GCSE German Speaking Exam: Comprehensive Guide for Foundation & Higher Students

Preparing for the GCSE German speaking exam (the oral exam) can feel daunting, but with the right approach, you can excel. This comprehensive guide is designed for both Foundation and Higher Tier students and covers all three components of the exam: Role-Play, Photo Card, and General Conversation. We’ll break down what’s expected in each section, provide example questions with sample answers, highlight key vocabulary and phrases, and share examiner tips to boost your confidence.

Whether you’re aiming for a Grade 9 or just hoping to pass, these tips will help you communicate clearly and impress the examiners. Los geht’s! (Let’s get started!)

How to achieve a 9 in your GCSE speaking exam

Understanding the Exam Format (Foundation vs Higher)

The GCSE German speaking test is divided into three parts taken back-to-back in one exam session:

• Role-Play: A simulated conversation based on a prompt card.

• Photo Card: A discussion prompted by a photo on a given card.

• General Conversation: A broader discussion on two of the main GCSE themes.

For Foundation Tier students, the exam lasts about 7–9 minutes, and for Higher Tier it’s 10–12 minutes. The structure of tasks is the same, but Higher Tier questions may demand more detail or complex language. Key differences include the timing and depth of responses expected:

• Role-Play: ~1 minute at Foundation vs ~2 minutes at Higher. The scenarios are everyday situations (e.g. at a shop, making plans) with straightforward prompts at Foundation and slightly more open-ended prompts at Higher.

• Photo Card: ~2 minutes at Foundation vs ~3 minutes at Higher. Both tiers answer five questions about the photo (including describing the image and responding to related topics), but Higher students may get an extra unexpected question requiring a bit more detail.

• General Conversation: ~3–5 minutes at Foundation vs ~5–7 minutes at Higher. Examiners will cover two of the GCSE themes (e.g. Identity and Culture, Local and Global Areas, or School and Future Plans). Foundation candidates can expect more familiar, direct questions, whereas Higher candidates should be ready for broader questions that invite opinions, past/future tenses, and detailed answers.

Preparation Time: Before the speaking exam, you get 12 minutes of preparation time to read your role-play and photo card and make notes. Use this time wisely to brainstorm answers and questions to ask (you are required to ask the examiner at least one question during the exam, typically on the role-play or in the conversation). No dictionary is allowed, and you cannot write on the cards – use scrap paper for notes.

Marking: All parts are recorded and later marked by examiners. They will assess communication, vocabulary range, grammatical accuracy, pronunciation, and how well you respond to unexpected questions. So focus on speaking clearly and using the best German you can for your level.

Examiner’s Tip: Stay calm and speak up! If you didn’t catch something, politely ask “Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?” (Could you repeat that, please?). It’s much better to clarify than to give no answer.

Before diving into each section, remember that practice is key. Work with classmates or a tutor to simulate the exam. (If you need extra support, consider joining our GCSE German revision courses at Olesen Tuition – our expert tutors have helped 95% of our students achieve grades 9 or 8!) Now, let’s look at each part of the speaking exam in detail.

The Role-Play Task (Situational Conversation)

The role-play is the first task of the speaking exam. It tests your ability to communicate in everyday situations using German. You’ll be given a role-play card that sets the scene (for example, booking a hotel room or talking to a German exchange partner about your school). On the card, there will be five prompts:

• Three bullet points with information or questions you must respond to (you can prepare these during the 12-minute prep time).

• One bullet point with a ‘?’ – this indicates you will need to ask a question to the examiner.

• One unexpected prompt (often indicated by “!” or given as a scenario) – the examiner will ask you an unforeseen question related to the scenario, to which you should respond on the spot.

What’s Expected in the Role-Play

During the role-play (about 1–2 minutes long, depending on tier), the examiner will play along as the other person in the scenario. You are expected to:

• Convey key information briefly and clearly. Give short, accurate answers or questions addressing each bullet point. Full sentences are best, but they don’t have to be very long.

• Use appropriate language for the situation. For instance, use polite forms when speaking to a stranger or adult (e.g. “Könnte ich bitte…?” for “Could I please...?”).

• Ask one question in German when prompted by the “?” on your card. This is crucial – prepare a question word like “Wann…?” (When…?) or “Wie viel…?” (How much…?) as required by the prompt.

