Goethe B1 · Sprechen
Goethe B1 Sprechen: the 3 parts and useful Redemittel
The Goethe B1 Sprechen (speaking) section lasts around 15 minutes, is worth 100 points, and requires 60 to pass. It has 3 parts and is taken in pairs, making it the one module where reading alone is not enough. The good news: the task formats are fixed and learnable.
This guide explains what happens in each of the 3 Teile, what examiners are actually assessing, which Redemittel to have ready for each part, and how to practise without a language school. Related guides: Lesen (5 Teile), the full Modelltest, all exercises, and the exam overview.
What is the Goethe B1 Sprechen module?
The Sprechen section is the oral component of the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 exam. It is taken in pairs, two candidates together with one or two examiners. If only one candidate is sitting, the examiner plays the partner role. The exam runs approximately 15 minutes in pairs, or about 10 minutes individually.
Before the exam starts, candidates receive around 15 minutes of preparation time. During that time, you receive the prompt card for Teil 2 (the presentation topic) and may make notes, but speaking out loud to practise is not permitted.
The module is worth 100 points. The pass threshold is 60 out of 100. Examiners assess fluency, interaction, vocabulary range, grammatical accuracy, and pronunciation, with fluency and interaction carrying the most weight.
The 3 Teile
Here is how the three parts break down at a glance:
| Teil | Task | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | Gemeinsam etwas planen, plan something together with your partner (e.g. organise a trip, a party, or a visit); make and respond to suggestions | ~2–3 min |
| Teil 2 | Ein Thema präsentieren, give a short structured presentation on an assigned everyday topic (introduce it, give personal experience, describe the situation in your country, weigh advantages/disadvantages, state your opinion) | ~3–4 min per candidate |
| Teil 3 | Über die Präsentation sprechen, give feedback on and ask a question about your partner's presentation; answer questions about your own | ~1–2 min |
Gemeinsam etwas planen
Both candidates receive the same scenario card with a shared task, for example: "You and a colleague want to organise a small farewell party for a team member. Decide together where to hold it, what food to bring, and what gift to give." The scenario is intentionally open so that both people have plenty to contribute.
This is a conversation, not a debate. You take turns suggesting, reacting, agreeing, politely pushing back, and eventually reaching a shared decision. Examiners want to hear both candidates interact, not one person dominate and the other nod.
Common mistake: agreeing too quickly and going silent. The examiners are listening for back-and-forth. Make a suggestion, then ask what your partner thinks. React to their ideas, even a brief Das klingt gut, aber vielleicht… shows you are engaging.
Ein Thema präsentieren
Each candidate receives a different topic card during preparation time. Topics are everyday B1 themes, for example: Reisen, Sport, Einkaufen, Technologie im Alltag, Gesundheit. The card specifies a five-point structure to follow:
- Introduce the topic
- Describe your personal experience with it
- Describe the situation in your home country
- Give advantages and disadvantages
- State your opinion and a conclusion
While one candidate presents, the other listens and makes notes, those notes are needed for Teil 3. Presentations are done back to back: candidate A presents, then candidate B presents.
Tip: use the five-point structure as a script. If you can say one or two sentences for each point, you fill the time and hit every assessment criterion. The topic is secondary, examiners are listening to how you speak, not judging the content of your opinions. An unpopular but clearly structured opinion scores higher than a popular opinion delivered incoherently.
Über die Präsentation sprechen
After each presentation, the other candidate gives a short feedback comment and asks one follow-up question. The original presenter then responds. The examiner may also ask a question.
This part tests active listening. A good feedback comment references something specific the presenter said. A good question invites expansion, avoid yes/no questions like Findest du Reisen gut? and prefer open questions like Wie würdest du… beschreiben?
Tip: prepare a couple of generic feedback openers and question starters in advance, see the Redemittel section below. You do not need to improvise under pressure; having the sentence starter ready means you only need to fill in the topic-specific detail.
Useful Redemittel for each part
Redemittel are the set phrases German speakers use to carry a conversation, for suggesting, structuring, agreeing, and wrapping up. Knowing them means there is always something to say, even when the specific vocabulary escapes you mid-sentence.
