TELC B1 Mündlich: the 3 parts explained + model phrases (2026)
TELC B1 oral lasts 15 minutes in pairs and is prepared with 20 minutes of notes. Three Teile — introduce yourself, talk about a theme, plan together — for 75 points total. Well-prepared, this module scores 60+/75. This guide gives you the task-by-task format, 30 template phrases to memorize, partner management and a 4-week practice plan.
- 15 min in pairs + 20 min individual preparation.
- 3 Teile: introduce yourself, talk about a theme, plan together.
- Scored on 75 points, threshold 45/75.
- The partner is assigned — your oral partly depends on their level.
- 30 template phrases + 4-week practice plan included.
1. TELC B1 oral format
The TELC B1 Mündliche Prüfung takes place afternoon or next morning after the written part. It lasts 15 minutes in pairs with another candidate, before 2 examiners (one who animates, one who scores). You don't choose your partner — assigned on exam day.
| Stage | Duration | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Individual preparation | 20 min | Reading prompts, note-taking Teil 2 and Teil 3 |
| Teil 1 — Sich vorstellen | ≈ 3 min | Each candidate introduces themselves to examiner (1.5 min each) |
| Teil 2 — Über ein Thema sprechen | ≈ 6 min | Each candidate talks about a theme (3 min each) + brief discussion |
| Teil 3 — Gemeinsam etwas planen | ≈ 6 min | Pair dialogue to plan a common task |
| Total exam | ≈ 15 min | Scored on 75 points |
For the overview of the 5 TELC B1 modules, see our TELC B1 structure guide. For comparison with Goethe B1, see our exam comparison.
2. Teil 1 — Sich vorstellen (3 minutes)
Teil 1 is the easiest and most « predictable » part. You introduce yourself for about 1.5 minutes facing the examiner, then your partner does the same. The examiner may ask 1 or 2 clarification questions.
The 7 points to cover in your presentation
- First and last name — Ich heiße [Vorname] [Name].
- Age — Ich bin [X] Jahre alt.
- Nationality and city — Ich komme aus [Land] und wohne in [Stadt].
- Profession or studies — Ich bin [Beruf] / studiere [Fach].
- Family (short) — Ich bin verheiratet / ledig, ich habe [X] Geschwister.
- Hobbies — In meiner Freizeit spiele ich Fußball / lese ich gerne.
- Why you're learning German — Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Deutschland arbeiten / studieren möchte.
3. Teil 2 — Über ein Thema sprechen (6 minutes)
Teil 2 is the most discriminating module of the oral. Each candidate draws a theme and must talk about it for 3 minutes. Unlike Goethe B1 (5 imposed slides), TELC leaves a free structure — you build your speech.
Recommended structure for talking about a theme
- Introduction (20 sec) — announce theme and plan.
- Your general opinion (30 sec) — what you think about the subject.
- Argument 1 + personal example (45 sec).
- Argument 2 + personal example (45 sec).
- Conclusion (20 sec) — synthesis and opening.
The 10 most recurring themes
- Social media (useful / dangerous)
- Sport and health
- Environment and ecology
- Family vs friends travel
- Food habits (organic, vegetarian)
- Living in city vs countryside
- Learning foreign languages
- Remote work vs in-office
- Reading habits (books vs digital)
- Active vs restful vacation
Many of these themes also come up at Goethe B1 — see our 15 Goethe B1 Sprechen topics with model answers for inspiration.
Record yourself and get evaluated by AI
The Deutsch Exam app offers real Teil 1, 2 and 3 scripts in TELC B1 format. Record yourself, AI transcribes and evaluates on official criteria. Ideal when you don't have a native practice partner. 100 % free.
4. Teil 3 — Gemeinsam etwas planen (6 minutes)
Teil 3 is an equal-parts dialogue with your partner to plan a common task. Typical prompts: organize a birthday party, prepare a trip, choose a gift, plan a night out. You must discuss and agree on 4-5 concrete points.
The 5 most frequent Teil 3 topics
- Organize a birthday party — decide location, guests, food, gift, date.
- Plan a weekend — destination, transport, accommodation, activities, budget.
- Choose a common gift — type of gift, budget, where to buy, who brings it.
- Organize a night out — restaurant, cinema, activity, time, return.
- Prepare an event — end-of-year party, friend's wedding, farewell gathering.
Expected rhythm
Across the 6 minutes of Teil 3, you must make 6 to 10 interventions (one every 30-60 seconds). Each ideal intervention = proposal + justification + question to your partner. Example:
Ich schlage vor, dass wir die Party bei mir zu Hause machen. Meine Wohnung ist groß genug für 15 Personen. Was denkst du, oder hast du eine bessere Idee?
« I propose we have the party at my place. My apartment is big enough for 15 people. What do you think, or do you have a better idea? »
5. Scoring on 75 points
TELC B1 oral is scored globally on 75 points. Indicative breakdown:
| Teil | Points | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Teil 1 — Sich vorstellen | 15 | Fluency, pronunciation, coverage of 7 points |
| Teil 2 — Über ein Thema sprechen | 30 | Structure, argument richness, vocabulary, partner reaction |
| Teil 3 — Gemeinsam etwas planen | 30 | Interaction, negotiation, connectors, adaptation ability |
Passing threshold: 45/75 (60 %). Unlike other modules, TELC oral has a specific constraint: if you score less than 45 points at oral, you fail the whole exam even if your written total exceeds 180/300. Oral is the only module with an independent minimum.
