments and reach a result together. It’s about fluent, well-structured speaking and genuine interaction with your partner. The two parts call for two abilities: in Part 1 you give a short presentation (around 5 minutes) on a topic and then answer questions. In Part 2 you discuss a topic or quote with your partner and try to reach a consensus together. Fixed phrases help you speak confidently in both parts. - Parts: 2 - Tasks: 2 - Points: 48 - Time: 16 min - to pass: ~60 % - Difficulty: hard (4/5) ## The parts at a glance - [Part 1 – Presentation](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/speaking/part-1) — Presentation · Presenting · 1 Tasks · 24 Points. In Part 1 you give a clearly structured presentation on a topic and then answer questions about it. Here’s how to structure it with assurance. - [Part 2 – Discussion & consensus](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/speaking/part-2) — Discussion & consensus · Arguing & negotiating · 1 Tasks · 24 Points. In Part 2 you discuss a topic with your partner and try to reach a consensus together. Here’s how to argue and agree. ## Tips & strategy - **Use the preparation time:** 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. - **Structure the presentation clearly:** Part 1 is a presentation of around 5 minutes. Structure it clearly: introduction, several points with examples, conclusion. A clear structure looks assured. - **Argue in a differentiated way:** In Part 2 an opinion isn’t enough – justify it, weigh up (einerseits/andererseits) and engage with your partner’s arguments. - **Engage with your partner:** Speak above all with your partner, not with the examiner. Listen, refer to their statements and disagree politely. - **Find a consensus together:** In Part 2 you should reach a result. Make suggestions, weigh up and agree on a common position or solution at the end. - **Keep speaking fluently:** If a word escapes you, paraphrase it. What matters is that you speak fluently and coherently and stay in the conversation. ## Useful phrases Learn a fixed set of phrases for the two parts: - **Presenting (Part 1)** — Ich möchte über … sprechen. / Zunächst gehe ich auf … ein. / Ein weiterer Aspekt ist … / Abschließend … - **Opinion & argument (Part 2)** — Meiner Ansicht nach … / Dafür spricht, dass … / Einerseits …, andererseits … / Ich bin überzeugt, dass … - **Agreeing & disagreeing** — Da gebe ich Ihnen recht. / Das sehe ich anders, weil … / Das mag zutreffen, allerdings … - **Finding consensus (Part 2)** — Können wir uns darauf einigen, dass …? / Ein guter Kompromiss wäre … / Dann halten wir fest, dass … - **Asking back** — Wie sehen Sie das? / Was meinen Sie dazu? / Sind Sie einverstanden? ## Common topics The presentation and discussion topics come from society, education and current affairs: - **Education & university** — studying, lifelong learning, educational opportunities - **Work & society** — the world of work, work-life balance, change - **Technology & digitalization** — AI, social media, data protection - **Environment & sustainability** — climate protection, consumption, mobility - **Culture & media** — media consumption, culture, language ## Free practice exercises - [Deutsche Welle – Learn German](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/overview) — Free videos and discussion topics for advanced learners. - [DW – Top-Thema mit Vokabeln](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/top-thema/s-55861562) — Current factual topics with vocabulary – ideal as arguments for the discussion. ## 1-week study plan - Day 1 – **Learn the format:** Read this guide and look at an example of the speaking exam: how do the presentation and discussion run? - Day 2 – **Part 1 – present:** Practice presentations of around 5 minutes on various topics. Structure clearly and practice answering follow-up questions. - Day 3 – **Part 2 – discuss:** Practice justifying your opinion on a thesis, weighing up and engaging with counter-arguments. - Day 4 – **Find consensus:** Practice with a partner reaching a common result at the end of a discussion. - Day 5 – **Topics & vocabulary:** Prepare vocabulary and arguments for common topics: education, work, technology, environment. - Day 6 – **Practice the full speaking exam:** Run through both parts with a partner – with preparation time and under real conditions. - Day 7 – **Get feedback:** Have your speaking assessed – by a teacher or via a Prepliq mock that scores speaking automatically. ## Are you ready? - I give a clearly structured presentation of around 5 minutes. - I answer follow-up questions about my presentation in a differentiated way. - I argue in a discussion and engage with counter-arguments. - I disagree politely and with reasons. - I reach a common consensus with my partner. - I speak fluently and coherently, even when a word escapes me. ## Frequently asked questions ### How is the telc C1 speaking exam structured? It has two parts: Part 1 (presentation and questions about it) and Part 2 (discussion with consensus-finding). It lasts around 16 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 Part 2 you discuss with each other. With an odd number, an individual or three-person exam is also possible. ### 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 presentation lasts around 5 minutes. 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 engaging with your partner, and accuracy. There are 48 points in total. ### Which topics come up in the speaking exam? Demanding factual and social topics like education, work, technology or the environment. In Part 2 you often discuss a quote or thesis and look for a consensus. ### What’s the best way to practice the speaking exam? Practice presentations, gather arguments on many topics and discuss regularly with a partner. 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. ## Ready for the exam? [Practice this part on Prepliq](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1?action=start§ionId=Oral%20Expression) ## Other exam parts - [Leseverstehen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/reading) - [Sprachbausteine](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/sprachbausteine) - [Hörverstehen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/listening) - [Schriftlicher Ausdruck](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/writing) [telc German C1 – Oral Expression (Speaking)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/speaking)