TELC B1 Speaking Part 1: Complete Guide with Dialogue

TELC B1 Speaking Part 1 (Sprechen Teil 1), also known as "Einander kennenlernen", is the first task of the oral exam (mündliche Prüfung). In this part of the TELC B1 speaking exam you talk with another candidate and exchange personal information by asking and answering questions about your name, origin, home, family, German learning, work or studies and languages.

The focus is on simple, natural communication rather than giving a prepared presentation.

You should demonstrate that you can:

• communicate clearly in German

• ask and answer simple questions

• keep a conversation going

• react naturally to your partner

• use everyday B1 German vocabulary and grammar

This complete guide includes:

• the seven official speaking topics

• TELC B1 speaking vocabulary with German articles

• useful sample answers with English translations

• important phrases for the speaking exam

• a complete TELC B1 sample dialogue

• common mistakes to avoid

• practical tips for a successful German speaking exam

What Is TELC B1 Speaking Part 1?

In TELC B1 Speaking Part 1, also called Sprechen Teil 1: Einander kennenlernen, you talk with another candidate and exchange personal information. The focus is on simple, natural communication rather than giving a prepared presentation.

You and your partner introduce yourselves by asking and answering questions about your personal information.

A very important point:

This part of the exam is a dialogue, not a presentation.

You should therefore avoid preparing a long speech that you simply memorize. Instead, prepare useful information about yourself and practise asking questions, answering naturally, adding details and responding to your partner.

The 7 Topics You Should Prepare for TELC B1 Speaking Part 1

During Sprechen Teil 1: Einander kennenlernen, you and your partner introduce yourselves by asking and answering questions about seven personal topics.

The table below shows the official topic areas and the information you should be prepared to discuss.

How to Structure Your TELC B1 Speaking Part 1 Dialogue

A clear structure helps you stay calm and confident during the exam. Your goal is to have a natural conversation with your partner.

Follow these steps:

Start With a Greeting

Always begin the conversation politely. After greeting your partner introduce yourself and start asking questions.

Useful German Greetings

Use these expressions to start your exam conversation politely.

A friendly greeting creates a positive first impression.

Should You Use "Sie" or "Du" in the Exam?

Before starting your conversation you and your partner can decide whether you want to use du or Sie.

Should you use du or Sie?

Both forms can occur in everyday German. The important thing is to use the form of address consistently and respond appropriately to your partner.

Asking to Use "Du"

These are common ways to ask your partner if you can use du instead of Sie.

Accepting "Du"

If you agree  to use du, you can respond with one of these expressions.

Staying Formal with "Sie"

If you prefer to continue using the formal Sie, you can say:

Exam Tip

Do not worry about choosing du or Sie. The examiners are interested in your ability to communicate. Choose one form and use it correctly throughout the conversation.

Important Rule: Answer and Ask Back

A very important strategy for TELC B1 Speaking Part 1 is to keep the conversation going.

Do not only answer your partner’s question. Add some extra information and ask a similar question back.

Use this simple structure:

Answer → Add information → Ask back

Example:

Partner: Woher kommst du?
Where are you from?

You:
Ich komme aus Indien, aus Mumbai. Jetzt wohne ich in Berlin, weil ich hier arbeite. Und woher kommst du?

I come from India, from Mumbai. Now I live in Berlin because I work here. And where are you from?

This structure helps you create a natural dialogue, show your speaking skills, and give your partner the opportunity to continue the conversation.

Topic 1: Name (Sich vorstellen)

The first topic is introducing yourself. You should tell your partner your name and some basic information.

TELC B1 Speaking Questions About Your Name

Use these questions to start a conversation with your partner about their name and basic information.

Note:

The questions "Wie ist Ihr Name?" and "Wie ist dein Name?" are grammatically correct, but they are less common in everyday German. In the exam, "Wie heißen Sie?" or "Wie heißt du?" sound more natural.

Sample Answers

You can use the following sentences to introduce yourself.

Useful Vocabulary

Learn these useful words and expressions to introduce yourself in German.

Topic 2: Origin and Hometown (Woher kommen Sie?)

