TELC B1 Sprechen: The Paired Oral Exam in 3 Teile
telc B1 Sprechen is a paired exam: you speak with another candidate across three short tasks, after a preparation phase of about 20 minutes. Because it is interactive, the biggest difference between a pass and a strong score is how well you respond to your partner — not how polished your solo German is.
Updated 2026-05-24
Exam overview
| Teil | Activity | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 — Kontaktaufnahme | Making contact | Introduce yourself, ask your partner questions, build rapport |
| Teil 2 — Thema diskutieren | Discussing a topic | Present and discuss a given topic, give and react to opinions |
| Teil 3 — Gemeinsam planen | Planning together | Plan a shared activity with your partner, negotiate and agree |
Teil 1 — Kontaktaufnahme
You open contact with your partner: a short self-introduction and a few questions to get to know each other. It is a warm-up, but it still counts.
- ›Prepare two or three reliable questions you can ask anyone (work, hobbies, languages).
- ›Listen to the answer and react ("Ach, interessant — und seit wann …?") rather than firing the next question.
- ›Keep it natural and friendly; this part rewards genuine interaction.
Teil 2 — Thema diskutieren
You present and discuss a given topic, stating your view and responding to your partner. This is where you show range — opinions, reasons, and the ability to build on what the other person says.
- ›State your opinion clearly, then give a reason and an example.
- ›Use opinion phrases: "Meiner Meinung nach …", "Ich finde, dass …", "Das sehe ich anders, weil …".
- ›React to your partner — agree, disagree, or build on their point.
Teil 3 — Gemeinsam planen
Together you plan a shared activity — an outing, an event, a solution to a problem. The examiner is looking for negotiation: making suggestions, responding to your partner's, and reaching agreement.
- ›Make concrete proposals: "Wollen wir … ?", "Ich schlage vor, dass …".
- ›Respond to your partner's ideas before adding your own.
- ›Drive toward a decision — end with a clear agreed plan.
Using the preparation time
You get about 20 minutes to prepare before the exam. Use it to plan content and recall phrases, not to write a script you will read aloud.
- ›Jot keywords and a few strong phrases for each part — not full sentences.
- ›Decide your opinion and one or two reasons for the discussion topic.
- ›Prepare a couple of proposals for the planning task so you can lead if needed.
How it is scored
The oral exam is worth 75 of the 300 total points, and you must reach at least 60% of it (45 points) to pass — independently of your written score. Examiners assess task fulfilment, interaction, fluency, vocabulary, and accuracy.
How to practise (even alone)
The real exam is paired, but you can build the content and timing on your own by recording yourself for each task and reviewing the result. Practising aloud — not just in your head — is what builds fluency.
- ›Record a 2–3 minute response for each Teil, then listen back for filler and hesitation.
- ›Drill opinion and negotiation phrases until they come automatically.
- ›Time yourself so the length feels natural under exam pressure.
Frequently asked questions
How is the telc B1 speaking exam structured?
It is a paired exam with three parts: Teil 1 Kontaktaufnahme (making contact), Teil 2 Thema diskutieren (discussing a topic), and Teil 3 Gemeinsam planen (planning together).
How much preparation time do you get for telc B1 Sprechen?
About 20 minutes before the oral exam. Use it to plan content and recall phrases rather than to write a full script.
How is telc B1 speaking scored?
The oral exam is worth 75 of the 300 total points, and you need at least 60% (45 points) to pass it — separately from the written part, which cannot compensate for a weak oral score.
Can I practise telc B1 speaking on my own?
Yes. Although the real exam is paired, you can prepare the content and timing by recording yourself for each task and reviewing it. Practising aloud is essential for fluency.
Start practising
TELC B1 Sprechen