Master the A1 Speaking Part: Your "Introduce Yourself" Cheat Sheet

The Sprechen module is usually the scariest part of the Goethe A1 exam. You’re in a room with three other nervous students and two examiners. But here is a secret: It is the most predictable part of the entire test.

In the first part, you have to introduce yourself using a list of keywords. If you memorize this "template," you’ve already secured your first points before the exam even really starts.

1. The Introduction (Sich vorstellen)

You will see a list of words on the table: Name, Alter, Land, Wohnort, Sprachen, Beruf, Hobby. Here is your "Standard Script":

• Name: "Ich heiße [Your Name]."
• Alter: "Ich bin [Age] Jahre alt." (Remember: Jahre, not years!)
• Land: "Ich komme aus [Country]."
• Wohnort: "Ich wohne in [City]."
• Sprachen: "Ich spreche Englisch und ein bisschen Deutsch."
• Beruf: "Ich bin [Job title, e.g., Student / Lehrer / Ingenieur]."
• Hobby: "Meine Hobbys sind Lesen und Schwimmen." (Or: "Mein Hobby ist Kochen.")

2. The Curveball: Spelling and Numbers

After your intro, the examiner will ask you two follow-up questions to test if you know the alphabet and numbers.

• Spelling: "Buchstabieren Sie bitte Ihren Familiennamen."

  • Pro Tip: Practice the letters E, I, J, G, V, and W—English speakers mix these up the most!

• Numbers: "Wie ist Ihre Telefonnummer?" or "Wie ist Ihre Postleitzahl (zip code)?"

  • Pro Tip: Say the numbers individually (e.g., eins, acht, null...) rather than trying to say "eight-hundred." It's easier and perfectly acceptable.

3. Asking Questions with Word Cards

In the second part, you pick a card with a theme (e.g., Thema: Frühstück) and a word (e.g., Kaffee). You must ask your partner a question.

• Simple Formula: "Trinken Sie gerne Kaffee zum Frühstück?"
• Your Partner's Answer: "Ja, gerne." or "Nein, lieber Tee."

4. Making Requests with Picture Cards

In the final part, you get a picture (e.g., a bottle of water). You need to make a request (Bitte).

• The Magic Phrase: "Geben Sie mir bitte das Wasser?" or "Haben Sie ein Glas Wasser für mich?"
• The Response: "Ja, bitte sehr." or "Hier, bitte."

The Golden Rule: Keep it simple! The examiners aren't looking for complex philosophy; they want to see that you can handle basic social interaction.

Want to hear how these phrases should sound? Head over to our Audio Lab!

Which part of the speaking exam sounds the hardest to you? Let’s practice in the comments! Drop your "Introduction Script" below and I'll give you feedback.