B1Skill focusMay 10, 2026 · 4 min read
The Goethe B1 Speaking Exam: What to Expect
The Sprechen module is short but intense. Here are its three parts, how the pairing works, and how to prepare so you speak with confidence.
The B1 speaking module has a stable published structure. It lasts about 15 minutes for two candidates, usually takes place in pairs and includes 15 minutes of preparation time.
The three parts
- Part 1, Plan something together: with your partner, organise an activity (a trip, a party, a visit). Make suggestions, agree and disagree politely, and reach a decision.
- Part 2, Present a topic: choose one of two task sheets and give a short, structured presentation that includes your experience and opinion.
- Part 3, Discuss the topic: respond briefly to your partner's presentation and ask or answer a follow-up question.
How to prepare
- Learn a bank of useful phrases (Redemittel) for suggesting, agreeing, disagreeing and presenting.
- Practise speaking out loud every day, even alone; fluency comes from the mouth, not the page.
- Record yourself and listen back for filler words and long pauses.
- Do not memorise whole speeches; memorise structures you can fill with any topic.
Practise the published three-part structure until the sequence feels familiar. Then you can spend the exam responding to your partner and expressing your ideas instead of wondering what comes next.