• Handle an unexpected question. Don’t panic if the examiner asks something you didn’t write down. Use your general knowledge of the topic to respond. If you don’t understand the question, ask for repetition (“Entschuldigung, noch einmal bitte.”).

Even if your grammar isn’t perfect, try to communicate something for every prompt – you’ll get credit for attempting. Remember, clarity and communication are more important than complexity in the role-play. A simple, correct answer beats a long but incorrect one.

Examiner’s Tip: If you blank out, use a stalling phrase in German to buy time, such as “Moment, bitte…” (One moment, please…) or “Gute Frage…” (Good question…). This shows the examiner you’re still engaging and gives you a second to think.

Example Role-Play Q&A

To give you a taste, here are a couple of example prompts and how a student might respond:

• Scenario: Talking about your family with a host parent in Germany.

  • Prompt on card: “Familie – beschreiben” (Describe your family)You could say: „Meine Familie ist ziemlich groß. Ich habe zwei Schwestern und einen Bruder.”

  • Prompt on card: “Mit wem verstehst du dich gut?” (With whom do you get along well?) Possible answer: „Ich verstehe mich am besten mit meinem Bruder, weil er sehr lustig ist.”

  • Prompt on card: “?” (Ask the host parent a question about their family) You could ask: „Haben Sie auch Kinder?“ (Do you have children?) – Note the formal “Sie” for someone you don’t know well.

• Scenario: Buying a train ticket at a station.

  • Prompt: “Ticket nach Berlin – Preis?” (Ask about the price of a ticket to Berlin.)You ask: „Entschuldigung, wie viel kostet eine Fahrkarte nach Berlin?”

  • Prompt (examiner’s unexpected question): “Einfach oder hin und zurück?” (One-way or return?)You respond: „Hin und zurück, bitte.” (Round trip, please.)

  • Prompt: “Reise – mit wem?” (With whom are you traveling?) Answer: „Ich reise allein.” (I’m traveling alone.)

These examples show the short question-and-answer style of the role-play. Notice how the answers are straightforward and relevant to the question asked. That’s exactly what examiners want in this section.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases for Role-Play

Having a toolbox of useful phrases will help you handle most role-play scenarios. Here are some key words and expressions to practice:

• Question Words: wer (who), was (what), wann (when), wo (where), wie (how), warum (why), wie viel (how much), welche(r/s) (which), wohin (where to).*(Tip: Know these well, both to understand the examiner’s questions and to form your own question for the "?" prompt.)

• Polite Phrases (for requests or questions):„Könnte ich bitte…?“ (Could I please…?)„Ich hätte gern…“ (I would like…)„Entschuldigung…“ (Excuse me, …) – e.g. „Entschuldigung, wo ist der Bahnhof?“ (Excuse me, where is the train station?)„Wie viel kostet…?“ (How much does ... cost?)

• Responses and Extras:„Ja, gern.“ (Yes, gladly/of course.)„Nein, leider nicht.“ (No, unfortunately not.)„Das ist alles.“ (That’s all.) – Useful in shopping/ordering scenarios.Fillers: „Also…“ (Well, …), „Ich muss überlegen…“ (I have to think …) – to buy time if needed.

• Dealing with the Unexpected:„Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?“ (Could you repeat that, please?)„Was bedeutet...?“ (What does ... mean?) – Use this if a keyword in the question confuses you.If you completely don’t know an answer, a phrase like „Tut mir leid, das weiß ich nicht.“ (I’m sorry, I don’t know that.) at least shows a response – but use this sparingly; it’s better to attempt an answer.

By practising these phrases, you’ll feel more prepared to handle whatever situation comes up in the role-play. For even more examples and practice scenarios, check out our dedicated guide How to Prepare for the GCSE German Role Play, which provides theme-based prompts and model answers you can use for practice.

The Photo Card Task (Describing and Discussing a Photo)

The photo card is the second part of the speaking exam. It’s designed to test your ability to describe an image and discuss related topics in German. You will be shown a photo linked to one of the GCSE themes (for example, a family at dinner for the "Identity and Culture" theme, or a city street for the "Local Area/Environment" theme). The examiner will then ask you five questions about it.

Typically, the five questions include:

1. Describe the photo. (“Was gibt es auf dem Foto?” or “Beschreib das Bild.”)

2. Two prepared questions printed on the card (you can see these during prep time).

3. Two unexpected questions related to the broader theme of the photo (not written on the card, so you’ll answer on the fly).

