The speaking test is the part many learners fear most, yet at A2 it is very predictable: you introduce yourself, ask and answer everyday questions, and plan an appointment with a partner. This guide prepares you for Goethe A2 Sprechen and telc A2 Sprechen (Start Deutsch 2, Mündliche Prüfung). You will learn how each part works, how to react when you do not understand, and which phrases to use. There is also a model dialogue, a presentation outline and a weekly plan. If you are searching for A2 speaking exam practice or Goethe A2 Sprechen Teil 3 tips, read on.
What the exam looks like
| Goethe-Zertifikat A2 | telc Deutsch A2 (Start Deutsch 2) | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Pair exam (approx. 15 min) with two examiners; individual exam approx. 10 min | Usually 2 candidates, approx. 15 min; two examiners |
| Preparation | No preparation time | No preparation time |
| Introduction | Short, not graded (approx. 1 min) | – |
| Teil 1 | Ask and answer personal questions: 4 word cards each, ask 4 questions and answer 4 (approx. 3 min) | Sich vorstellen: introduce yourself from key words, then answer the examiner’s questions (approx. 3 min, max. 3 points) |
| Teil 2 | Talk about your life: one card with a topic and 4 prompts, then follow-up questions (approx. 3 min per candidate) | Ein Alltagsgespräch führen: with topic cards (incl. a joker card), each candidate asks 3 questions and answers 3 (approx. 4 min, max. 6 points) |
| Teil 3 | Plan something together: different day schedules, agree on a common time (approx. 5 min) | Etwas aushandeln: different schedules, agree on an appointment (approx. 4 min, max. 6 points) |
| Points | 25; marked for task completion, language and pronunciation | 15 |
The structure of both exams is similar: questions, a short personal talk, and a negotiation. The biggest difference is in Teil 1 and Teil 2: at Goethe, the question cards come first and the personal talk second; at telc, you introduce yourself first and then ask and answer questions with cards.
Strategy for each part: Goethe A2 Sprechen
Teil 1: Questions with word cards
- Your card shows a topic and a word, e.g. Freizeit + Wochenende?. Make a complete question with a W-word or a yes/no question: „Was machst du am Wochenende?“
- Answer your partner in a full sentence and add one detail: „Am Wochenende gehe ich oft schwimmen, weil das gut für den Rücken ist.“
- Use the form of address agreed at the start (du or Sie) and keep it.
Typical trap: just reading out the word on the card („Wochenende?“). That is not a question. Build a sentence.
Teil 2: Talking about your life
- Your card has a topic (e.g. Was machen Sie in Ihrer Freizeit?) and four prompts around it.
- Say 1–2 sentences for each prompt. Go round the card clockwise so you don’t forget one.
- Expect follow-up questions from the examiner. Short, honest answers are fine.
Mini outline (topic: Wohnen):
- Wo? → „Ich wohne in einer Wohnung in der Nähe vom Bahnhof.“
- Wie groß? → „Die Wohnung hat zwei Zimmer, eine Küche und ein Bad.“
- Mit wem? → „Ich wohne mit meinem Mann und unserer Tochter.“
- Was gefällt Ihnen? → „Mir gefällt der Balkon, aber die Miete ist ziemlich hoch.“
Teil 3: Planning together
- Each of you has a different schedule for the same day. Read it quickly; mark the free times.
- Suggest a time, react to your partner, and give reasons when you say no.
- Agree on a time and repeat it at the end so the agreement is clear.
Typical trap: agreeing too quickly. The examiners want to hear you suggest, refuse, give a reason and agree. Take turns and keep the conversation going for the full time.
Strategy for each part: telc A2 Sprechen
Teil 1: Introducing yourself
You get key words such as Name, Alter, Land, Wohnort, Sprachen, Beruf, Hobby. Prepare this in advance: you can practise it at home until it sounds natural. Then the examiner asks follow-up questions, for example „Wie lange lernen Sie schon Deutsch?“ Answer in full sentences.
Model: „Ich heiße Leila Haddad, ich bin 29 Jahre alt und komme aus dem Libanon. Seit zwei Jahren wohne ich in Köln. Ich spreche Arabisch, Französisch, Englisch und ein bisschen Deutsch. Ich arbeite als Krankenpflegerin. In meiner Freizeit koche ich gern und gehe joggen.“
Teil 2: Everyday conversation with cards
- Each card has a topic and a key word. Make a question: card Essen und Trinken / Frühstück → „Was frühstückst du normalerweise?“
- With the joker card you can ask any suitable question on the topic.
- Answer your partner’s three questions with a full sentence plus a detail.
