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German B1 · Speaking practice

telc B1 speaking Teil 1: how to introduce yourself and ask questions in return

telc B1 speaking Teil 1, „Einander kennenlernen⁠“, is the first part of the telc Deutsch B1 (Zertifikat Deutsch) speaking exam: you and your partner introduce yourselves and ask each other questions for about 3 minutes, and this part is marked. The hard part is to introduce yourself (sich vorstellen) so that it sounds like a conversation, not a recited text. All questions, answers and sample dialogues are our own practice material, not original exam tasks; the clip further down comes from an AI simulation recorded in B1 Sprechen.

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Independent practice service · not affiliated with the Goethe-Institut or telc gGmbH. Exam names are used only to describe the exams. All sample questions, answers and sample dialogues on this page are our own practice material.

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approx. 3 min
Length of Teil 1
15 of 75
Speaking marks for Teil 1
2
Candidates (usually), asking each other questions
Extra topic
Examiners may add one not on the task sheet
01Topic 1 · Topic 2 · Topic 3 · Topic 4

Four conversation areas, with sample questions and answers

The points on the telc task sheet are only suggestions: you may talk about other things, and the examiners may bring up an extra topic. The four areas below are our own selection of things two adults naturally talk about when they meet, not a list of official exam topics. The German questions and answers are original practice material. Use them as building blocks you adapt to your own life, not as a script to learn by heart. After the four areas come a sample dialogue, Redemittel for asking and reacting, mistakes to avoid and a way to practise on your own.

  1. Our guide: 30–⁠60 seconds

    Topic 1 · Herkunft & Wohnort

    Where you come from and where you live

    A natural opening: name, country or city, how long you have lived where you live now and how you like it. Keep it short and hand over to your partner quickly.

    • „Woher kommen Sie?⁠“ – „Ich komme aus Izmir, das ist eine Stadt an der Westküste der Türkei.⁠“
    • „Wie lange wohnen Sie schon in Deutschland?⁠“ – „Seit drei Jahren, zuerst in Hamburg und seit letztem Jahr hier in Bonn.⁠“
    • „Wie gefällt es Ihnen dort?⁠“ – „Sehr gut. Bonn ist ruhiger als Hamburg, und es gibt viele Parks. Und Sie, wo wohnen Sie?⁠“
  2. Our guide: 30–⁠60 seconds

    Topic 2 · Familie

    Family

    Who you live with, children, brothers and sisters, family abroad. Say only what you are comfortable with: since the points on the task sheet are suggestions, you can steer to another topic.

    • „Haben Sie Familie hier?⁠“ – „Ja, ich wohne mit meinem Mann und unseren zwei Söhnen zusammen. Sie sind acht und elf und gehen hier zur Schule.⁠“
    • „Haben Sie Geschwister?⁠“ – „Ja, zwei Schwestern. Eine wohnt auch in Deutschland, in Hamburg, die andere ist noch in Izmir.⁠“
    • Follow-up: „Ihre Söhne gehen hier zur Schule? Sprechen sie besser Deutsch als Sie?⁠“ – „Ja, leider! Manchmal korrigieren sie mich.⁠“
    • Steering away: „Über meine Familie erzähle ich nicht so gern, aber ich kann Ihnen etwas über meine Arbeit sagen.⁠“
  3. Our guide: 30–⁠60 seconds

    Topic 3 · Arbeit & Ausbildung

    Work, studies or training

    Your job, training or course, what you like about it, what is hard, and your plans. If you are not working right now, say what you did before or what you are looking for.

    • „Was machen Sie beruflich?⁠“ – „Ich bin Friseurin und arbeite in einem kleinen Salon in Bonn.⁠“
    • „Macht Ihnen die Arbeit Spaß?⁠“ – „Meistens ja. Ich rede gern mit den Kundinnen, aber am Samstag ist es immer sehr voll.⁠“
    • „Was möchten Sie später machen?⁠“ – „Ich möchte eine Weiterbildung machen. Dafür lerne ich gerade Deutsch.⁠“
    • Not working: „Im Moment suche ich eine Stelle. Vorher habe ich drei Jahre als Verkäuferin gearbeitet.⁠“
  4. Our guide: 30–⁠60 seconds

    Topic 4 · Freizeit & Sprachenlernen

    Free time and learning languages

    Hobbies, weekends, and why and how you learn German. This area gives you easy follow-up questions and often something you have in common with your partner.