Teil 1, Gemeinsam etwas planen
| Function | Phrase |
|---|---|
| Making a suggestion | Wie wäre es mit…? / Ich schlage vor, dass wir… / Was hältst du davon, wenn wir…? |
| Agreeing | Das klingt gut. / Einverstanden. / Das ist eine gute Idee. |
| Politely disagreeing | Das ist eine gute Idee, aber… / Ich bin nicht sicher, ob… / Vielleicht wäre es besser, wenn… |
| Asking partner's opinion | Was meinst du dazu? / Hast du eine andere Idee? / Was schlägst du vor? |
| Reaching a decision | Also, sind wir uns einig? / Dann machen wir das so. / Gut, wir entscheiden uns für… |
Teil 2, Ein Thema präsentieren
| Structure point | Phrase |
|---|---|
| Introducing the topic | Heute möchte ich über… sprechen. / Mein Thema ist… / Ich werde etwas über… erzählen. |
| Personal experience | Ich habe selbst erlebt, dass… / Persönlich finde ich… / Bei mir ist es so, dass… |
| Situation in your country | In meinem Land ist es so, dass… / Bei uns ist… sehr verbreitet. / In [Land] wird… oft… |
| Advantages | Ein großer Vorteil ist… / Einerseits… / Das Positive daran ist… |
| Disadvantages | Andererseits… / Ein Nachteil ist jedoch… / Leider hat das auch Nachteile, zum Beispiel… |
| Opinion and conclusion | Meiner Meinung nach… / Ich bin der Meinung, dass… / Zusammenfassend möchte ich sagen… |
Teil 3, Über die Präsentation sprechen
| Function | Phrase |
|---|---|
| Opening feedback | Die Präsentation hat mir gut gefallen, besonders… / Ich fand es interessant, dass… |
| Asking a follow-up question | Ich würde gerne wissen, wie… / Kannst du mehr darüber sagen, warum…? / Was würdest du empfehlen, wenn…? |
| Answering a question | Das ist eine gute Frage. / Dazu möchte ich sagen, dass… / Ich denke, dass… |
How to practise Sprechen
Sprechen is the hardest module to practise alone, it requires another person by design. These strategies work whether or not you have access to a language school:
- Find a practice partner. Another B1 candidate is ideal. Use official Modellsatz topic cards: one person picks a Teil 2 topic, presents for 3–4 minutes, the other gives feedback and asks one question. Swap roles. Two sessions a week is enough to make the structure automatic.
- Record yourself on Teil 2. Choose a topic, set a 4-minute timer, and present out loud. Listen back: did you cover all five structure points? Were there long pauses? Could a listener follow the logic without seeing the card? Honest self-assessment here beats any class exercise.
- Learn Redemittel, not just vocabulary. A bigger vocabulary helps in Lesen. In Sprechen, set phrases matter more, they keep you talking when individual words escape you. Memorise the tables above until the openers come out automatically.
- React to your partner in Teil 1. Every suggestion you make should end with a question back, Was meinst du? Conversation collapses when one person does all the talking. Practise the habit until it feels natural, not forced.
- Run the full exam in one sitting. Teil 1, Teil 2, Teil 3 back to back without a break. On exam day you will be nervous, and the transitions between parts can catch people off-guard. Familiarity with the sequence removes one source of anxiety.
Sprechen practice on GoethéB1, coming soon. Interactive speaking exercises are currently in development. The Lesen Modelltest and written exercises are live now, start there while the Sprechen module is being built.
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Start free on GoethéB1FAQ: Goethe B1 Sprechen
How long is the Goethe B1 Sprechen exam?
The Sprechen section lasts approximately 15 minutes in pairs (or about 10 minutes individually) and is worth 100 points. There is also around 15 minutes of preparation time beforehand. The pass threshold is 60 out of 100, the same as every other B1 module.
What are the 3 Teile of the Goethe B1 Sprechen?
- Teil 1, Gemeinsam etwas planen: plan something with your partner by making and responding to suggestions (~2–3 min)
- Teil 2, Ein Thema präsentieren: give a short structured presentation on an everyday topic (~3–4 min per candidate)
- Teil 3, Über die Präsentation sprechen: give feedback on and ask a question about your partner's presentation; answer questions about yours (~1–2 min)
Can I take the Goethe B1 Sprechen exam alone?
The exam is normally taken in pairs. If only one candidate is sitting, the examiner may take the partner role, in which case the exam runs approximately 10 minutes instead of 15. Check with your local Goethe-Institut for the exact format at your sitting. Official information is at goethe.de.
What Redemittel should I learn for the Goethe B1 Sprechen?
For Teil 1 (planning): suggestion phrases like Wie wäre es mit…?, agreement like Einverstanden., polite objections like Das ist eine gute Idee, aber…. For Teil 2 (presentation): structuring phrases such as Heute möchte ich über… sprechen, Zunächst…, Andererseits…, Meiner Meinung nach…. For Teil 3 (feedback): openers like Die Präsentation hat mir gut gefallen and question starters like Kannst du mehr darüber sagen, warum…?. The full tables are in the Redemittel section above.
Is fluency or grammar more important in the Goethe B1 Sprechen?
Fluency and communication are weighted more heavily than perfect grammar. Examiners assess whether you can carry a conversation, react to your partner, and express yourself clearly, not whether every sentence is error-free. Aim for smooth responses with Redemittel rather than long pauses searching for the perfect word. Minor grammatical mistakes do not fail the exam; sustained silence and failure to interact do.
Last updated: 28 June 2026 · GoethéB1 is independent and not affiliated with the Goethe-Institut.