The Goethe-Zertifikat A2 Sprechen module tests your ability to communicate in simple, everyday spoken German. At A2 level, you are expected to introduce yourself, exchange information about familiar topics, make requests, and interact in short, structured role-plays. The speaking exam is conducted with one other candidate and two examiners, and it consists of three tasks. This guide explains every task, how marks are awarded, and how to prepare confidently.
Goethe A2 Sprechen: At a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Module name | Sprechen (Oral Production and Interaction) |
| CEFR level | A2 — Elementary |
| Total marks | 15 points (out of 60 for the full A2 exam) |
| Duration | Approximately 15 minutes (pair exam) |
| Format | Pair speaking exam — you and one other candidate |
| Number of tasks | 3 tasks |
| Examiners | Two examiners: one interlocutor (speaks with you), one assessor (observes and scores) |
The Three Tasks in Goethe A2 Sprechen
Task 1 — Introduce Yourself (Sich vorstellen)
Each candidate gives a short self-introduction. The examiner may prompt with a card showing suggested topics. You speak for approximately 1-2 minutes covering:
- Your name and where you come from
- Where you live now
- Your profession or what you study
- Your family (briefly)
- One or two hobbies or interests
Example: “Ich heisse Priya Sharma. Ich komme aus Mumbai in Indien, aber ich wohne jetzt in Dusseldorf. Ich bin Ingenieurin und arbeite bei einer IT-Firma. In meiner Freizeit lese ich gern und gehe manchmal wandern.”
Key tip: Prepare this introduction in advance and practise it until it flows naturally. It is the most predictable part of the exam — there is no reason to be unprepared.
Task 2 — Getting and Giving Information
You and your partner take turns asking and answering questions about a topic from an information card. Topics typically include: holidays and travel, daily routine, school or work, food, family, sports and hobbies, or home.
The card usually prompts you with question words: Wo? Wann? Wie lange? Was? Mit wem? Warum? You ask your partner a question based on the prompt, then answer one they ask you.
| Prompt Example | Question You Ask | Possible Answer |
|---|---|---|
| “Urlaub / Wo?” | Wo machst du Urlaub? | Ich fahre nach Goa. / Ich bleibe zu Hause. |
| “Sport / Wie oft?” | Wie oft treibst du Sport? | Ich gehe zweimal pro Woche ins Fitnessstudio. |
| “Essen / Was?” | Was isst du gern? | Ich esse gern indisches Essen, aber auch Pizza. |
Task 3 — Making a Request or Asking for Help (Problem loesen)
You and your partner work together to solve a simple problem or complete a practical task — planning something, making a decision together, or agreeing on an arrangement. Topics include: planning a birthday party, deciding what to cook, arranging a meeting time, or choosing an activity.
This task tests interactive communication — you must listen to your partner, react to what they say, make suggestions, agree or disagree, and reach a conclusion together.
Useful phrases for Task 3:
- Making a suggestion: Wir koennten… / Was haltsst du von…? / Ich schlage vor…
- Agreeing: Das ist eine gute Idee. / Ja, das passt mir. / Einverstanden.
- Disagreeing politely: Hmm, ich bin nicht sicher. / Koennen wir vielleicht…? / Das geht leider nicht.
- Confirming a decision: Also, wir machen… / Gut, dann…
Scoring Criteria for Goethe A2 Sprechen
| Criterion | Marks | What Examiners Assess |
|---|---|---|
| Communicative effectiveness | 5 | Did you complete the task? Was your message understood? Did you interact naturally? |
| Vocabulary (Wortschatz) | 5 | Range and accuracy of A2-level vocabulary; ability to express basic ideas |
| Structures and Pronunciation | 5 | Basic grammatical accuracy; intelligible pronunciation; appropriate intonation |
Communicative effectiveness is the foundation. A candidate who speaks with grammatical errors but communicates clearly and naturally can still score well. A candidate who produces grammatically perfect sentences but fails to interact or answer the question scores poorly.
Common Errors in Goethe A2 Sprechen
| Error | Fix |
|---|---|
| Memorising and reciting a script | Examiners can immediately tell — it sounds unnatural. Use a framework, not a script. |
| Stopping completely when you do not know a word | Use a simpler word or describe it: “ein Geraet fuer…” (a device for…). Communication matters more than vocabulary. |
| Not reacting to your partner in Task 3 | Task 3 tests interaction. Listen actively, respond to what your partner says, build on their ideas. |
| Speaking too fast because of nervousness | Slow down deliberately. Clear, slightly slower speech is more intelligible and scores better on pronunciation. |
| Forgetting to ask your partner questions in Task 2 | Task 2 is interactive — you must both ask AND answer. One-way monologue loses marks. |
3-Week Goethe A2 Sprechen Preparation Plan
| Week | Focus | Daily Practice |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Self-introduction + vocabulary for A2 topics | Practise self-introduction aloud 3x; record and review |
| 2 | Task 2 question-answer drills; Task 3 suggestion phrases | Practise with a language partner or record both sides yourself |
| 1 | Full mock speaking exam simulation | Simulate all 3 tasks with a partner under timed conditions; review and refine |
-> Goethe A2 Horen (Listening) – Format, Task Guide, and Scoring Tips 2026
-> Goethe A2 Schreiben (Writing) – Format, Task Guide, and Scoring Tips 2026
-> How to Use Mock Tests to Pass Goethe A2 – The Complete Strategy Guide 2026
The Goethe A2 Sprechen exam tests basic human communication in German — and at A2, the bar is appropriately set for elementary learners. Candidates who prepare their self-introduction, practise the question-answer format for Task 2, and learn a small set of interaction phrases for Task 3 consistently score above 10/15. Start speaking German out loud from day one of your preparation — fluency only comes from practice, not from reading grammar books.
Ready to practice?