    • „Was machen Sie gern in Ihrer Freizeit?⁠“ – „Ich spiele in einem Verein Fußball. Da lerne ich auch viel Deutsch, weil wir nach dem Training oft zusammen etwas trinken.⁠“
    • „Warum lernen Sie Deutsch?⁠“ – „Für meine Arbeit und für den Alltag. Ich möchte zum Beispiel ohne Hilfe mit den Lehrern meiner Söhne sprechen.⁠“
    • „Welche Sprachen sprechen Sie noch?⁠“ – „Türkisch ist meine Muttersprache, außerdem spreche ich ein bisschen Englisch.⁠“
    • „Was finden Sie am Deutschen schwierig?⁠“ – „Die Artikel! Der, die, das – die verwechsle ich immer noch oft. Und Sie?⁠“

recorded in B1 Sprechen · all voices AI

telc B1 speaking Teil 1: an example from an AI simulation

Alex (AI) and Ivana (AI) get to know each other – languages, spare time, weekends. Listen to how both keep asking back: that is how introducing yourself becomes a conversation instead of a learnt-by-heart text.

Part 1 · Getting to know each other

Excerpt 01:26–02:13AI simulation
Frau Weber (AI)Examiner
Herr Braun (AI)Examiner
Alex (AI)Candidate
Ivana (AI)Fellow candidate

Ivana (AI) Meine Muttersprache ist Kroatisch, und Englisch kann ich gut seit der Schule.

01:26 / 02:13Part 1 · Getting to know each other

From the feedback on this part

Said01:45

„ Und am Wochenende ich gehe wandern“

More natural

„Und am Wochenende gehe ich wandern.“

Why: Im Hauptsatz steht das Verb an zweiter Stelle.

Transcript excerpt · 01:26–01:55

  1. 01:26Ivana (AI)liveMeine Muttersprache ist Kroatisch, und Englisch kann ich gut seit der Schule. Und Sie, sprechen Sie auch Englisch?
  2. […]
  3. 01:45Alex (AI)liveUnd am Wochenende ich gehe wandern

    Feedback page: Und am Wochenende gehe ich wandern.

  4. 01:47Ivana (AI)liveOh wow, Tischtennis mag ich, aber ich bin nicht so gut. Wandern ist schön, das klingt ruhig. Was kochen Sie denn gern?

Redemittel (useful phrases) in this clip

  • „Und Sie, sprechen Sie auch …?““And you, do you speak … too?”: asks back
  • „Am Wochenende gehe ich …““At the weekend I go …”: talks about your spare time; after „Am Wochenende“ the verb comes second
  • „… mag ich, aber ich bin nicht so gut.““I like …, but I’m not very good”: reacts to what was said
  • „Was kochen Sie denn gern?““So what do you like to cook?”: follows up and hands the turn back

In the full conversation from 01:26Feedback page for this simulation (Part 1)

Listen to this excerpt in the full conversation – or see what the feedback says about exactly these sentences.

All voices are AI · Candidate Alex (AI) plays a typical B1 learner – the feedback picks up his mistakes.

How this sample is made
  1. Real-time voice: the AI partner listens and responds live to what is said.
  2. An orchestrator steers candidate Alex (AI) part by part – with the same task sheets you get.
  3. B1 Sprechen records the conversation, transcribes it and builds the feedback page – in under a minute, just like yours.
  4. For the excerpts we only cut – each one jumps to its place in the full recording.

Where the lines come from

script pre-recorded live

Examiners: fixed texts, recorded in advance; Herr Braun does not speak in this telc simulation. Partner: partly recorded in advance (summary of the text), otherwise live.

02

Sample dialogue: the first minute of Teil 1

A short, original example of how Teil 1 can start. Notice that both candidates keep their answers to two or three sentences, usually end with a question in return and pick up on a detail the other person mentioned. telc's Übungstest presents its exam flow only as a possible one, so who starts and how the examiner phrases things can differ on the day.