The photo card section lasts around 2–3 minutes. It follows immediately after the role-play.

What’s Expected in the Photo Card

For the photo task, you should:

• Give a detailed description of the picture in German. This is your opening response to “Describe the photo.” Aim for 3-4 sentences if possible: who/what is in the picture, what they are doing, where they are, and maybe an opinion or guess about it. This sets the scene.

• Answer the follow-up questions clearly. The next questions will relate to the theme of the photo. For example, if the theme is Family: “How do you get on with your family?” or if the theme is Environment: “What are the environmental problems in your city?”. Use the prep time notes for the two you saw in advance, and be ready to improvise answers for the unpredictable ones.

• Use appropriate tenses. Often, one of the unpredictable questions might ask about the past or future (e.g. “What did you do last weekend?” or “What will you do in the holidays?”). Be prepared to switch to past tense (Perfekt or Imperfekt) or future forms (using werde or möchte) in your answers.

• Speak in full sentences and give opinions. Even at Foundation, try to add an opinion or reason if you can, especially for questions about likes/dislikes or what you think about something (“Ich denke, dass…” – I think that...). This can impress examiners and score higher for communication.

Importantly, don’t just list objects in the photo—connect them into sentences. Also, if you aren’t sure of a specific word (say you forget “tractor” in a photo of a farm), you can work around it (“ein großes Fahrzeug auf dem Feld” – a big vehicle in the field). Showing you can circumnavigate gaps in vocabulary is a great skill.

Examiner’s Tip: For the photo description, imagine you’re painting a picture with words. Cover the basics (who, where, what) before small details. And include an opinion if possible: e.g. “Es sieht aus, als hätten sie Spaß” (It looks like they’re having fun) or “Ich finde, das wirkt sehr chaotisch” (I find it looks very chaotic) – this helps showcase your expressive ability.

How to Describe a Photo Like a Pro

Not sure how to structure your description? Here’s a simple 5-step formula that works for any photo:

1. Starter: Begin with “Auf dem Bild sehe ich…” (On the picture I see…). – This introduces that you’re describing what you see.

2. People/Objects: Mention who or what is visible. “Man sieht eine Frau und zwei Kinder…” (One sees a woman and two children…) or “Es gibt viele Leute…” (There are many people…).

3. Actions: Say what they are doing using the present tense. “…die in einem Restaurant essen.” (…who are eating in a restaurant.) or “Sie lachen und sprechen miteinander.” (They are laughing and talking with each other.)

4. Location/Background: Describe where or the context. “Im Hintergrund ist ein Park/ befindet sich ein Haus.” (In the background, there is a park/there is a house.) or “Draußen/Drinnen…” (Outside/inside … depending on the scene).

5. Opinion or Guess (optional but great for higher marks): Add what you think about it or what might be happening. “Ich glaube, es ist Sommer, weil die Sonne scheint.” (I believe it’s summer because the sun is shining.) or “Es scheint, als ob sie glücklich wären.” (It seems as if they are happy.)

Using this structure, your description might sound like: “Auf dem Bild sehe ich drei Schüler. Sie sitzen in einem Klassenzimmer und schreiben etwas auf. Im Hintergrund gibt es eine Tafel und einige Regale mit Büchern. Wahrscheinlich machen sie gerade ihre Hausaufgaben. Ich denke, dass die Stimmung konzentriert ist, weil alle ruhig sind.” This would be a solid description covering all bases.

Practice describing random photos to build this skill. Remember, use present tense for what’s happening in the photo, and if you speculate or give an opinion, phrases like “Ich denke, dass…” or “Es sieht so aus, als ob…” are very useful.

Example Photo Card Questions & Answers

Let’s look at a few sample questions that could come up with a photo card, along with brief answers:

• Q: “Was gibt es auf dem Bild?” (What is in the picture?)A: “Auf dem Bild sehe ich eine Familie am Esstisch. Zwei Kinder und ihre Eltern essen zusammen und lachen.”(On the picture I see a family at the dining table. Two children and their parents are eating together and laughing.)Explanation: This is a classic first question. Notice the answer used the formula: who (family), where (at the table), what doing (eating together, laughing).

