Goethe B2 Sprechen: complete method to present and argue (2026)
Goethe B2 Sprechen is scary — 15 minutes in pairs with an examiner, on an abstract topic you don't know in advance. Many candidates competent in writing fail in speaking due to lack of method. This guide gives you the exact structure of the 2 Teile, the 40 argumentative connectors that raise your score, and a 4-week solo training plan to pass 60/100 without a physical partner.
- 2 Teile in 15 min + 15 min preparation, in pairs.
- Teil 1: 4-min presentation on a social topic.
- Teil 2: 5-min discussion in pairs on a social question.
- 4 criteria: Aufgabenerfüllung, Kohärenz, Wortschatz, Strukturen.
- 4-week plan solo to pass 60/100.
1. Goethe B2 Sprechen format
Sprechen is the 4th module of the Goethe B2 exam, taken on the same day as the written exams or separately. It lasts about 15 minutes in front of 2 examiners, in pairs with another candidate.
| Phase | Content | Duration | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Isolated room, topics Teil 1 + Teil 2 | 15 min | — |
| Teil 1 | Presentation of a social topic (each in turn) | ~4 min / candidate | 50 |
| Teil 2 | Discussion in pairs on a shared question | ~5 min in pairs | 50 |
| Total | — | ~15 min oral | 100 |
2. The 15 minutes of preparation — how to use them
The 15 minutes of preparation are the most underestimated factor in Sprechen B2. Well used, they earn 20 points. Poorly used (panic + disorganized draft), they lose the same amount.
| Time | Task | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 min | Calm reading of both topics (Teil 1 + Teil 2) | Overall understanding |
| 2-10 min | Structure Teil 1 presentation in 5 blocks | Written plan with keywords |
| 10-13 min | Prepare 3 pros + 3 cons for Teil 2 | Bullet-points list |
| 13-15 min | List 10 argumentative connectors to reuse | Visible cheat-sheet |
3. Teil 1 — Individual presentation (4 min)
Each candidate receives a social topic with 4 aspects to address (choose freely). Example typical topics:
- Digitalisierung im Arbeitsleben (digitalization of work)
- Umweltschutz im Alltag (environmental protection)
- Bildung und soziale Ungleichheit (education and social inequality)
- Gesunde Ernährung (healthy nutrition)
- Mobilität in der Stadt (urban mobility)
- Migration und Integration (migration and integration)
You must present the topic for ~4 minutes, addressing at least 3 of the 4 proposed aspects, and giving your personal opinion.
4. 5-block exposé structure (the key to 15/25 in Aufgabenerfüllung)
The following structure works for any topic. Repeat it mechanically during practice — it will become reflex.
| Block | Content | Duration | Template phrase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Introduction | Topic announcement + thesis | ~30 sec | "Ich möchte heute über X sprechen. Es ist ein wichtiges Thema, weil…" |
| 2. Pro argument | A positive aspect + example | ~60 sec | "Ein wichtiger Vorteil ist, dass… Zum Beispiel…" |
| 3. Con argument | A negative aspect + example | ~60 sec | "Auf der anderen Seite gibt es auch Nachteile…" |
| 4. Personal position | Argued opinion | ~60 sec | "Meiner Meinung nach… weil… Ich bin überzeugt, dass…" |
| 5. Conclusion + prompt | Summary + question to partner | ~30 sec | "Zusammenfassend kann man sagen, dass… Was denkst du dazu?" |
Applied example — Digitalisierung im Arbeitsleben
This structure guarantees ~35 points out of 50 for Teil 1 before even considering lexical richness. It's the non-negotiable foundation.
5. Teil 2 — Discussion in pairs (5 min)
After both presentations, a shared social question is proposed. The 2 candidates must debate it for about 5 minutes, listening to each other, reacting, giving their views.
Example discussion questions
- "Sollten Smartphones in der Schule verboten werden?"
- "Ist eine vegetarische Ernährung die Zukunft?"
- "Braucht Deutschland mehr Zuwanderung?"
- "Sollte man ein bedingungsloses Grundeinkommen einführen?"
Behaviours that raise your score
- React to your partner's statements — don't just chain a monologue. "Ich verstehe deinen Punkt, aber…"
- Ask questions — "Was hältst du davon, wenn…?"