In this part of the conversation you should talk about where you come from, where you were born and your hometown.

TELC B1 Speaking Questions About Your Origin

These questions will help you talk about your partner’s background and hometown. 

Sample Answers

You can use these phrases to talk about your origin and hometown.

Useful Vocabulary

Learn these useful words and expressions to talk about your origin, hometown and background.

Topic 3: Home and Living Situation (Wie wohnen Sie?)

In this part of TELC B1 Sprechen Teil 1, you should describe where and how you live. You can talk about your home, location, rooms, garden or balcony and the people you live with.

You can talk about:

• apartment or house

• location

• rooms, garden, or balcony

• living alone, with family, or with roommates

TELC B1 Speaking Questions About Your Home

Use these questions to ask your partner about their home and living situation.

Sample Answers

You can use these sentences to describe your home and living situation.

Useful Vocabulary

Learn these useful words and expressions to talk about your home and living situation.

Topic 4: Family (Familie)

In this part of TELC B1 speaking exam you talk about your family. You do not need to give a very long description. A few sentences about your family members, relationship status and children are enough.

You can talk about:

• parents

• brothers and sisters

• husband or wife

• children

• where your family lives

TELC B1 Speaking Questions About Family

Use these questions to ask your partner about their family and personal situation.

Sample Answers

You can use these sentences to talk about your family.

Useful Vocabulary

Learn these useful words and expressions to talk about your family and personal situation.

Topic 5: Learning German (Deutsch lernen)

In the next part you should talk about your experience learning German. You can explain where you learned German, what kind of course you attended and how you practise German.

You can talk about:

• where you learned German

• whether you are still learning German

• your German course or learning method

• how you practise German

Questions About Learning German

Use these questions to ask your partner about their German learning experience.

Sample Answers

You can use these sentences to talk about learning German.

Useful Vocabulary

Learn these useful words and expressions to talk about learning German.

Topic 6: Work, School or Studies (Beruf, Schule, Studium)

In this part of the B1 German speaking exam you should explain what you currently do. You can talk about your job, profession, studies or school.

You can talk about:

• your job or profession

• your workplace

• your studies

• your school or training

TELC B1 Questions About Work and Studies

Use these questions to ask your partner about their work, studies or school.

Sample Answers

You can use these sentences to talk about your job, studies or school.

A Useful German Grammar Pattern

This topic is a good opportunity to practise the difference between als, bei and in:

Ich arbeite als Ingenieur. → profession
I work as an engineer.

Ich arbeite bei Siemens. → employer/company
I work for Siemens.

Ich arbeite in einem Krankenhaus. → workplace
I work in a hospital.

These three patterns are particularly useful when preparing your TELC B1 speaking answers.

Useful Vocabulary

Learn these useful words and expressions to talk about your work, school, and studies.

Topic 7: Languages (Sprachen)

This is the final topic in TELC B1 Sprechen Teil 1. Here you should talk about the languages you speak, your mother tongue, and your experience learning German.

You can mention:

• your mother tongue

• foreign languages you speak

• how long you have been learning German

• why you are learning German

Questions About Languages

Use these questions to ask your partner about their language background and German learning experience.

Sample Answers

You can use these sentences to talk about the languages you speak.

Giving Reasons for Learning German

You can explain why you are learning German using these useful expressions.

Useful Vocabulary

Learn these useful words and expressions to talk about languages and language learning.

How to Finish the Conversation Politely

At the end of the conversation a simple and natural ending is enough. You do not need to give a formal speech or memorize a special closing sentence.

However, these expressions can be useful:

Possible Follow-Up Questions in the TELC B1 Speaking Exam

After you finish your dialogue with your partner, the examiners may ask you some additional questions about the topics you have discussed.

These questions are not a separate presentation task. They are additional questions that the examiners may ask after or during the conversation. The official telc practice test notes that examiners can ask further questions.

You should answer these questions with complete sentences and try to add one or two extra details.

About Your Origin

Warum sind Sie nach Deutschland gekommen?
Why did you come to Germany?

Example answer:
Ich bin nach Deutschland gekommen, weil ich hier studieren und arbeiten möchte.