Teil 3: Negotiating an appointment
The method is the same as Goethe Teil 3: find free times, suggest, refuse with a reason, make a new suggestion, agree. Also discuss small details if they fit: „Wo treffen wir uns?“, „Wer kauft die Tickets?“
Redemittel for A2 speaking
| Function | German | English |
|---|---|---|
| Suggesting | Wollen wir uns um … treffen? / Hast du am … Zeit? | Shall we meet at …? / Are you free on …? |
| Agreeing | Ja, das passt mir gut. / Gute Idee! / Einverstanden. | Yes, that suits me. / Good idea! / Agreed. |
| Refusing with a reason | Da kann ich leider nicht, da habe ich einen Termin. | I can’t then, I have an appointment. |
| Counter-suggestion | Und wie ist es um …? / Geht es vielleicht später? | And what about …? / Is later possible? |
| Confirming | Also, wir treffen uns um vier am Bahnhof. | So, we’re meeting at four at the station. |
| Not understanding | Wie bitte? / Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? | Pardon? / Could you repeat that, please? |
| Missing a word | Wie sagt man …? / Ich weiß das Wort nicht, es ist ein Ding für … | How do you say …? / I don’t know the word, it’s a thing for … |
| Opinion | Ich finde … / Mir gefällt … / Ich mag … (nicht) | I think … / I like … / I (don’t) like … |
| Connectors | und, aber, oder, weil, deshalb, dann, danach | and, but, or, because, so, then, after that |
Model dialogue: planning together (Teil 3)
Task: You want to visit a colleague in hospital together on Saturday. Find a time.
A: Wir wollen doch am Samstag Jana im Krankenhaus besuchen. Wann hast du Zeit?
B: Am Vormittag habe ich bis elf Uhr Sport. Wie ist es um halb zwölf?
A: Das geht leider nicht. Um zwölf esse ich mit meinen Eltern zu Mittag. Passt es dir um zwei?
B: Um zwei muss ich einkaufen gehen. Aber ab drei Uhr bin ich frei.
A: Um drei kann ich auch. Sollen wir Blumen mitbringen?
B: Gute Idee. Ich kaufe die Blumen, ich bin ja schon im Supermarkt.
A: Super. Treffen wir uns vor dem Krankenhaus?
B: Ja. Also, Samstag um drei vor dem Krankenhaus. Bis dann!
Why it works: both partners suggest, both refuse once with a reason, they add a detail (flowers, meeting point) and confirm the result at the end.
Practice: short speaking set
Practise alone (record yourself) or with a partner. Questions 1–4: turn the card into a question. Questions 5–7: react appropriately.
- Card: Arbeit / Kollegen?
- Card: Reisen / Urlaub?
- Card: Einkaufen / Supermarkt?
- Card: Sport / wie oft?
- Your partner says: „Treffen wir uns um neun?“ You have a doctor’s appointment then.
- The examiner says something you didn’t understand.
- You and your partner have agreed on 4 p.m. at the cinema. Confirm it.
Sample answers
- Wie sind deine Kollegen bei der Arbeit?
- Wohin fährst du gern in den Urlaub?
- In welchem Supermarkt kaufst du meistens ein?
- Wie oft machst du Sport?
- Um neun kann ich leider nicht, da habe ich einen Termin beim Arzt. Geht es um elf?
- Entschuldigung, das habe ich nicht verstanden. Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?
- Also, wir treffen uns um vier Uhr am Kino.
Other correct questions are possible, as long as they are complete and fit the card.
Common mistakes in A2 Sprechen
- Answering with one word. ✗ „Fußball.“ → ✓ „Ich spiele gern Fußball, meistens am Sonntag.“
- Wrong question word order. ✗ „Was du machst am Abend?“ → ✓ „Was machst du am Abend?“
- Mixing du and Sie. Agree on one form with your partner and stick to it; use Sie with the examiner.
- Dative after prepositions. ✗ „mit mein Freund“ → ✓ „mit meinem Freund“.
- Times. ✗ „um halb drei“ meant as 3:30 → ✓ „um halb vier“ (3:30).
- Silence when stuck. Correction: use a strategy phrase („Wie sagt man …?“) or paraphrase.
- Not reacting to the partner. In Teil 3 listen and respond: „Ach, da hast du Sport? Dann vielleicht später?“
Weekly practice plan
- Monday: record your self-introduction (1 minute) and listen back.
- Tuesday: make 10 questions from topic/key-word pairs (food, work, free time, travel).
- Wednesday: talk for 1 minute about one topic with four prompts.
- Thursday: role-play Teil 3 with a partner or write both roles and read them aloud.
- Friday: clock times and days drill: say ten appointments aloud.
- Weekend: a full speaking simulation with a study partner, 15 minutes.
Next steps
- See full A2 speaking tasks in our German mock exams.
- Run a timed practice in the exam simulator.
- Work on vocabulary and grammar in the German A2 course.
- Read the other A2 guides: A2 Hören, A2 Lesen, A2 Schreiben.
FAQ
How many points do I need to pass Goethe A2 Sprechen?
You need at least 15 of 25 points in the oral part. You also need at least 45 of 75 in the written part and at least 60 of 100 overall.
Is there preparation time in the A2 speaking exam?
No. Both Goethe A2 and telc A2 Sprechen have no preparation time; at most you get a brief moment to look at your cards or task sheet before you start.
Can I take the Goethe A2 speaking exam alone?
The standard format is a pair exam (approx. 15 minutes); an individual exam (approx. 10 minutes) also exists. Ask your exam centre which one applies to you.
How many points is telc A2 Sprechen worth?
15 points: 3 for Teil 1, 6 for Teil 2 and 6 for Teil 3. The overall telc A2 pass mark is 36 of 60; for any other requirements, check with telc.