Goethe B1 Planning something together

Information on the Speaking Part Planning Something Together for Goethe

The speaking part of the Goethe B1 exam includes the topic "Planning Something Together," which plays a central role. Here, candidates demonstrate their ability to organize an activity or event with others, clearly express their opinions, make suggestions, and find compromises. This task is practical and reflects many everyday situations where decisions need to be made collectively.

How does this exam part work?

Candidates receive a brief description of a situation in which they have to plan something together — for example, an outing, a party, or a course. They exchange ideas with their partner, present their own suggestions, and respond to the partner’s proposals. The goal is to agree on a joint plan within about 4 to 5 minutes.

What skills are tested?

The focus is on communication skills: candidates should actively listen, express their own suggestions clearly, and respond to others. Problem-solving and compromise-finding abilities are also important. Perfect grammar is not the focus — clarity, structure, and a natural flow of conversation are key.

Typical topics and examples

• Planning a joint weekend trip
• Organizing a birthday party or celebration
• Agreeing on attending a language course or workshop
• Planning a group project or leisure activity
• Deciding on the food for a shared dinner

Experiences of participants

Many candidates report that they can prepare well for this part by simulating everyday situations. “I practiced planning things with friends often, and that helped me a lot,” says Maria from Berlin. Jonas from Munich adds, “It’s important to listen well and stay polite, even if you don’t agree immediately.”

Recommendations for preparation

• Practice dialogues with friends or in courses simulating activity planning
• Use common phrases like “How about…”, “I suggest…”, “Does my suggestion suit you?”
• Learn to express your opinions clearly and formulate compromises
• Focus on a natural conversation flow with questions and follow-ups
• Listen actively and respond appropriately to your partner

Expert opinion

Language trainer Olena Bazalukova emphasizes: “The ‘Planning Something Together’ part reflects real-life conversational situations and requires genuine communication skills from candidates. Those who prepare well by practicing typical situations and mastering useful phrases can perform confidently and convincingly.”

Overall, “Planning Something Together” is an important exam part that can be easily mastered with targeted practice and promotes the ability to communicate confidently and cooperatively in everyday situations.