• Q: “Wie verstehst du dich mit deiner Familie?” (How do you get along with your family?)A: “Ich verstehe mich gut mit meinen Eltern, weil sie unterstützend und freundlich sind. Natürlich streite ich manchmal mit meinem Bruder, aber im Großen und Ganzen kommen wir gut aus.”(I get along well with my parents because they are supportive and friendly. Of course I sometimes argue with my brother, but overall we get on well.)Explanation: This question is related to the Identity and Relationships theme. The answer gives an opinion and a reason, which is great. It also uses weil to justify.

• Q: “Was hast du letztes Wochenende mit deinen Freunden gemacht?” (What did you do with your friends last weekend?)A: “Letztes Wochenende sind wir ins Kino gegangen und haben einen neuen Actionfilm gesehen. Danach haben wir in einem Café Eis gegessen. Es war wirklich lustig.”(Last weekend we went to the cinema and watched a new action film. Afterwards we ate ice cream in a café. It was really fun.)Explanation: Here the question prompts a past tense answer. The student uses the Perfect tense (sind gegangen / haben gesehen / haben gegessen) correctly and adds a personal opinion at the end (wirklich lustig).

• Q: “Was sollte man für die Umwelt tun?” (What should people do for the environment?)A: “Meiner Meinung nach sollte man mehr recyceln und das Auto weniger benutzen. Zum Beispiel könnte jeder öfter mit dem Rad fahren oder öffentliche Verkehrsmittel nehmen, um Luftverschmutzung zu reduzieren.”(In my opinion people should recycle more and use the car less. For example, everyone could cycle more often or take public transport to reduce air pollution.)Explanation: A question like this ties to an Environment-themed photo (perhaps the picture was of traffic or litter). The answer gives a recommendation (sollte) and an example, showing the student can discuss broader issues.

These examples show the range: descriptive, personal, past tense, opinion. In your exam, you might get one of each type. Practising each category will prepare you well. For a more in-depth look at tackling the photo card, read our blog post How to Prepare for

the GCSE German Photo Card Speaking Task, which offers additional sample questions and answers by theme.)

Key Vocabulary & Phrases for Photo Cards

It helps to have ready vocabulary related to common GCSE themes, as any of the themes could appear in the photo card. Here’s a selection of useful words and phrases organised by popular topics:

• Describing People & Activities:die Leute (people), ein Mann / eine Frau / ein Kind (a man / a woman / a child), viele Leute (many people), Familie (family), Freunde (friends), Schüler (students).lächeln (to smile), lachen (to laugh), sprechen (to speak), spielen (to play), arbeiten (to work), lesen (to read).im Freien (outdoors), drinnen (indoors), im Park / im Haus / in der Schule (in the park/house/school).

• Opinion and Speculation Phrases:„Ich denke, dass…“ (I think that...), „Ich glaube…“ (I believe...), „Es scheint, als ob…“ (It seems as if...), „Vielleicht…“ (maybe/perhaps...).„Meiner Meinung nach…“ (In my opinion...), „...weil…“ (because...) – Always great to justify an opinion: “Es sieht spaßig aus, weil alle lachen.”

• Theme: Family & Relationships (if the photo is about people):die Eltern (parents), die Geschwister (siblings), sich verstehen mit (to get along with), sich streiten (to argue), freundlich (friendly), streng (strict).(E.g. “Ich verstehe mich gut mit meinem Vater. Er ist sehr freundlich.”)

• Theme: School & Work (if the photo is school-related):das Klassenzimmer (classroom), die Schüler (students), der Lehrer (teacher), lernen (to learn/study), die Prüfung (exam), Hausaufgaben (homework).“Sie arbeiten am Computer – vielleicht machen sie Hausaufgaben.”

• Theme: Environment (if the photo shows nature or city):die Umwelt (environment), die Verschmutzung (pollution), das Recycling (recycling), der Verkehr (traffic), das Auto (car), das Fahrrad (bicycle), sauber (clean), schmutzig (dirty).“Man sieht viel Verkehr auf der Straße – die Luftverschmutzung ist bestimmt ein Problem.”

• Theme: Free Time & Hobbies (if the photo shows leisure):Sport treiben (do sports), Musik hören (listen to music), tanzen (dance), chillen (relax), das Konzert (concert), das Fest (festival).“Auf dem Bild spielen Leute Fußball im Park – Sport treiben macht ihnen Spaß.”

