Goethe A1 Sprechen: the speaking test, Teil 1 to 3, with examples

You sit with up to three other candidates and two examiners. The examiner explains each part and shows an example first, so you always know what to do. The test takes about 15 minutes for the whole group, and there is no preparation time between the parts.

The examiners mark how well you are understood, not how perfect your grammar is. A short sentence with a small mistake still earns points; silence doesn't. Teil 2 and Teil 3 carry more marks than Teil 1, so keep going after your introduction.

In Teil 1 you introduce yourself using keywords on a sheet: Name, Alter (age), Land (country), Wohnort (where you live), Sprachen (languages), Beruf (job) and Hobby. Say one simple sentence for each. Then the examiner asks you to spell a word, such as your name or city, and to say a number, such as your phone number.

Practise spelling your name and city with German letter names until it is automatic. The tricky ones for Urdu speakers are E ("ay"), I ("ee"), J ("yot"), V ("fow"), W ("vay") and Z ("tset"). For numbers, remember that German says the ones before the tens: 21 is einundzwanzig, "one-and-twenty".

In Teil 2 everyone gets cards with a topic and one word. You make a question with your word and ask the next person, who answers. Then someone asks you a question and you answer. The topic stays the same for the whole round.

Keep questions short. A yes/no question starts with the verb (Kaufst du …?). A question with a question word puts the verb straight after it (Was machst du …?). Urdu puts the verb at the end, so this is the most common mistake to fix before the exam.

In Teil 3 the cards show pictures instead of words. You ask someone to do something or to give you something, based on your picture, and they respond. Polite forms such as "Kannst du bitte …?" or "Ich möchte …, bitte" work for almost every card.

When you respond, a short answer is enough: "Ja, gern.", "Natürlich." or "Tut mir leid, das geht nicht." What matters is that the request and the answer fit the picture.

Asking for help is normal and doesn't cost you points. Saying nothing does.

• Say your Teil 1 introduction out loud every day until you can say it without thinking.
• Make 10 questions on common topics (food, family, free time, shopping, travel) and answer them.
• Practise requests with everyday objects at home: pen, glass of water, door, window, phone.
• Record yourself and listen back for verb position and pronunciation.
• Watch the official sample video in the Goethe A1 practice materials.

Speaking is easier with a partner. In our A1 German course online you practise Teil 1–3 one-to-one and in mock speaking tests, with extra practice in small groups that are separate for women and men. For the other parts of the exam, see the Goethe A1 Schreiben (writing) guide and the Goethe A1 exam guide.