About Me – Introducing Yourself in the Telc B1 Exam

Requirements for the Oral Part "About Me" – Introducing Yourself

The oral telc B1 exam begins with the section "About Me". This phase is very important, as it allows participants to demonstrate that they can give basic personal information freely and coherently in German. This part of the exam lasts about one to two minutes and is usually presented as a short monologue – without questions from the examiners or partner.

What is the "About Me" section about?

In this part of the exam, each person introduces themselves. The examiners do not expect perfect grammar but clear and understandable sentences at the B1 level. The goal is to mention the most important facts about oneself and present them in a simple yet logical way.

What should you talk about?

You can structure your self-introduction freely, but it should include certain key topics. A useful structure may include:

• Name and age
• Origin and place of residence
• Family or living situation
• Job or education
• Language skills
• Hobbies and free time activities
• Goals or future plans

How to prepare effectively

• Practice your introduction regularly using a timer
• Write down keywords, but don’t memorize full sentences
• Speak slowly and clearly
• Use typical phrases such as: “Ich wohne in …”, “Ich arbeite als …”, “In meiner Freizeit …”
• Try to use simple main and subordinate clauses

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Speaking too briefly or too long – aim for about 60–90 seconds
• Only listing words – instead, create connected sentences
• Too much repetition – vary your sentence beginnings
• Speaking too fast – speaking slowly sounds more confident and is easier to understand

Participant experiences

Many test takers say they feel more comfortable in the "About Me" part than during the partner speaking task. “I knew exactly what I wanted to say because I had practiced it often,” says Amir from Stuttgart. Anna from Leipzig also found this part helpful: “It was nice that I could just talk about my life. That gave me confidence.” Others say it is important not to be too nervous – because examiners do not judge every detail here, but rather focus on the overall impression.

Our recommendation

We recommend preparing for your self-introduction step by step: first with notes, then as a short written text, and finally as free speech. The more you practice, the more natural your language will sound. Good preparation in this part also helps build confidence for the rest of the exam. It can be very helpful to record yourself with your phone – this allows you to improve your pronunciation, pace, and clarity.

Expert opinion

Language coach Olena Bazalukova emphasizes the importance of this part of the exam: “A clear and friendly introduction often has more impact than perfect grammar. Those who prepare well and speak in simple, complete sentences have a great chance of starting the exam positively.”

Overall, the "About Me" section is an excellent opportunity to present yourself confidently and sympathetically – and to make a strong first impression.