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, but knowing these words will cover a lot of ground. For a full breakdown of vocabulary by theme and more practice sentences, you might want to download our GCSE German Revision Guide (covering core themes and phrases) available on our website.

Examiner’s Tip: When answering photo card questions, listen carefully to the question words. If you hear “Was…?”, your answer should describe what. If you hear “Wie…?” (How?), your answer might be an opinion or description of manner. For “Warum…?” (Why?), be ready to give a reason (use weil to connect). This will ensure you’re answering what’s actually asked. And if a question catches you off guard, take a breath and use a filler like “Hmm, also…” – then do your best. It’s better to attempt an answer than to say nothing.

Lastly, remember to speak fluidly and confidently. Even if you make a small mistake, keep going – the examiner is looking at the overall communication. You’ve got this!

The General Conversation (Free Topic Discussion)

The general conversation is the final and longest section of the speaking exam. Once you’ve completed the role-play and photo card, you’ll dive into a conversation with your examiner that lasts about 3–5 minutes (Foundation) or 5–7 minutes (Higher). This is your chance to really show off your speaking skills across one or two themes of your choice and/or the examiner’s choice.

How it works: Before the exam, you’ll likely have indicated a preferred theme for your conversation (depending on exam board instructions). The examiner will start with that theme – for example, Theme 1: Identity and Culture. After a few minutes, they will switch to another theme (ensuring that across the photo card and conversation, two different themes are covered). They will ask you a range of questions, similar to what you’ve practised in class or seen in past papers, covering past, present, future, and opinion-based topics.

What’s Expected in the Conversation

During the general conversation, you should:

• Give longer, detailed answers than in the role-play or photo card. This is a discussion, not a quick Q&A. Aim to respond with a few sentences for each question, expanding your answers with reasons, examples, or little anecdotes.

• Show a range of tenses and structures. The examiner will deliberately ask some questions about the past (to hear your past tense), about future plans (future tense or conditional), and your opinions (to hear you use phrases like “Ich finde…” or subjunctive like “Ich würde gern…” for Higher tier). Using connecting words (und, aber, weil, obwohl) to make complex sentences will boost your marks at Higher Tier.

• Maintain a conversation flow. It’s okay to add something beyond the question. If you’ve answered and have more to say, go ahead and say it! Likewise, don’t be afraid to volunteer an interesting detail. The examiner might ask follow-up questions based on something you said – that’s a good sign that it’s becoming a natural conversation.

• Ask a question back, if appropriate. While not always mandatory beyond the role-play, it can leave a great impression if you ask the examiner a simple question related to the topic. For example, if you’re discussing holidays, you could ask “Und Sie, wohin fahren Sie gern in Urlaub?” (And you, where do you like to go on holiday?). This kind of initiative shows confidence and spontaneity (just make sure you use Sie form for the examiner). Note: Some exam boards (like AQA) expect you to ask at least one question of the examiner in the conversation if you didn’t already during the photo card, so it’s a good habit to have one ready.

• Stay on topic. It’s good to expand, but make sure you’re still addressing the question. If asked “Was machst du gern am Wochenende?” (What do you like to do on weekends?), and you start talking about your future career, that’s going off track. You could mention one thing about future (“…und nächstes Wochenende werde ich…”) but keep it relevant.

• Handle tricky questions calmly. If you get a question you don’t understand at all, you can ask for it to be rephrased: “Könnten Sie die Frage anders formulieren?” (Could you phrase the question differently?) – a very handy phrase for Higher students especially. Or simply: “Wie bitte? Könnten Sie das nochmal sagen?” (Pardon? Could you say that again?). The examiner will usually simplify or repeat. This is absolutely fine to do – it’s much better than giving an unrelated answer or none at all.

The conversation is usually on familiar topics you’ve covered: family, free time, technology, school, holidays, future plans, environment, etc. So with good revision of your vocabulary and ideas on these themes, you will be prepared.

Examiner’s Tip: Don’t memorize a script and recite it – examiners can tell if an answer is pre-learned and not genuine. It’s okay to have phrases or examples ready, but try to sound natural, as if you’re really having a chat about the topic. If you get a question you have a memorised answer for, great – just deliver it naturally. If not, you have the tools (vocab and phrases) to build an answer on the spot.

