Published 19 September 2026
If you’re preparing for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1, the speaking module is often the part that causes the most nerves. The good news is that Goethe B1 speaking topics follow a fixed format: three tasks, with the same structure every time. Once you know how each task works and have practised it out loud, you can walk into the exam knowing what to expect.
This guide covers the Goethe B1 Sprechen Themen for each part of the exam: the official sample tasks, practice topics in the same style, a full model presentation, the key phrases (Redemittel) you need, and the mistakes that cost candidates points.
One thing to know first: Goethe does not publish the topics you will get on the day. It publishes official sample tasks, and this guide uses those alongside practice topics written in the same style.
How the Goethe B1 speaking exam works
The B1 Sprechen exam is usually taken in pairs and lasts about 15 minutes. In exceptional cases it is taken alone and lasts about 10. Before it starts you get 15 minutes to prepare on your own. You can make bullet-point notes and use them during the exam, but you are expected to speak freely rather than read a script. Dictionaries and mobile phones are not allowed, and your partner is assigned at random.
After a short introductory chat of about a minute, which is not marked, the exam has three parts:
- Teil 1 – Gemeinsam etwas planen: you and your partner plan something together (about 2–3 minutes).
- Teil 2 – Ein Thema präsentieren: you present one of two topics (about 3–4 minutes each).
- Teil 3 – Über ein Thema sprechen: you react to your partner’s presentation, give feedback, ask a question, and answer questions about your own presentation (about 1–2 minutes each).
Two examiners take part. One leads the conversation, and the other gives feedback and asks a question in Teil 3. Both score you separately, and your result is the average of the two. The timings above come from the Goethe-Institut’s official regulations for the B1 exam, dated September 2025.
How Goethe B1 Sprechen is marked
You can earn up to 100 points and need 60 to pass. A score of 60–69 counts as ausreichend, 70–79 as befriedigend, 80–89 as gut and 90–100 as sehr gut. The official marking sheet splits the points like this:
| Part | Points | What is assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 | 28 | Task completion (8), interaction (4), vocabulary (8), structures (8) |
| Teil 2 | 40 | Task completion (12), coherence (4), vocabulary (12), structures (12) |
| Teil 3 | 16 | Task completion: feedback, your question and your answers |
| Pronunciation | 16 | Across all three parts: sentence melody, word stress, individual sounds |
Task completion matters more than it looks. If an examiner scores it at zero for a task, that whole task earns zero points, however good your German is. Check the current version in the official practice set, since formats are occasionally updated.
Goethe B1 Sprechen Teil 1: Gemeinsam etwas planen
In Teil 1 you get a scenario and a few guiding points, such as when, where, how to get there and what to bring. Teil 1 is a conversation, not a speech: make suggestions, react to your partner’s ideas, disagree politely, and reach a decision together.
Official Teil 1 tasks
Goethe’s own materials show what these scenarios look like:
- The model test: a course-mate is in hospital after an accident. You plan a visit with a gift from the whole group, and how to help him when he goes home, because he lives alone.
- The practice set: you have won a week-long language course in Cologne for two people. You plan the trip together: when to go, how to get there, where to stay and what to take.
Practice scenarios in the same style
You won’t know your scenario in advance, so practise a range of everyday planning tasks like these:
- Planning a birthday party for a friend or colleague
- Organizing a farewell party for a colleague who is leaving
- Planning a weekend trip or class excursion
- Helping a friend move to a new apartment
- Buying a group present for someone
- Organizing a cooking evening or picnic
Example dialogue
A: Unsere Kollegin Maria hat nächste Woche Geburtstag. Wollen wir zusammen eine kleine Feier organisieren?
B: Gute Idee! Wie wäre es mit Freitagnachmittag?
A: Freitag ist gut, aber am Nachmittag habe ich einen Termin. Können wir uns um 17 Uhr treffen?
B: Einverstanden. Ich schlage vor, dass wir im Büro feiern.
A: Das finde ich nicht so gut, weil es dort zu eng ist. Was hältst du vom Café gegenüber?
Notice that both speakers suggest, react, and give reasons. That interaction is exactly what the examiners are listening for.
