telc B1 speaking – the oral exam in detail
The telc B1 oral exam is a paired exam: you usually take it together with another candidate. The whole exam lasts about 15 minutes and is assessed by two examiners. Beforehand you get 20 minutes of preparation time to make notes on the tasks. There are 75 points in total; you pass the oral exam with 45 points, independently of the written exam. The oral exam usually takes place on the same day as the written exam, but sometimes on a different date.
Part 1 – Getting to know each other (Einander kennenlernen, approx. 3 minutes, 15 points)
In the first part, you and your partner introduce yourselves and ask each other questions: where you come from, where you live, your family, your job, your languages and how you are learning German. This part shows that you can hold a simple everyday conversation in both directions. Prepare a few sentences about yourself, but don’t learn a text by heart – speak naturally. Practise Part 1 with typical questions →
Part 2 – Talking about a topic (Über ein Thema sprechen, approx. 6 minutes, 30 points)
In the second part, you and your partner each get your own task sheet on the same topic. It shows a short opinion – in telc’s official practice test, for example, about group travel. You tell each other what your sheet says and then discuss the topic: with your own opinion, your own experiences and follow-up questions. Typical topics come from everyday life: travel, health, free time, media, the environment or work. Unlike the Goethe exam, there is no presentation here – Part 2 is a conversation. Practise Part 2 with topics and phrases →
Part 3 – Planning something together (Gemeinsam etwas planen, approx. 6 minutes, 30 points)
In the third part, you plan something together with your partner – for example a party, an outing or a present. You get points to discuss: When? Where? What do you need? Who does what? This part shows that you can take an active part in a conversation, make suggestions, respond to suggestions and find compromises. Interaction is what counts: ask questions, react to your partner and agree on a plan together. Practise Part 3 with a dialogue plan →
Assessment criteria
Each part is assessed on four criteria, each with a band from A to D: Ausdrucksfähigkeit (range of expression: suitable vocabulary and phrases), Aufgabenbewältigung (task completion: doing the task and responding to your partner), Formale Richtigkeit (accuracy: sentence structure and forms) and Aussprache und Intonation (pronunciation and intonation). Part 1 is worth up to 15 points, Parts 2 and 3 up to 30 each. Perfect German is not the goal – what matters is that you make yourself understood and keep the conversation going.
Exam format checked on 31 October 2026 against telc’s official practice test 1 (in German). GermanUp is independent and not affiliated with telc.
Preparation tips
- Practise regularly with a language partner or in front of a mirror
- Learn useful phrases: „Ich schlage vor, dass …“, „Was meinst du?“, „Ich bin der Meinung, dass …“
- Speak loudly and clearly – confidence counts
- Record yourself speaking so you can spot your mistakes
- Stay calm and friendly, even if you are nervous