B1 speaking practice

How to practise speaking alone

• Record yourself on your phone, listen back and note three things to improve. Then record again.
• Time yourself: one to two minutes for a monologue, three minutes for a presentation.
• Use the phrases: learn two or three by heart for each task; they give you time to think.
• Find a partner: a colleague, a tandem partner from a language exchange, or a classmate. Role plays work best with two.
• Don't stop for mistakes: at B1 the examiner wants to hear that you can keep talking, react and explain. Correct yourself only if the mistake changes the meaning.

Most B1 exams have a speaking part with three kinds of tasks: introducing yourself or talking about a topic, planning something together with a partner, and a short presentation with questions. The tasks below cover all three, plus role plays from daily life in Germany.

The tasks

1. Introduce yourself

Talk for one to two minutes: where you come from, your education and job, your family, why you came to Germany, your hobbies and plans.

2. Plan something together

You and a colleague want to organise a farewell party for a team member. Agree on the date, place, food, a present and who does what.

3. Present a topic

Give a short presentation (3 minutes) on 'Should children learn a second language at nursery?': structure, your experience, the situation in your home country, advantages and disadvantages, your opinion.

4. Talk about a picture

Describe a picture of a busy train station: what you see, what the people might be doing, and your own experience with travelling by train in Germany.

5. At the immigration office

Role play: you need to extend your residence permit. Explain your situation, ask which documents you need, how long it takes and what you can do if your permit expires before the appointment.

6. At the doctor's

Role play: describe your symptoms (since when, how strong), answer questions about medicine and allergies, and ask about sick leave.

7. Discuss an opinion

Discuss with a partner: 'Should shops in Germany be open on Sundays?' Give reasons, react to the other person, find a compromise.

8. Complain politely

Role play: your online order arrived broken. Call customer service, explain the problem, say what you expect, and agree on a solution.

9. Talk about your work

Describe a normal working day, your tasks, your colleagues, what you like and what you would change.

10. Compare India and Germany

Compare one topic, e.g. food, festivals, public transport or work culture: similarities, differences, what surprised you.

Keep going

Each B1 lesson has a dialogue: read it aloud and then change the details to talk about your own life. Write first, then speak: the writing trainer helps you build the sentences you need. When the tasks feel easy, check your grammar with the B1 test.