Goethe A2 Speaking (Sprechen): Tasks and Tips

What the A2 speaking exam looks like

The Goethe-Zertifikat A2 Sprechen takes around 15 minutes and you sit it with another candidate. Two examiners are in the room: one leads and talks to you, the other listens and scores. The paired format is deliberate — A2 speaking is about everyday interaction, so part of your job is to communicate with your partner, not only with the examiner.

You will get a short time to look at your task cards before you begin. The topics stay close to daily life: yourself, your routine, shopping, free time, and simple plans. Nothing is meant to trick you. The exam wants to see that you can handle a normal conversation at an elementary level.

The three parts of A2 Sprechen

Part 1: Introduce yourself (sich vorstellen)

You answer simple questions about yourself: name, where you live, your job or studies, languages, hobbies, and family. The examiner may ask a follow-up question, such as how to spell your name or your phone number.

Prepare a short self-introduction you can deliver smoothly. Cover: name, age or where you are from, where you live now, what you do, and one or two free-time activities. Practise it until it feels automatic, then be ready to add a detail if asked.

Useful phrases: "Ich heiße…", "Ich komme aus…", "Ich wohne in…", "Ich arbeite als…", "In meiner Freizeit…", "Mein Hobby ist…"

Part 2: Ask and answer questions on a topic

Both candidates get cards with a single theme (for example "Einkaufen" or "Freizeit") and a key word or picture on each card. You use the word to form a question for your partner, and your partner answers. Then roles switch. The aim is a natural exchange of short questions and answers.

The skill being tested is forming questions. Practise turning a key word into a question quickly. If the card says "Sport", you might ask "Machst du Sport?" or "Welchen Sport magst du?" Keep questions short and clear, and give a real answer when it is your turn rather than a one-word reply.

Useful phrases: "Was machst du gern…?", "Wie oft…?", "Magst du…?", "Wann…?", "Ich mache gern…", "Ja, sehr gern. / Nein, nicht so gern."

Part 3: Plan something together (etwas gemeinsam planen)

You and your partner organise something together — a birthday party, a day trip, a shopping list, or a visit. The card gives points you must agree on, such as when, where, and what to bring. You make suggestions, react to your partner's ideas, and reach an agreement.

This part is the most interactive, so engagement matters. Make a proposal, then respond to what your partner says instead of pushing only your own plan. Agreeing, disagreeing politely, and suggesting alternatives all show real communication.

Useful phrases: "Wollen wir…?", "Ich schlage vor, dass…", "Gute Idee.", "Vielleicht können wir…", "Lieber am Samstag?", "Einverstanden. / Das passt mir gut."

How A2 speaking is scored

Examiners assess your ability to communicate, not native-level accuracy. They look at whether you complete the task, whether people can understand you, your range of everyday vocabulary, and basic grammar. Pronunciation matters only to the extent that it affects understanding.

The practical message: keep talking. A candidate who makes small grammar mistakes but communicates clearly and interacts with their partner scores better than one who stays silent waiting for the perfect sentence. Fluency in the sense of "keeping the conversation going" is worth more than caution.

Tips that make a real difference

1. Speak to your partner, not the examiner. Look at your partner, react to their answers, and ask follow-ups. Interaction is part of the score.
2. Use your preparation time. Note key words, not full sentences. A few nouns and verbs are enough to trigger what you want to say.
3. Have reusable phrases ready. The same question and suggestion frames work across every topic. Memorise them so you do not build each sentence from scratch.
4. Ask if you do not understand. "Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?" or "Wie bitte?" is fine and shows you can manage a conversation.
5. Do not memorise long speeches. Beyond your short self-introduction, prepared monologues sound unnatural and fall apart when the topic shifts.
6. Keep it simple and finish your sentences. Short, complete sentences beat ambitious ones that collapse halfway.

Common mistakes in the A2 oral

The most frequent problem is treating Part 2 and Part 3 like a test you answer alone. Candidates give one-word answers, never ask their partner anything, or ignore what their partner just said. Because interaction is assessed, this costs points even when the German is correct.

Another common issue is freezing when a word is missing. At A2 you can work around gaps: describe the thing, use a simpler word, or ask your partner. Silence is the only real mistake. Finally, watch the basics that examiners notice — verb position and the right article — but never let grammar worry stop you from speaking.

How to practise

Speaking improves only by speaking. Find a partner — a classmate, a tutor, or a language exchange — and run through the three parts out loud. Record yourself, then listen for long pauses, repeated errors, and unclear moments. Rehearse your self-introduction until it is effortless, and drill question-forming from single key words.

Pair this with the rest of your preparation. The A2 format guide shows how Sprechen fits the whole exam, and A2 vocabulary themes give you the words each speaking topic needs.