Goethe B1 Sprechen: The Paired Speaking Exam in 3 Teile
Goethe B1 Sprechen is a paired exam built around three tasks: planning something together, giving a short presentation, and discussing it. The presentation is the centrepiece, but the two interactive tasks reward something you cannot fake on exam day — the ability to listen and respond. Preparing the structure of each part is what separates a confident pass from a nervous one.
Updated 2026-05-24
Exam overview
| Teil | Activity | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 — Gemeinsam planen | Joint planning | Plan a shared activity with your partner; suggest, respond, agree |
| Teil 2 — Präsentation | Individual presentation | Give a short presentation on a given topic using a prompt |
| Teil 3 — Diskussion | Discussion | React to each other's presentations; answer follow-up questions |
Teil 1 — Gemeinsam planen
You and your partner plan something together — an outing, a party, a welcome for a guest. The examiner watches how you make suggestions, react to your partner, and reach a shared decision.
- ›Make concrete proposals: "Wollen wir … ?", "Ich schlage vor, dass …", "Wie wäre es mit … ?".
- ›Respond to your partner's idea before adding your own — agreement and negotiation score points.
- ›Aim for a clear final plan; do not leave the task open.
Teil 2 — Präsentation
Each candidate gives a short individual presentation on an assigned topic, usually working from a prompt with structure points. This is the most rehearsable part of the exam — a reliable structure carries you through.
- ›Use a clear frame: introduce the topic, give your experience, weigh advantages and disadvantages, state your opinion, and close.
- ›Signpost with connectors: "Zuerst …", "Außerdem …", "Auf der einen Seite … auf der anderen Seite …", "Zusammenfassend …".
- ›Speak to your partner and examiner, not your notes — keywords only.
Teil 3 — Diskussion
After the presentations, you discuss them: ask your partner a question, respond to theirs, and handle follow-up questions from the examiner. This part tests spontaneous interaction.
- ›Prepare one or two questions to ask about your partner's topic.
- ›Use reaction phrases: "Das ist ein guter Punkt, aber …", "Ich stimme zu, weil …".
- ›It is fine to ask for clarification ("Wie meinst du das?") — that is natural interaction, not weakness.
Using the preparation time
You receive preparation time before the exam. Use it to plan content and recall phrases — not to write a script you will read aloud, which sounds unnatural and loses interaction marks.
- ›Sketch keywords for your presentation, not full sentences.
- ›Decide your opinion and one or two reasons for the discussion.
- ›Note a couple of proposals for the planning task so you can lead if your partner is quiet.
How it is scored
Sprechen is one of the four Goethe B1 modules, scored out of 100 points; you pass with at least 60 points (60%). Examiners assess task fulfilment, interaction, fluency and coherence, vocabulary, and accuracy. Because modules are independent, you can pass Sprechen on its own.
How to practise (even alone)
The real exam is paired, but you can build the content and timing yourself by recording each task and reviewing it. Speaking aloud — not rehearsing silently — is what develops fluency.
- ›Record your presentation on three different topics using the same skeleton.
- ›Listen back for filler words, long pauses, and repeated vocabulary.
- ›Drill planning and discussion phrases until they are automatic.
Frequently asked questions
How is the Goethe B1 speaking exam structured?
It is a paired exam with three parts: Teil 1 Gemeinsam planen (planning together), Teil 2 Präsentation (an individual presentation), and Teil 3 Diskussion (discussing the presentations).
Do you get preparation time for Goethe B1 Sprechen?
Yes, you receive preparation time before the exam. Use it to plan content and recall useful phrases rather than to write out a full script.
What score do you need to pass Goethe B1 Sprechen?
Sprechen is scored out of 100 points like the other modules, and you need at least 60 points (60%) to pass. Because the exam is modular, you can pass Sprechen independently.
Can I prepare for Goethe B1 speaking on my own?
Yes. The real exam is paired, but you can build the content and timing by recording yourself for each task and reviewing it. Practising aloud is essential for fluency.
Start practising
Goethe B1 Sprechen