  • Examiner: „Bitte lernen Sie sich jetzt kennen. Frau Demir, fangen Sie bitte an.⁠“
  • A: „Gern. Guten Tag, ich heiße Elif Demir. Ich komme aus Ankara und wohne seit zwei Jahren in Düsseldorf. Und Sie? Woher kommen Sie?⁠“
  • B: „Ich heiße Rafael Silva und komme aus Brasilien, aus Recife. Seit einem Jahr wohne ich in Köln, also ganz in Ihrer Nähe. Was machen Sie beruflich, Frau Demir?⁠“
  • A: „Ich bin Busfahrerin. Ich mag die Arbeit, aber morgens um fünf anzufangen ist manchmal hart. Arbeiten Sie auch?⁠“
  • B: „Ja, ich bin Koch in einem Restaurant. Deshalb habe ich am Wochenende leider selten frei.⁠“
  • A: „Oh, ein Koch! Was kochen Sie am liebsten?⁠“
  • B: „Zu Hause koche ich am liebsten brasilianisch, im Restaurant kochen wir vor allem italienisch. Und was machen Sie gern in Ihrer Freizeit?⁠“
  • A: „Ich gehe gern schwimmen, und ich lese viel, jetzt auch auf Deutsch. Das hilft mir beim Lernen.⁠“
  • Examiner (an extra topic, as the examiners may add one): „Erzählen Sie doch bitte noch etwas übers Reisen: Wohin möchten Sie gern einmal fahren?⁠“

Written by us for practice. It is not an official task and not a recording of a real exam.

03

Redemittel for asking questions in return and reacting

Most people prepare what to say about themselves and forget the other half of the task: asking and reacting. telc's Übungstest states that follow-up questions and helping each other are rated positively. These phrases keep the conversation going in both directions:

  • Returning the question:„Und Sie?⁠“„Wie ist das bei Ihnen?⁠“„Darf ich fragen, was Sie beruflich machen?⁠“
  • Following up:„Seit wann machen Sie das schon?⁠“„Wie sind Sie dazu gekommen?⁠“„Was gefällt Ihnen daran besonders?⁠“
  • Reacting:„Ach, wirklich? Das ist ja interessant.⁠“„Oh, das klingt anstrengend.⁠“„Das kann ich gut verstehen.⁠“
  • Finding common ground:„Das ist bei mir ganz ähnlich.⁠“„Dann haben wir ja etwas gemeinsam!⁠“
  • When you did not understand:„Entschuldigung, können Sie das bitte noch einmal sagen?⁠“„Meinen Sie, dass …?⁠“
  • Helping a quiet partner:„Und was machen Sie gern am Wochenende?⁠“„Erzählen Sie doch mal, wie Ihr Alltag aussieht.⁠“
  • Steering away from a private topic: „Darüber spreche ich nicht so gern, aber ich kann Ihnen etwas über … erzählen.⁠“
04

Mistakes to avoid when introducing yourself in Teil 1

These patterns make Teil 1 harder than it needs to be. None of them is about grammar:

  • Reciting a memorised monologue: a one-minute self-introduction without a break sounds rehearsed, leaves no room for your partner and falls apart when the examiner brings up a topic you did not prepare.
  • Not asking your partner anything: the task is to get to know each other, so questions are part of it, not an extra.
  • Asking a list of questions without listening: „Woher kommen Sie? Was sind Sie von Beruf? Haben Sie Hobbys?⁠“ is an interview, not a conversation. React to the answer first.
  • One-word answers: „Aus Brasilien.⁠“ gives your partner nothing to pick up. Add one detail and a reason.
  • Talking too much: the interlocutor steps in when one person talks too much and the other too little. Hand over after two or three sentences.
  • Reading from your notes: you may take your preparation notes into the room, but you should not read them out.
05

How Teil 1 is marked (official)

Teil 1 is the shortest part, but it counts: up to 15 of the 75 speaking marks. Like Teil 2 and Teil 3, it is marked on four criteria: Ausdrucksfähigkeit (range of expression), Aufgabenbewältigung (task completion) and Formale Richtigkeit (accuracy), up to 4 marks each, plus Aussprache und Intonation (pronunciation and intonation), up to 3. The two examiners mark separately and agree on one final mark after you have left. These facts, like the others about the exam on this page, come from telc's Übungstest 1 (13th edition, 2020).