I came to Germany because I want to study and work here.

About Your Home

Was gefällt Ihnen an Ihrer Wohnung?
What do you like about your apartment?

Example answer:
Meine Wohnung gefällt mir, weil sie hell und gemütlich ist.

I like my apartment because it is bright and comfortable.

About Your Family

Wie oft sehen Sie Ihre Familie?
How often do you see your family?

Example answer:
Ich sehe meine Familie ungefähr zweimal im Jahr. Wir telefonieren aber oft miteinander.

I see my family about twice a year. However, we often talk on the phone.

About Learning German

Was ist schwierig beim Deutschlernen?
What is difficult when learning German?

Example answer:
Für mich ist die Grammatik manchmal schwierig, aber ich übe jeden Tag.

For me, grammar is sometimes difficult, but I practise every day.

About Your Job or Studies

Warum haben Sie diesen Beruf gewählt?
Why did you choose this profession?

Example answer:
Ich habe diesen Beruf gewählt, weil ich gerne mit Menschen arbeite.

I chose this profession because I like working with people.

About Languages

Welche Sprache möchten Sie noch lernen?
Which language would you like to learn?

Example answer:
Ich möchte noch Italienisch lernen, weil ich die italienische Kultur interessant finde.

I would like to learn Italian because I find Italian culture interesting.

Useful Phrases for TELC B1 Speaking Part 1

During the exam, you may need useful phrases to ask for clarification, show that you understand, or keep the conversation going. These expressions can help you communicate more confidently with your partner.

Asking Someone to Repeat or Speak More Slowly

Use these phrases if you do not understand a question or need your partner to repeat it.

Showing Understanding and Agreement

These phrases help you react naturally during the conversation.

Asking Follow-Up Questions

Follow-up questions make your conversation more natural and show that you are actively listening.

Useful Connecting Words for TELC B1 Speaking

Using connecting words helps you make longer answers, connect your idea, and sound more fluent during the exam. Even simple sentences sound better when you combine them with connectors.

Grammar Tip

Pay attention to word order when using connectors.

With weil, the verb normally goes to the end of the subordinate clause:

Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Deutschland arbeiten möchte.

With deshalb, the verb remains in the second position:

Ich wohne in Deutschland, deshalb lerne ich Deutsch.

These simple structures are useful for producing stronger B1 speaking answers.

Complete TELC B1 Speaking Part 1 Sample Dialogue

This TELC B1 sample dialogue shows how two candidates can combine all seven topics in a natural conversation.

The dialogue is an example for practice. You should not memorize it word for word. Instead, use it to learn useful questions, sentence structures and vocabulary that you can adapt to your own situation.

Greeting and Name

Anna: Guten Tag. Ich heiße Anna. Und wie heißen Sie?

Good afternoon. My name is Anna. And what is your name?

David: Guten Tag. Ich heiße David. Wollen wir uns duzen?

Good afternoon. My name is David. Shall we use du with each?

Anna: Ja, gern.

Yes, gladly.

Origin

Anna: Woher kommst du?

Where are you from?

David: Ich komme aus Spanien und bin in Madrid geboren. Madrid ist die Hauptstadt von Spanien und eine sehr schöne Stadt. Seit einem Jahr wohne ich in Deutschland, weil ich hier studiere. Und woher kommst du?

I come from Spain and was born in Madrid. Madrid is the capital of Spain and a very beautiful city. I have been living in Germany for one year because I study here. And where are you from?

Anna: Ich komme aus Polen, aus Warschau. Warschau ist eine große und interessante Stadt und dort leben ungefähr zwei Millionen Menschen. Seit zwei Jahren wohne ich in München und es gefällt mir hier sehr gut.

I come from Poland, from Warsaw. Warsaw is a big and interesting city and about two million people live there. I have been living in Munich for two years and I like it here very much.

Home

David: Wo wohnst du jetzt?

Where do you live now?

Anna: Ich wohne jetzt in München in einer Wohnung. Ich wohne dort mit meinem Mann zusammen und fühle mich sehr wohl. Und wo wohnst du?

I live in Munich now in an apartment. I live there with my husband and feel very comfortable. And where do you live?

