Preparing for the German oral exam B1 TELC, Goethe, ÖSD (AU) or Fide (CH) is very doable if you know how. This article will provice you with an approach that helps you prepare for your oral exam in German without the help of a tutor. You’ll use ChatGPT and I’ll show you how.
I’ll also provide you with a list of topics that have been used in the past and that will help to prepare yourself even though they will not be the topics you’ll get in your exam. The topics will be different from exam to exam but the range of topics is relatively limited. Here a list of very common topics for the mündliche Prüfung B1 provided by my students who have taken it in different countries and cities at TELC or Goethe Institut over the last 5 years.
Tips on How to Prepare Efficiently for Your German Oral Exam B1
Here also some top tips on how to use these to prepare efficiently for your German B1 oral exam at TELC or Goethe:
- You never have to tell the truth. If you simply can’t relate at all to a topic, make things up. E.g. you have no opinion or experience about extreme sports just say what’s common sense. Anything extreme is problematic and dangerous. I suggest a more moderate way to do sports. “common sense” is not always easy to grasp (see diverse internet comments if you doubt this) so cut yourself some slack to get into this kind of thinking. The exam is not about a truthful account of your experiences or personality at all!
- Smile be patient and friendly. Impatience and unfriendliness will cost you points that you need to pass.
- No one ever expects perfection in B1. I call B1 the elementary school level of intelligence. If you sound like a 10 year old intellectually that’s fine. You shall pass.
- Keep things simple. While boxed sentences, complex vocab or the occasional Nebensatz will give you bonus points, you don’t need (m)any of those to pass with 60%. Use one “weil” and one “dass” sentence (which the structure above provides already) and you’ll be fine. Expressing yourself in a simple manner needs practice. So practice.
- Assume that the examiners are on your side. They want you to pass (in 99% of the cases). If they are grumpy that isn’t related to you personally at all. You never know what caused their grumpiness. Rather feel compassion for them than being self-concsious. I promise it is never related to you unless you directly insult them.
- The oral exam is only 20mins long usually divided by 2 as you will have a partner in your exam and minus 2 mins instructions. That leaves your speaking time at about 9mins. At a max speaking speed of 80 words per minute you’ll only have to produce 720 words of which 50% will be repetitive words like articles and prepositions and such.
So, to pass the oral exam all you need to know is 360 different words. Admittedly they better be the right ones but all I wanted to show to you here is that you don’t have to have a very broad vocabulary to get through your B1 oral exam in German. - General advice: Even though it seems obvious: get enough sleep, eat light before the exam but don’t fast, arrive an hour earlier at the examination center and sit in front near the audio device they use (for the written parts of the exam).
Take a bottle of water with you and don’t forget your watch in case they don’t have a clock in the room. In the oral exam you won’t need your watch as time will pass by very quickly.
How to Prepare for Your German Exam By Yourself
Now here’s how to prepare efficiently for your B1 oral exam without having to pay a tutor:
For Presentation (TELC & Goethe)
Put this prompt into ChatGPT (free version suffices):
“You are an examiner in a German oral exam level B1. You follow the examination guidelines of Goethe and TELC institutions. I need to hold a 2minute presentation in German on level B1 CEFR about the topic below. Can you first provide me with a sample presentation that follows the following format:
– Was ist das Thema:
– In meinem Heimatland…
– Als Kind / in meinem Leben…
– Ein Vorteil / Nachteil von xy ist…
– Ich denke, dass man…
– Prompt me to say: Vielen Dank für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit. Haben Sie noch Fragen?
Write two short sentences per item of this list. Then prompt me one by one with these items and wait for my input.
When I’m closing the presentation with “haben Sie noch Fragen” continue to ask me three follow up questions to what I used in my presentation (priority) or simply questions related to the topic but about my personal life and attitude towards the topic.
Ask them one after the other. Wait until I’ve answered one question before posing the next question.
At the very end provide me with feedback on my performance in English in regard of the given level on whether or not I was close to the topic, about my grammar and sentence structure and about the level of my vocabulary. And finally give me a grade between 0% and 100% considering the language level b1 CEFR and the exam guidelines from Goethe and TELC.
The topic is: leben vegetarier gesünder? ← add your topic.”
If GPT says something in German that is too complex, give it the following instructions:
Das verstehe ich nicht. Einfacher bitte.
I don’t understand. Simpler please.
For Event Planning
Put this prompt into ChatGPT:
“You are an examiner in a German oral exam level B1. You follow the examination guidelines of Goethe and TELC institutions. I need to plan an event for about 3 minutes with a fellow examinee in German on level B1 CEFR about the topic below.
Ask me for the topic and after you received the topic start by providing me with a short summary of the situation (2–3 short simple sentences) asking me the first question to start off our event planning conversation.
After each response or question of mine, respond accordingly and always wait for my input. After about 7 sentences/questions of yours let’s come to an end whether the topic is concluded or not. Smoothly bring the conversation to an end.
After we are done provide feedback in English language – this is important – about my performance and grade it according to the examination guidelines and the level b1 CEFR in %.
Then restart the same conversation but with changed roles. I’ll now start the conversation off by providing a short summary of the situation and by asking you the first question. I will be the one that brings the conversation to an end. Not you.”
These prompts can help you get the most out of ChatGPT for your German learning. If you’d like more tips on how to learn German using unique resources, check out our series.
