The oral part of the TELC B1 exam (Mündliche Prüfung) often causes the most anxiety for candidates. Understanding exactly how the examiners award points can significantly reduce this stress and help you focus on what really matters.
The oral exam is typically taken with a partner and graded by two licensed examiners.
The Four Grading Criteria
The examiners evaluate your performance across three tasks (Kontaktaufnahme, Gespräch über ein Thema, Gemeinsam etwas planen) using four main criteria.
1. Ausdrucksfähigkeit (Expression)
This measures whether your vocabulary is appropriate for a B1 level and whether you can express your thoughts clearly.
- Do you use varied vocabulary? Say "Ich bin der Meinung, dass..." instead of always saying "Ich denke...".
- Can you paraphrase? If you don't know a word, can you describe what you mean?
2. Aufgabenbewältigung (Task Fulfillment)
This is about how well you complete the specific task given to you.
- Did you address all the points in the prompt?
- Are you actively participating? Taking the initiative to ask your partner questions is positively graded.
3. Formale Richtigkeit (Grammar and Form)
Examiners check your grammar, syntax, and sentence structure.
- It does NOT have to be perfect. At B1, mistakes are expected. You lose points only if mistakes impede communication.
- Use connectors. Using conjunctions like weil, dass, obwohl, trotzdem shows B1-level complexity.
4. Aussprache und Intonation (Pronunciation and Intonation)
Can the examiners and your partner understand you without straining?
- Clarity over accent. You are not expected to sound like a native speaker. The goal is intelligibility.
- Word stress and sentence melody. Ask questions with a rising intonation and make sure your sentence rhythm is natural.
Scoring Breakdown
In each category, you are given a grade from A (full points) to D (very few points).
- A: Meets the B1 standard fully.
- B: Mostly meets the standard (minor errors).
- C: Barely meets the standard (frequent errors that hinder but do not block communication).
- D: Fails to meet the standard.
Keep these criteria in mind when you practice with Sprachflow's AI speaking partner. Focus not just on grammar, but on actively fulfilling the task and keeping the conversation flowing!