David: Ich wohne in einem Haus mit meiner Familie. Das Haus liegt am Stadtrand und wir haben auch einen kleinen Garten.

I live in a house with my family. The house is located on the outskirts of the city and we also have a small garden.

Anna: Wie ist deine Wohnung?

What is your apartment like?

David: Meine Wohnung ist nicht sehr groß, aber sie ist gemütlich. Wir haben ein Wohnzimmer, zwei Schlafzimmer und einen Balkon.

My apartment is not very big, but it is comfortable. We have a living room, two bedrooms and a balcony.

Anna: Hast du einen Garten?

Do you have a garden?

David: Ja, wir haben einen kleinen Garten. Im Sommer verbringe ich dort gerne Zeit mit meiner Familie.

Yes, we have a small garden. In summer I like spending time there with my family.

Family

David: Hast du Geschwister?

Do you have siblings?

Anna: Ja, ich habe eine Schwester. Sie wohnt auch in Deutschland, aber nicht in München. Wir telefonieren oft miteinander. Und hast du Geschwister?

Yes, I have a sister. She also lives in Germany, but not in Munich. We often talk on the phone. And do you have siblings?

David: Ja, ich habe einen Bruder. Er lebt noch in Spanien bei meinen Eltern. Meine Familie wohnt also nicht in Deutschland, aber wir besuchen uns regelmäßig.

Yes, I have one brother. He still lives in Spain with my parents. So my family does not live in Germany, but we visit each other regularly.

Learning German

Anna: Wo hast du Deutsch gelernt?

Where did you learn German?

David: Ich habe Deutsch in einer Sprachschule gelernt. Dort habe ich einen Deutschkurs besucht und viel Grammatik und neue Wörter gelernt. Und wo hast du Deutsch gelernt?

I learned German at a language school. There I attended a German course and learned a lot of grammar and new words. And where did you learn German?

Anna: Ich habe Deutsch in meinem Heimatland gelernt. Später habe ich noch einen Kurs in Deutschland gemacht, um besser Deutsch zu sprechen.

I learned German in my home country. Later, I also took a course in Germany to speak German better.

Job and Studies

David: Was machst du beruflich?

What do you do for work?

Anna: Ich arbeite als Krankenschwester in einem Krankenhaus. Meine Arbeit gefällt mir, weil ich gerne Menschen helfe. Und was machst du?

I work as a nurse in a hospital. I like my job because I like helping people. And what do you do?

David: Ich studiere Informatik an der Universität. Ich interessiere mich sehr für Computer und moderne Technologien.

I study computer science at university. I am very interested in computers and modern technologies.

Languages

Anna: Welche Sprachen sprichst du?

Which languages do you speak?

David: Meine Muttersprache ist Spanisch. Außerdem spreche ich Englisch und ein bisschen Deutsch. Ich lerne Deutsch seit zwei Jahren.

My mother tongue is Spanish. In addition, I speak English and a little German. I have been learning German for two years.

Anna: Das ist interessant. Warum lernst du Deutsch?

That is interesting. Why are you learning German?

David: Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Deutschland studieren und arbeiten möchte. Außerdem finde ich die deutsche Sprache interessant.

I am learning German because I want to study and work in Germany. In addition, I find the German language interesting.

Anna: Ich spreche Polnisch, Englisch und Deutsch. Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich hier lebe und meine Deutschkenntnisse verbessern möchte.

I speak Polish, English and German. I am learning German because I live here and want to improve my German skills.

Ending the Conversation

A natural ending is enough. You do not need a special phrase.

Useful expressions:

Vielen Dank für das Gespräch.
Thank you for the conversation.

Das war alles. Vielen Dank.
That was everything. Thank you.

Danke für Ihre Antworten.
Thank you for your answers.

Danke, das war interessant.
Thank you, that was interesting.

Common German Mistakes to Avoid in TELC B1 Speaking Part 1

Small grammar mistakes are normal at B1 level, but practising common problem areas can help you speak more accurately.

Mistake 1: Using "von" instead of "aus"

❌ Ich komme von Indien.

✅ Ich komme aus Indien.