6. Differences with Goethe B1 Sprechen
| Criterion | TELC B1 | Goethe B1 |
|---|---|---|
| Total duration | 15 min | 15 min |
| Individual preparation | 20 min | 15 min |
| Scoring | 75 points (module) | 100 points (module) |
| Teil 1 | Self-introduction (solo) | Plan together (pair) |
| Teil 2 | Talk about a theme (free structure) | 5-slide imposed presentation |
| Teil 3 | Plan together (pair) | Feedback on partner's presentation |
Strategic impact. TELC B1 Mündlich is more « conversational » than Goethe (less rigid format, more interaction). Favors candidates comfortable with spontaneous dialogue, less those who prefer imposed structures.
7. 30 template phrases to memorize
Self-introduction (Teil 1) — 6 phrases
- Ich heiße [Vorname] und bin [Alter] Jahre alt.
- Ich komme aus [Land], wohne aber jetzt in [Stadt].
- Von Beruf bin ich [Beruf] / Ich studiere [Fach] an der Universität.
- Ich habe [X] Geschwister und bin ledig / verheiratet.
- In meiner Freizeit lese ich gerne / mache ich Sport / treffe ich Freunde.
- Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich [Reason: arbeiten, studieren, Ausbildung machen] möchte.
Open a theme (Teil 2) — 6 phrases
- Mein Thema heute ist « [Thema] ». Ich werde meine Meinung dazu erklären.
- Ich möchte zuerst über [Aspekt 1] sprechen, dann über [Aspekt 2].
- Meiner Meinung nach ist [Thema] sehr wichtig, weil …
- Ein Beispiel aus meinem eigenen Leben ist …
- Auf der einen Seite … Auf der anderen Seite …
- Zusammenfassend kann man sagen, dass …
Propose and negotiate (Teil 3) — 8 phrases
- Ich schlage vor, dass wir …
- Was hältst du davon, wenn wir …?
- Ich bin einverstanden / Da stimme ich dir zu.
- Da bin ich nicht ganz deiner Meinung, weil …
- Ich habe eine bessere Idee: …
- Sollen wir das machen oder lieber …?
- Also, wir haben entschieden, dass …
- Wer macht was? Ich kann … und du?
Buy time when hesitating — 5 phrases
- Das ist eine gute Frage. Lass mich kurz überlegen.
- Wie kann ich das erklären …
- Mit anderen Worten …
- Was ich meine, ist …
- Kannst du das noch einmal wiederholen, bitte?
Questions to ask the partner — 5 phrases
- Und du, was denkst du darüber?
- Wie ist das in deinem Land?
- Hast du eine andere Idee?
- Wie machen wir das konkret?
- Sind wir einverstanden?
8. Handling a weak or dominant partner
If your partner speaks too little
- Ask them 2-3 open questions per minute (see §7).
- Rephrase their short answers into complete sentences to give them a springboard.
- Propose several options so they only have to choose: « Möchtest du A oder B? »
- Don't monopolize either — the examiner scores your interaction, not your monologue.
If your partner dominates the conversation
- Intervene politely but firmly: « Entschuldigung, ich möchte auch etwas dazu sagen. »
- Use connectors that naturally cut in: « Das stimmt, aber ich denke auch, dass … »
- Ask them a question that forces them to return the floor: « Und was denkst du über meine Idee? »
- Mark your speaking turns clearly — the examiner sees everything.
9. The 6 mistakes that cost TELC B1 oral
- Reading your notes. The examiner penalizes instantly. Use notes as visual reference, not script.
- Not asking a question to the partner. At Teil 3, you must interact. Without questions, interaction caps at 50 %.
- Staying on short sentences. « Ich mag das. Es ist gut. » scores nothing at B1. Use subordinates with weil, dass, wenn.
- Monotone pronunciation. A flat-voice speech loses 3-5 points. Vary intonation, mark pauses, smile.
- Skipping Teil 3 to finish early. Every minute missed = points lost. Use the full 6 minutes.
- Losing patience with the partner. A candidate who sighs, cuts off or shows impatience loses points on cooperative attitude.
10. 4-week practice plan
| Week | Focus | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| W1 | Memorize the 30 template phrases + write Teil 1 presentation | 1.5 min presentation memorized 90 % |
| W2 | Prepare 5 Teil 2 themes (opinion + 2 arguments + 1 example) | 5 3-min speeches recorded |
| W3 | Prepare 5 Teil 3 scenarios with a practice partner | 5 6-min dialogues recorded |
| W4 | 3 complete timed simulations (15 min each) | AI score ≥ 55/75 |
Daily protocol
- 10 min — review 5 template phrases aloud.
- 15 min — prepare a theme (draft + note-taking).
- 10 min — record your production.
- 5 min — self-evaluate with 3 things to improve.
- Next day — redo the same theme correcting the 3 things.
Sources and references
Data last verified: July 23, 2026.