Useful Redemittel for Teil 1
- Making suggestions: Wie wäre es mit …? / Ich schlage vor, dass … / Wir könnten …
- Agreeing: Das ist eine gute Idee. / Einverstanden. / Da hast du recht.
- Disagreeing politely: Das finde ich nicht so gut, weil … / Ich habe eine andere Idee.
- Concluding: Also, dann machen wir es so. / Gut, dann haben wir alles geplant.
Goethe B1 Sprechen Teil 2: presentation topics
Teil 2 is worth the most points (40 of 100), so it deserves the most preparation. You choose one of two topics and present it in about three minutes, following five “slides” (Folien) that give your talk its structure.
Official Teil 2 topics
The official model test offers a choice between two questions: Brauchen Kinder Mobiltelefone? and Sehen Kinder zu viel fern? Both are everyday questions with two sides, which is what to expect.
German B1 presentation topics to practise
Don’t try to memorise answers. Practise one flexible structure until you can apply it to any everyday question. These practice topics are written in the style of the exam:
- Einkaufen im Internet oder im Geschäft?
- Sollte jeder eine Fremdsprache lernen?
- Leben in der Stadt oder auf dem Land?
- Sollten Kinder ein eigenes Handy haben?
- Homeoffice: Vorteile und Nachteile
- Haustiere in der Wohnung
- Soziale Medien im Alltag
- Bio-Lebensmittel: Lohnt sich das?
- Urlaub allein oder mit Freunden?
- Sollten junge Erwachsene bei ihren Eltern wohnen?
- Nebenjobs für Schüler und Studenten
How to structure your Goethe B1 presentation
Every Teil 2 presentation follows the same five-slide pattern:
- Introduce the topic and explain the content and structure of your talk.
- Describe your situation or an experience connected with the topic.
- Describe the situation in your home country, with examples.
- Give advantages and disadvantages, plus your own opinion and examples.
- End your presentation and thank the audience.
Model answer: Goethe B1 Sprechen Teil 2 Präsentation Beispiel
Here is a model answer for the topic Einkaufen im Internet oder im Geschäft?
Folie 1 – Einleitung: Ich möchte heute über das Thema „Einkaufen im Internet oder im Geschäft?” sprechen. Zuerst erzähle ich von meinen persönlichen Erfahrungen. Dann berichte ich über die Situation in meinem Heimatland. Danach nenne ich Vor- und Nachteile und sage meine Meinung.
Folie 2 – Persönliche Erfahrungen: Ich kaufe Kleidung und Bücher oft online, weil das schnell und bequem ist. Letztes Jahr habe ich aber Schuhe bestellt, die zu klein waren. Die Rücksendung hat fast zwei Wochen gedauert.
Folie 3 – Situation im Heimatland: In meinem Heimatland kaufen immer mehr junge Leute im Internet ein. Ältere Menschen gehen aber lieber in Geschäfte oder auf den Markt, weil sie die Produkte sehen und anfassen möchten.
Folie 4 – Vor- und Nachteile und Meinung: Ein großer Vorteil ist, dass man rund um die Uhr einkaufen und Preise leicht vergleichen kann. Ein Nachteil ist, dass man die Ware vorher nicht anprobieren kann. Meiner Meinung nach ist Online-Shopping praktisch für Bücher oder Technik, aber Kleidung kaufe ich lieber im Geschäft.
Folie 5 – Abschluss: Zum Schluss möchte ich sagen: Beide Möglichkeiten haben Vor- und Nachteile. Vielen Dank für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit.
This model is short on purpose. A real Teil 2 presentation runs three to four minutes, so expect to say roughly twice as much, with a second reason or example on each slide.
It shows what a solid answer looks like: clear connectors, one real example and a clear opinion. The marking sheet rewards both range and control, so vary your sentence structures and vocabulary, and keep any errors from getting in the way of understanding.
Useful Redemittel for Teil 2
- Structuring: Zuerst … / Dann … / Danach … / Zum Schluss …
- Experience: Ich habe die Erfahrung gemacht, dass … / Bei mir ist es so, dass …
- Home country: In meinem Heimatland ist es üblich, dass …
- Opinion: Meiner Meinung nach … / Ich finde, dass … / Ich bin der Meinung, dass …
Goethe B1 Sprechen Teil 3: Fragen stellen und Feedback geben
In Teil 3 you listen to your partner’s presentation, then give short feedback and ask a question. Your partner does the same for you, and the second examiner also gives feedback and asks a question about your talk.