Meaning: I come from India.

Mistake 2: Wrong Article After "wohnen"

❌ Ich wohne in ein Haus.

✅ Ich wohne in einem Haus.

Meaning: I live in a house.

Explanation:

After in with a location German usually uses the dative case.

Mistake 3: Wrong Time Expression

❌ Ich lerne Deutsch seit zwei Jahre.

✅ Ich lerne Deutsch seit zwei Jahren.

Meaning: I have been learning German for two years.

Mistake 4: Forgetting the Verb

❌ Ich Ingenieur.

✅ Ich bin Ingenieur.

Meaning: I am an engineer.

Mistake 5: Giving Only One-Word Answers

❌ Examiner: Haben Sie Geschwister?

❌ Answer: Ja.

Better:

✅ Ja, ich habe eine Schwester. Sie wohnt in Berlin. - Yes, I have a sister. She lives in Berlin.

TELC B1 Speaking Part 1 Exam Tips

To perform well in TELC B1 Speaking Part 1, remember that this task is about communication, not about giving a perfect speech. You should show that you can introduce yourself, ask questions, answer naturally and keep a simple conversation going.

Keep the following tips in mind.

1. Prepare the 7 Main Topics

Be ready to talk about these topics:

• Name

• Origin

• Home and Living Situation

• Family

• Learning German

• Job or Studies

• Languages

2. Make It a Real Dialogue

Do not only answer questions. Keep the conversation going:

Ask → Answer → Add information → Ask your partner

Example:

Partner: Wo wohnst du?
Where do you live?

You: Ich wohne in München in einer Wohnung. Ich lebe dort seit zwei Jahren. Und du?
I live in Munich in an apartment. I have been living there for two years. And you?

3. Give Complete Answers

Try to answer in 2-4 sentences. Avoid very short answers.

❌ München.
✅ Ich wohne in München. Die Stadt gefällt mir sehr gut.

4. Use Simple B1 Grammar Correctly

Useful structures:

weil (because)
Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Deutschland arbeiten möchte.

seit (for / since)
Ich lerne Deutsch seit zwei Jahren.

um ... zu (in order to)
Ich lerne Deutsch, um besser zu kommunizieren.

5. Use Connecting Words

Connect your ideas with simple words such as:

• und - and

• aber - but

• weil - because

• außerdem - in addition

• deshalb - therefore

• zum Beispiel - for example

6. Ask Your Partner Questions

• Useful expressions include:

• Und du? - And you?

• Wie ist es bei dir? - How is it for you?

• Warum? - Why?

• Seit wann? - Since when?

• Wo genau? - Where exactly?

These short questions can help you turn individual answers into a real conversation.

7. Ask for Clarification if Needed

If you do not understand something, do not stay silent. Ask politely.

Formal

Könnten Sie die Frage bitte wiederholen?
Could you please repeat the question?

Könnten Sie bitte langsamer sprechen?
Could you please speak more slowly?

Informal

Kannst du die Frage bitte wiederholen?
Can you please repeat the question?

Kannst du bitte langsamer sprechen?
Can you please speak more slowly?

8. Be Prepared for Additional Questions

The examiners may ask additional questions related to the topics you have discussed.

Try to answer with a complete sentence and add a reason or extra detail when possible.

For example:

Warum lernen Sie Deutsch?

Instead of:

❌ Für die Arbeit.

Try:

✅ Ich lerne Deutsch für meine Arbeit, weil ich in Deutschland arbeiten möchte.

This gives you an opportunity to demonstrate vocabulary, grammar and your ability to communicate an idea.

Final Reminder

The goal of TELC B1 Speaking Part 1 is not perfect German. The goal is successful communication.

Prepare the seven topic areas, practise common TELC B1 speaking questions and answers, learn useful B1 speaking vocabulary and phrases and practise having short conversations with another person.

Most importantly, do not try to memorize an entire speech. Learn useful sentence structures and adapt them to your own situation. 

With regular practice you can enter the TELC B1 Sprechen Teil 1: Einander kennenlernen feeling more confident and better prepared.

Good luck with your German exam preparation! 🇩🇪