- Nuance — "Einerseits… andererseits…"
- Concede then counter-argue — "Das stimmt zwar, allerdings…"
- Conclude together — "Wir sind uns also einig, dass…"
6. The 40 argumentative connectors to master
Connectors are the magic ingredient of Sprechen B2. Each well-placed connector earns points in Kohärenz + Strukturen. Memorize these 40 — they cover 95% of situations.
| Function | German connectors |
|---|---|
| Introduce a topic | Ich möchte über… sprechen · Es geht um… · Das Thema ist… |
| Add an argument | außerdem · zudem · darüber hinaus · nicht nur…, sondern auch… |
| Oppose | aber · jedoch · allerdings · dagegen · trotzdem · dennoch |
| Nuance | einerseits… andererseits · zwar…, aber… · teilweise · in gewisser Weise |
| Cause / consequence | deshalb · daher · aus diesem Grund · folglich · infolgedessen |
| Illustrate | zum Beispiel · beispielsweise · etwa · unter anderem |
| Give your opinion | meiner Meinung nach · ich bin der Ansicht, dass… · aus meiner Sicht · ich finde, dass… |
| React | das stimmt · da hast du recht · ich sehe das anders · ich bin anderer Meinung |
| Concede | zugegeben · natürlich · sicherlich · das mag sein, aber… |
| Conclude | zusammenfassend · abschließend · alles in allem · schließlich |
Practice speaking with Frau Roos, your AI tutor
The Deutsch Exam app includes Frau Roos, an AI tutor who gives you Sprechen B2 topics, listens to your presentation, and grades according to the 4 official criteria (Aufgabenerfüllung, Kohärenz, Wortschatz, Strukturen). Practice 15 min/day solo from your phone, without a partner.
7. The 4 official evaluation criteria
| Criterion | What is evaluated | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Aufgabenerfüllung | Task completion: structured presentation, argumentation, time management | 25 |
| Kohärenz | Discourse coherence: logical flow, connectors, transitions | 25 |
| Wortschatz | B2 lexical richness: abstract vocabulary, precision, variety | 25 |
| Strukturen | Grammar structures: subordinates, Konjunktiv II, passive, participles | 25 |
| Total | — | 100 |
Passing threshold: 60/100. So you just need 15/25 per criterion — an achievable goal with a good method. Since Sprechen is modular, if you fail, you can retake only this module.
8. The 4 traps to avoid in Sprechen B2
Trap #1 — Reading your draft
If the examiner sees you reading your draft word for word, they lower Aufgabenerfüllung and Kohärenz. Write only keywords, never full sentences.
Trap #2 — Monopolizing Teil 2
Teil 2 is a discussion, not a competitive debate. Aim for 50/50 speaking time. Asking your partner a question ("Was denkst du darüber?") is valued.
Trap #3 — Vocabulary too simple
If you use gut / schlecht / interessant 20 times, you'll plateau at 10/25 in Wortschatz. Enrich with: vorteilhaft, problematisch, nachvollziehbar, bemerkenswert, umstritten, sinnvoll, fragwürdig.
Trap #4 — Freezing on a mistake
Making a grammar mistake barely counts (B2s make them). Freezing to correct it for 10 seconds counts a lot (bad fluency). Continue, rephrase if needed, but don't stop your flow.
9. 4-week solo training plan
| Week | Focus | Daily goal |
|---|---|---|
| W1 | 5-block exposé structure — memorize | 2 recorded 4-min presentations/day |
| W2 | The 40 connectors — automate | Use minimum 10 connectors per presentation |
| W3 | Teil 2 — discussion (play both roles) | 1 x 5-min discussion/day + critical self-listen |
| W4 | 3 full Sprechen mock tests (Teil 1 + Teil 2) | Target score ≥ 65/100 on final test |
Solo resources (100% free)
- Modellsatz Goethe B2 — 2 official Sprechen topics on goethe.de
- YouTube "Deutsch B2 Sprechen" — candidate examples + examiner comments
- Deutschlandfunk podcasts — listen to native debates to absorb argumentative structures
- Phone recorder — 90% of the work is here: hearing yourself and correcting
- Frau Roos / Deutsch Exam — random topic + AI feedback on the 4 official criteria
To complete your Goethe B2 preparation, check our guides Hören B2 — the 3 traps, Lesen B2 method and Schreiben B2 structure. For choosing TELC B2 vs Goethe B2, see our complete comparison.
Sources and references
- Official Goethe-Zertifikat B2 page — goethe.de
- Prüfungsziele und Testbeschreibung Goethe B2 (official PDF)
- Fit fürs Goethe-Zertifikat B2 — Hueber Verlag
- Klett Sprachen — Prüfungstraining Goethe B2
Last verified: July 27, 2026.