Goethe’s instructions suggest saying, for example, how you liked the presentation and what was new or especially interesting for you. A strong response has three parts: thank your partner, say something specific you liked, and ask a relevant question. For example:
Vielen Dank für Ihre interessante Präsentation. Mir hat besonders gut gefallen, dass Sie ein Beispiel aus Ihrem Leben erzählt haben. Ich habe eine Frage: Kaufen Sie auch Lebensmittel im Internet?
When you’re asked a question, answer in two or three full sentences and give a reason. A one-word answer wastes the chance to earn points.
Goethe B1 speaking exam tips: how to pass
These are the habits that separate candidates who pass from those who fall short:
- Use your preparation time wisely. Write keywords for each slide, not full sentences. Goethe’s instructions say you should speak freely, and only your bullet-point notes are allowed.
- Interact in Teil 1. Candidates often lose points by talking in turns without reacting. Respond to what your partner says before adding your own idea.
- Always give reasons. Weil and deshalb are your best friends at B1 level. An opinion without a reason is only half an answer.
- Cover all five slides in Teil 2. The marking sheet counts the slides you handle properly, so every slide you skip lowers your task-completion score.
- Don’t neglect pronunciation. It is worth 16 points across all three parts, and it covers sentence melody, word stress and individual sounds.
- Practise out loud with a timer. Three minutes feels very different when you’re speaking. Record yourself and listen back for pauses and pronunciation.
- Don’t panic about mistakes. Examiners expect B1 errors. The criteria ask whether errors get in the way of understanding, so correct yourself calmly and keep going.
For Goethe B1 speaking practice, use the official model test and practice set with a partner. Swap roles, time yourselves, and practise each topic list above at least once.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Goethe B1 speaking exam?
About 15 minutes for two candidates, or about 10 minutes for a single candidate, plus 15 minutes of preparation time. According to Goethe’s regulations, Teil 1 takes about 2–3 minutes, Teil 2 about 3–4 minutes per candidate and Teil 3 about 1–2 minutes per candidate, after a one-minute introductory chat.
How is Goethe B1 Sprechen marked?
The speaking module is scored out of 100 points, and you need at least 60 to pass. Two examiners score you separately and your result is the average. Teil 1 is worth 28 points, Teil 2 is worth 40, Teil 3 is worth 16, and pronunciation adds 16 more.
How can I pass the Goethe B1 speaking exam?
Learn the fixed structure for each task, especially the five-slide presentation in Teil 2. Practise topics out loud with a timer, always give reasons for your opinions, and react actively to your partner in Teil 1.
How should I prepare for Goethe B1 speaking?
Start by studying the official Goethe-Institut model test to understand the format. Then practise the Teil 1 scenarios and Teil 2 presentation topics, learn key Redemittel, and do full mock exams with a partner or teacher.
What happens if my speaking partner is weak?
Pairs are assigned at random, so you can’t choose your partner. Each candidate is scored individually, by two examiners, on their own performance. Stay patient, ask simple questions to keep the conversation going, and focus on showing your own ability to suggest, react and explain.
Can I take only the speaking part of the Goethe B1 exam?
Yes. The Goethe-Zertifikat B1 has four modules, which can be taken individually or in combination, and modules can be repeated as often as your exam centre allows. Check with your centre, as registration rules and fees vary by location.
Conclusion
Goethe B1 speaking topics vary from exam to exam, but the format never does. Teil 1 tests how well you plan and negotiate with a partner, Teil 2 rewards a clear five-slide presentation with personal examples and an opinion, and Teil 3 checks that you can listen, give feedback, and ask a sensible question.
Focus on structure over memorisation, practise the themes out loud, and always give reasons. With steady, realistic practice, the speaking module can become your strongest part of the exam.
If you’d like to rehearse the paired task against the marking criteria with a tutor, see our Goethe B1 preparation lessons or German lessons. Not sure where to start? Contact us and book a free trial lesson.