Possible Topics for your German B1 Oral Exam
Opinion / Presentation:
- Viele Leute essen Fertigmenüs
Many people eat ready meals - Essen und Trinken
Diet/food - Leben Vegetarier gesünder?
Do vegetarians live healthier? - Kann man auf Dating-Websites wirklich Liebe finden?
Can you really find love on Dating Websites? - Sollten sich sowohl Männer als auch Frauen um den Haushalt kümmern?
Should both men and women take care of household? - Leuten in der Freizeit helfen
Helping people in your free time - Mit 25 noch bei den Eltern leben
Still living with parents at 25 - Ist es einfach in einem fremden Land zu leben.
It is easy to live in a foreign country - ins Kino gehen oder Fernsehen
Go to the cinema or watch TV - Ist Social Media gut oder schlecht für uns?
Is social media good or bad for us? - Einkaufszentren: alles an einem Platz
Shopping centers: everything in one place - Sollten Großeltern Babysitten?
Should grandparents babysit? - Sollten Kinder alleine Entscheiden?
Should children decide alone? - Was denken Sie über Extremsport?
What do you think about extreme sports? - Wieviel Sport ist gesund
How much sport is healthy - Schuluniformen
School uniforms - Sollten Kinder Süßigkeiten essen?
Should children eat sweets? - Wieviel Fernsehen ist gut für Kinder?
How much television is good for children? - Geschwister oder Einzelkind? Was ist besser?
Sibling or only child? What is better?
Event Planning:
- Einen Ausflug in die Natur organisieren
Organize a trip to the nature - Eine Überraschungsparty zum Geburtstag planen
Plan a surprise birthday party - Party für Kollegen who moves away
Party für einen Kollegen, der wegzieht - Besuch planen – eine ausländische Studentengruppe kommt nach Berlin
Planning a visit – a foreign student group comes to Berlin - Ihr Deutschkurs ist zuende. Planen Sie eine Abschlussfeier.
Your German course is over. Plan a graduation ceremony. - Planen Sie ein Klassenpicknick
Plan a class picnic - Sie besuchen einen Klassenkameraden im Krankenhaus
You visit a classmate in the hospital - Gemeinsam ein Geburtstagsgeschenk für eine Freundin kaufen
Together buy a birthday gift for a friend
B1 German According to the Common European Framework
Reaching the (lower) intermediate level, denoted as B1 on the Common European Framework of Language’s scale, is a significant transition and marks your coming of age as an “independent user of the German language.” While there are still limitations, your expressions remain relatively straightforward compared to those of a native speaker. Your speaking skills largely center on common, everyday topics, and you may comprehend the main points of clear, moderately paced speech.
However, during your preparation, you will have covered a substantial portion of prevalent German grammatical patterns, aiming for a vocabulary of approximately 2,400 words. With an active command of these words and patterns, along with a passive understanding of others, you can confidently navigate most real-life situations while traveling.
Moreover, you’ll be able to articulate more extended phrases, delving beyond immediate situations or needs to discuss events, attitudes, and plans. The Goethe-Institute German B1 exam certificate holds significance in various life milestones, such as obtaining citizenship in the BRD and admission to a year-long Studienkolleg in Germany, preparing individuals to study any discipline at a German university.
We provide B1 preparation courses at SmarterGerman. So, if you’d like help, come check out our course!
Body Language
Success in a German oral examination goes beyond the mere choice of words and phrases as you answer the examiner’s questions. It extends to encompass your body language, eye contact, and overall demeanor, all of which are pivotal components of your speaking skills.
Maintain a confident posture, sitting upright while remaining calm and relaxed. Keep your hands folded on your lap, avoiding the placement of hands in your pockets.
Establish consistent eye contact with the teacher/examiner. Eye contact holds considerable importance in the context of oral exams. Failure to look at the examiner and speaking with a downward gaze is regarded as indicative of low self-confidence.
FAQs about passing the B1 German language exam
Here are some of the questions people ask about the oral B1 exam in German.
How long is the German oral exam?
The German oral exam typically lasts between 14 to 18 minutes, assessing speaking skills and covering main points from the topics you’re asked about.
How much is German oral worth?
The German oral exam holds significant weight, constituting 27 out of 32 points (83%) in the overall evaluation. Proficiency in speaking, eye contact, and effective communication is crucial.
Can I do B1 German by myself?
Yes, it is possible to prepare for the B1 German exam independently. Adequate preparation time, practice with a relevant word list, conversations, watching videos, and focusing on relevant vocabulary and grammar are key tips for success.
What does the B1 German test consist of?
The B1 German test consists of various components, including speaking, writing, and understanding. It assesses vocabulary, grammar, and the ability to communicate effectively in real-life situations.
How long does it take to get to B1 German?
The time to reach B1 proficiency in German varies, but with dedicated learning and practice, one can expect to achieve this level, covering the most frequent grammatical patterns and a vocabulary of around 2,400 words.
How long is the German B1 exam valid for?
The German B1 exam certificate, issued by the Goethe-Institut, is typically valid for an indefinite period and can be beneficial for citizenship applications in the BRD or admission to German universities.
Summing Up: How to Prepare for the German Oral Exam B1
Reaching the B1 level in German marks a crucial milestone in language proficiency. Our comprehensive guide equips learners with practical tips for self-preparation, emphasizing the significance of body language and efficient vocabulary usage.
The Goethe-Institute B1 certificate opens doors to citizenship and university admission, making this guide an essential resource for success. If you’d like to learn German in a structured, helpful way, come check us out at SmarterGerman!