Example General Conversation Questions & Answers

Here are some typical general conversation questions for both Foundation and Higher, with sample answers showing how you might respond:

• Q: “Was machst du gern in deiner Freizeit?” (What do you like to do in your free time?)A: “In meiner Freizeit höre ich sehr gern Musik und ich spiele Gitarre. Außerdem treffe ich mich am Wochenende oft mit Freunden im Park oder wir gehen ins Kino, wenn ein neuer Film herauskommt. Musik ist mein größtes Hobby, weil ich es entspannend finde.”Why this is good: The student gives a couple of activities (listening to music, playing guitar, meeting friends, going to cinema) and even adds a reason at the end (why they like music). They used “weil ich es entspannend finde” to connect an opinion.

• Q: “Beschreib deine Schule.” (Describe your school.)A: “Meine Schule ist eine gemischte Gesamtschule mit etwa 1000 Schülern. Wir haben viele moderne Klassenzimmer und sogar zwei Computerräume. Mein Lieblingsort ist die Bibliothek, weil ich gern in Ruhe lese. Die Atmosphäre an meiner Schule ist meistens freundlich, aber natürlich gibt es auch ein paar strenge Regeln.”Note: This answer describes and gives an opinion. It covers size, facilities, personal favorite place, and a general comment. For Higher tier, the student could expand with an anecdote or a comparison (e.g. how the school has changed).

• Q: “Was war dein schönstes Erlebnis in den letzten Ferien?” (What was your nicest experience in the last holidays?) – Higher tier style (complex question)A: “Letzten Sommer bin ich mit meiner Familie nach Spanien gereist. Am besten war der Tag, an dem wir Barcelona besucht haben. Wir haben die Sagrada Familia besichtigt – das war beeindruckend! Danach sind wir an den Strand gegangen und ich habe im Mittelmeer geschwommen. Dieser Tag war wirklich unvergesslich für mich.”Highlights: Past tense throughout for a narrative, specific details (Barcelona, Sagrada Familia, swimming in the Mediterranean) to make it interesting, and a concluding sentence with an opinion (unvergesslich – unforgettable).

• Q: “Was möchtest du in Zukunft beruflich machen, und warum?” (What would you like to do for a career in the future, and why?)A: “In Zukunft möchte ich Ärztin werden, weil ich gern Menschen helfe. Mein Lieblingsfach in der Schule ist Biologie, daher denke ich, dass Medizin zu studieren gut für mich wäre. Natürlich weiß ich, dass das ein langer Weg ist, aber ich bin bereit, hart dafür zu arbeiten.”Why this works: Uses möchte...werden for ambition, gives reason with weil, connects with a school subject to show insight, and adds a comment about the challenge and determination. This is a solid Higher-tier answer showing maturity of thought.

These examples illustrate the level of depth you should aim for. Foundation answers might be a bit shorter (“Ich höre Musik und treffe Freunde. Das macht Spaß.” – which is okay), but if you can add more, do it. Higher answers should try to use varied vocabulary and structures (notice the use of daher in one answer, or natürlich to start a sentence, etc., which make the language more interesting).

Key Tips and Phrases for the Conversation

• Connectives and Flow Words: Using words like und (and), aber (but), außerdem (besides/furthermore), zum Beispiel (for example), auf der einen Seite... auf der anderen Seite... (on one hand... on the other hand...) will help structure your answer and impress the examiner.Example: “Ich mache gern Sport, aber ich lese auch viel. Außerdem koche ich manchmal, zum Beispiel italienische Gerichte.”

• Opinion Phrases: Be ready to express your opinions and feelings:„Ich finde…“ (I find...), „Ich denke, dass…“ (I think that...), „Meiner Meinung nach…“ (in my opinion...), „Ich bin der Meinung, dass…“ (I’m of the opinion that...).Also agreeing or disagreeing: „Ich stimme zu“ (I agree), or „Das stimmt (nicht)“ (That’s (not) true).

• Past & Future Tense Helpers:Past: Use “Letztes Jahr/Letztes Wochenende habe ich…” (Last year/last weekend I ...), “Als ich jünger war, …” (When I was younger, ...). These introduce a past narrative nicely.Future: Use “Nächstes Jahr werde ich…” (Next year I will...), “In der Zukunft möchte ich…” (In the future I would like...), “Ich habe vor, ... zu ...” (I intend to ...). These phrases signal you’re talking about future plans or ambitions, which examiners listen for.