B1 Sprechen does not give marks, predict a result or assess pronunciation. Our feedback only refers to sentences you actually said.

06

How to practise Teil 1 on your own

Reading sample answers is not the same as producing them under time pressure, with someone waiting for your reply. A simple routine that gets closer:

  • Put the questions from this page (and your own) on cards, shuffle them and record yourself for 3 minutes, answering whatever comes up out loud.
  • After each answer, return the question out loud, as if your partner were sitting next to you.
  • Listen back: How often did you ask something? Did you read or recite? Did you connect sentences with „weil⁠“, „deshalb⁠“ or „aber⁠“?
  • Add cards you have not seen before (Essen, Reisen, Einkaufen, Pläne) to practise reacting to an extra topic from the examiners.
  • If you can, swap roles with a study partner: one asks, the other answers, then switch.

Phrases and model answers only help once you say them out loud, in time, with a partner reacting. The telc simulation of B1 Sprechen is designed around exactly this: an AI examiner, an AI partner, then feedback on the sentences you said and a recording to listen back to.

Practise Einander kennenlernen with an AI partner

  • Preparation and all three parts, in the order of your exam
  • An AI partner who responds live to what you say
  • Shortly after: feedback in German on your own sentences, with quotes and timestamps

An AI examiner and an AI partner take you through the whole telc Deutsch B1 speaking exam in order: in Teil 1 your partner answers your questions and asks you some too, then come Teil 2 and Teil 3. Afterwards you get feedback on your own sentences and your recording. Packs of 1, 3 or 5 simulations, from €5.98 per simulation, one-off payment, no subscription; the packs work for both Goethe and telc, and you choose the exam when you start.

Try one part for freeapprox. 5 minStart with 1 simulation · €7.90See prices

full simulation, all three parts · computer + microphone · no subscription · valid 90 days

Within 14 days of purchase, we refund unused simulations pro rata to the pack price – no reason needed. If you have not used any simulation yet, you get the full amount back. Refund policy

07

telc B1 speaking Teil 1: frequently asked questions

01Is Teil 1 of the telc B1 speaking exam marked?

Yes. Teil 1 („Einander kennenlernen⁠“) gives up to 15 of the 75 speaking marks. This is different from the Goethe-Zertifikat B1, where the short introduction at the start is not marked.

02Is „Kontaktaufnahme⁠“ the same as „Einander kennenlernen⁠“?

You will often see this part called „Kontaktaufnahme⁠“ in searches and prep materials. telc's official Übungstest 1 calls it „Einander kennenlernen⁠“: you introduce yourselves and ask each other questions for about 3 minutes.

03Do I have to talk about every point on the task sheet?

No. According to telc's Übungstest, the points on the task sheet are only suggestions and you may talk about other things. The examiners may also bring up an extra topic that is not on the sheet.

04How long should my answers be?

Teil 1 lasts about 3 minutes for both of you together, so there is no room for long speeches. Our suggestion: two or three sentences with one detail, then a question for your partner.

05Who starts, me or my partner?

It is not fixed. In the sample flow in telc's Übungstest, the examiner asks candidate A to start Teil 1, but telc presents that flow only as a possible one.

06Should I prepare Teil 1 in the 20 minutes' preparation?

You get the task sheets for all three parts in the preparation room. Our suggestion: Teil 2 about 8 minutes, Teil 3 about 7, Teil 1 about 2 (a few keywords and two or three questions for your partner are enough), and the last 3 or so to look over everything. Notes go only on the paper stamped by the test centre, not on the task sheets, and you should not read them out.

07Are these real telc exam questions?

No. All sample questions, answers and sample dialogues on this page are our own practice material. For an official example, download telc's Übungstest 1 from the telc Deutsch B1 page on telc.net.

More practice material

Taking the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 instead?

The Goethe speaking exam has no marked introduction: after a short, unmarked warm-up, Teil 1 is planning something together with your partner, followed by a presentation and then feedback and questions.

Goethe B1 speaking exam

Official telc information