How do you pass the A2–B1 DTZ dialogue if your partner is weak?

📌 What is this part of the exam?

In the third part of the DTZ oral exam ("Gemeinsam etwas planen"), you and your partner need to discuss a situation and agree on a plan of action. Topics can be simple: picnic, helping a friend, organizing a party, etc. Usually, 4 guiding questions are given:

• Wann?
• Wo?
• Was mitbringen?
• Wer macht was?

Each candidate must:

• suggest ideas,
• ask questions,
• agree or disagree,
• look for compromises.

⚠️ Who starts speaking?

‼️ Very important: According to exam rules, there is a clear order of who begins the conversation.

According to the official G.A.S.T. document, the examiner says before Teil 3:

This means: the person labeled as Kandidat A begins, and you cannot take the initiative without being asked.

👉 So don't interrupt or start the dialogue if you're the second one — it may be seen as a structural violation.

🛑 Problem: the partner barely speaks

Sometimes your partner:

• speaks very little,
• does not understand the task,
• is shy or gets confused with words,
• just stays silent or answers “Ja / Nein”.

💡 Good news: examiners assess each candidate individually, not as a team.

So if your partner speaks poorly, it won't lower your score if you actively participate and support the conversation.

🌟 Golden rule: speak briefly, offer solutions, and ask Zwischenfragen

The most effective strategy with a weak partner is to:

• speak briefly and clearly, one point at a time,
• immediately ask a follow-up question (Zwischenfrage) after your suggestion.

Start with the phrase:

(then slowly and clearly rephrase the situation, with the verb at the end)

Example:

This:

• helps the partner get involved, especially if they are confused after reading the task,
• keeps the structure of the dialogue — under stress, people tend to nod and say "yes",
• lets you take control of the conversation without breaking the rules.

After your partner gives a short reply, go to one of the guiding questions. For example:

🎯 The key — Zwischenfragen

Ask questions that can be answered with "yes" or "no". This keeps structure and helps your partner participate.

🔟 Zwischenfragen für DTZ Teil 3

1. Findest du das auch?
2. Bist du damit einverstanden?
3. Wäre das für dich in Ordnung?
4. Meinst du, das ist eine gute Idee?
5. Könnte das so passen?
6. Ist das für dich okay?
7. Sollen wir das so machen?
8. Gefällt dir der Vorschlag?
9. Klingt das gut für dich?
10. Würdest du das auch so machen?

🧑‍🎕 How it works

If your partner is weak, your task is to:

• Make a short suggestion on one point
  (z. B. „Wir können am Samstag lernen.“)
• Immediately ask a Zwischenfrage
• If you get a "yes" or a nod → use a standard phrase like:
  „Schön, dass du damit einverstanden bist.“
• Move on to the next point with a new suggestion and new Zwischenfrage

🔟 Standard phrases after the partner's reply

1. Schön, dass du damit einverstanden bist.
2. Ich freue mich, dass wir uns einig sind.
3. Perfekt, dann machen wir das so.
4. Gut, dass du das auch so siehst.
5. Super, dann sind wir uns ja einig.
6. Okay, das passt also für uns beide.
7. Dann können wir das so festhalten.
8. Prima, dann haben wir das geklärt.
9. Das freut mich – so machen wir’s.
10. Alles klar, dann bleibt’s dabei.

💬 Example template (if the partner is weak)

Even if the partner only says “Ja”, the examiner will see that you:

• make polite suggestions,
• structure the dialogue,
• involve your partner,
• use a cooperative strategy.

🧠 Tip from a teacher

Practice at home: choose a topic, say each point out loud + Zwischenfrage. Repeat with different questions. After 2–3 sessions, you’ll be able to use this strategy confidently — even with a totally passive partner.

✅ Conclusion

If you get a weak partner — it’s not a problem.

• Speak briefly, to the point, and always ask Zwischenfragen.
• This helps you have a "shared" conversation even if the other person barely speaks.

The most important thing is: stay friendly, patient, and structured. Examiners value that.

📋 Final summary (a must!)

This:

• adds structure,
• shows initiative,
• makes the dialogue longer.

Example:

🪟 Summary: step-by-step plan

• Kandidat A starts.
• Make one suggestion per point.
• Ask a Zwischenfrage from the list.
• If you get “yes” → use a standard phrase.
• Move to the next point.
• At the end — summarize everything you discussed.

Example of a dialogue on our website