• If You Don’t Understand or Need a Moment:“Können Sie die Frage wiederholen, bitte?” (Could you repeat the question, please?)“Ich habe die Frage nicht ganz verstanden.” (I didn’t quite understand the question.)“Das ist eine gute Frage…” (That’s a good question...) – gives you a second to think.“Hmm, mal sehen…” (Hmm, let’s see...) – another stalling phrase. These are lifesavers if you need them. Better to use a phrase like this than to fall completely silent. It shows you’re still engaged.

• Stay Positive and Polite: It’s normal to feel nervous, but try to maintain a friendly tone. Smile and greet the examiner at the start (“Guten Tag. Ich bin bereit.” – Good day. I’m ready.). At the end, you can say “Danke schön.” (Thank you very much.) As the exam concludes, not for marks, just good etiquette!

Lastly, remember that the general conversation is as much a test of endurance as of skill – keep your energy up, stay interested in the questions, and don’t give up if one question doesn’t go perfectly. Each question is a new opportunity to shine.

Final Tips and Encouragement

You now have a breakdown of each section of the GCSE German speaking exam and what it takes to do well. Here are some final pieces of advice as you prepare for exam day:

• Practice regularly: Speaking is a skill – the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Practice answering questions with a friend, family member, or tutor. Simulate the exam conditions with a timer. The more familiar it feels, the less anxious you’ll be. Our online and London-based GCSE German lessons can provide a structured speaking practice every week.

• Use resources: Take advantage of revision guides and downloadable resources. For example, vocabulary lists by theme, sample role-play prompts, and past photo cards are extremely useful. Olesen Tuition provides many free resources on our blog and website to reinforce what you need for each topic.

• Get feedback: If possible, have someone fluent in German listen to your answers and correct major mistakes. Little errors won’t ruin your grade, but fixing recurring issues (like word order or tense) can bump you to the next level.

• Plan your basics: Know how you will start your photo description, know at least one question to ask the examiner, and have a few favourite phrases ready (opinion phrases, fillers, etc.). This preparation acts like a safety net.

• Stay calm and positive: On the day, nerves are normal. Take deep breaths, and remember that your examiner truly wants you to do well. They will prompt you if you go silent and will generally be friendly. If you mispronounce a word or use a wrong verb form, just keep going. What matters is that you communicated an idea. Oftentimes, showing confidence (or even pretended confidence) can make minor mistakes less noticeable.

• Time management in responses: If you tend to ramble, be mindful to wrap up your answer so the examiner can ask the next question (especially in the photo card, which is only a couple of minutes). Conversely, if you give an extremely short answer and the examiner is looking at you expectantly, try to add another sentence or two rather than ending awkwardly. They’re giving you a chance to elaborate.

• Enjoy it if you can: This might sound strange, but try to view the speaking exam as a chance to have a conversation about yourself, your views, and your experiences. You get to show off what you’ve learned. When else do you get a captive audience who has to listen to you talk about your hobbies or your holidays for several minutes? 😄 Treat it like a chat (albeit a formal one) and it might not feel so scary.

In conclusion, prepare well, practice often, and go into your GCSE German speaking exam with confidence. You have all the tools you need to succeed in the role-play, photo card, and conversation. This guide covered the expectations, examples, vocabulary, and tips – now it’s up to you to put them into action.

Viel Glück und viel Erfolg! (Good luck and much success!) Remember, every great German speaker started where you are now. With preparation and a positive attitude, you’ll shine on exam day.

Ready to boost your German speaking skills even further? 🚀 If you want expert guidance, Olesen Tuition offers tailored GCSE German revision courses and one-on-one lessons, both online and in London. Our experienced, Oxford-educated tutors help you master exam techniques for role-plays, photo cards, and conversations. We also provide downloadable practice materials and mock exams to build your confidence. Contact us to book a session or learn more about our courses. Let us help you turn your target grade into a reality! 🙌

You might also be interested in my guide to scoring a 9 in GCSE German and my tips on how to excel in the GCSE German listening, reading and writing papers, how to master translations in the GCSE German exam, and the 10 most important German grammar topics to revise for GCSE German exams.