This module is not just vocabulary. These are the exact scripts the Goethe examiner expects in the Sprechen section. Language and social intelligence together.
The most expensive social mistake: Using informal German (du) with the Goethe examiner instead of formal German (Sie). It signals to the examiner that you do not understand German culture. This module teaches you when to use which — and why it matters.
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Lesson 1 — Sie vs du: Formal and Informal
When to use each — and what happens when you get it wrong.
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Lesson 2 — Greetings for Every Situation
Hallo, Guten Morgen, Guten Tag — with time, place, and register.
LESSON 2
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Lesson 3 — Introducing Yourself
The complete Goethe Sprechen self-introduction script.
LESSON 3
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Lesson 4 — Asking About Others
Wie heißen Sie? Woher kommen Sie? — with correct responses.
LESSON 4
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Lesson 5 — Saying Goodbye
Auf Wiedersehen, Tschüss, Auf Wiederhören — when to use each.
LESSON 5
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Lesson 6 — Polite Phrases
Bitte, Danke, Entschuldigung, Es tut mir leid — in the right context.
LESSON 6
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Module 2 · Lesson 1 of 6
Sie vs du — the most important social rule in German
German has two words for "you". Sie is formal — used with strangers, professionals, older people, and the Goethe examiner. du is informal — used with friends, family, children, and peers you know well.
In English, "you" covers everyone. In German, choosing the wrong one is a social mistake — and in the Goethe exam, the wrong register costs marks.
Sie — Formal
Always capitalised, even mid-sentence
Wie heißen Sie?
What is your name? (formal)
Woher kommen Sie?
Where are you from? (formal)
Sprechen Sie Deutsch?
Do you speak German? (formal)
du — Informal
Lowercase, used with friends and family
Wie heißt du?
What is your name? (informal)
Woher kommst du?
Where are you from? (informal)
Sprichst du Deutsch?
Do you speak German? (informal)
When to use Sie (formal)
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Mit dem Goethe-Prüfer
With the Goethe examiner — always, without exception
The examiner is a professional in a formal testing context. Using du would be like calling your doctor by their first name on your first visit.
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Mit Ärzten, Lehrern, Chefs
With doctors, teachers, managers
Any professional relationship starts with Sie until the other person explicitly invites du — "Wir können uns duzen."
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Mit unbekannten Erwachsenen
With strangers over 16
In shops, on public transport, in offices — Sie is the default with any adult you do not know personally.
The Goethe rule: In the entire Sprechen section, always use Sie. The examiner will not invite du. If you accidentally use du, correct yourself immediately: "Entschuldigung — meinen Sie..." Your ability to catch and correct your own errors also earns marks.
Module 2 · Lesson 1 · Goethe Context
Sie and du in real situations
Read each situation and decide: would you use Sie or du? Then press 🔊 to hear the correct German phrase.
SITUATION 1 — You meet the Goethe examiner
Examiner:
Guten Tag. Mein Name ist Müller. Wie heißen Sie?
Good day. My name is Müller. What is your name?
You:
Guten Tag, Herr Müller. Ich heiße Wanjiru Kamau.
Good day, Mr Müller. My name is Wanjiru Kamau.
✓ Correct register: Sie throughout. You use Herr + surname to address the examiner — professional and respectful.
SITUATION 2 — You meet a fellow student in a German class
Student:
Hallo! Ich bin Kevin. Wie heißt du?
Hello! I'm Kevin. What's your name?
You:
Hallo Kevin! Ich heiße Wanjiru. Ich komme aus Nairobi.
Hello Kevin! My name is Wanjiru. I come from Nairobi.
✓ Correct register: du, because Kevin offered it first with "Wie heißt du?" — a peer inviting informal address.
SITUATION 3 — You call a doctor's surgery
Receptionist:
Praxis Dr. Hoffmann, guten Tag. Was kann ich für Sie tun?
Dr Hoffmann's practice, good day. What can I do for you?
You:
Guten Tag. Ich möchte einen Termin machen, bitte.
Good day. I would like to make an appointment, please.
✓ Correct register: Sie in a professional phone call. Note "möchte" (would like) — the polite form for requests.
Module 2 · Lesson 1 · Quiz
Sie or du?
Module 2 · Lesson 2 of 6
Greetings — the right one for the right moment
German greetings are time-sensitive and region-sensitive. Using the wrong greeting at the wrong time of day does not cause confusion — but it signals that you are not yet comfortable with the language. The Goethe examiner notices comfort.
Formal Greetings — use with Sie
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Guten Morgen
GOO-ten MOR-gen
Good morning
Used until approximately midday. In the Goethe Sprechen section if your exam is in the morning, open with this.
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Guten Tag
GOO-ten TAHK
Good day / Good afternoon
The all-purpose formal greeting — safe to use from midday onwards and in any professional context. Most common in the Goethe exam.
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Guten Abend
GOO-ten AH-bent
Good evening
From approximately 6pm. Appears in Goethe Hören contexts — evening announcements, hotel arrivals, restaurant visits.
Informal Greetings — use with du
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Hallo
HAL-oh
Hello
Universal informal greeting. Safe with peers, friends, fellow students. NOT appropriate with the Goethe examiner as an opening.
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Hi / Hey
like English
Hi / Hey
Very casual — used among young people. Completely inappropriate in any formal or professional context. Never in the Goethe exam.
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Grüß Gott / Servus
GRÜSS GOT / ZER-voos
Regional greetings (South Germany / Austria)
You will hear these in Goethe Hören audio. Grüß Gott is formal-ish (Bavaria/Austria). Servus is informal (Austria). You do not need to use them — but you must recognise them.
Responding to "Wie geht es Ihnen?" (How are you? — formal)
Danke, gut. Und Ihnen? — Thank you, well. And you? (formal, correct) Es geht mir gut, danke. — I am well, thank you. Always return the question — "Und Ihnen?" (formal) or "Und dir?" (informal). Not returning it is considered impolite in German culture.
Module 2 · Lesson 2 · Quiz
Greetings Quiz
Module 2 · Lesson 3 of 6
Introducing yourself — the Goethe Sprechen script
The first task in the Goethe A1 Sprechen section is a self-introduction. The examiner gives you a prompt card and expects you to speak for about 60–90 seconds covering specific topics. This lesson teaches you the exact structure and language.
The 6 topics the examiner expects: Name · Herkunft (origin) · Wohnort (where you live) · Beruf (profession) · Familie · Warum Deutsch (why German)
The building blocks — learn each phrase
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Ich heiße Wanjiru Kamau.
IH HAI-se...
My name is Wanjiru Kamau.
Use "Ich heiße" — not "Mein Name ist" (also correct but less natural in speech). The examiner uses "Wie heißen Sie?" so answer with "Ich heiße."
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Ich komme aus Kenia, aus Nairobi.
IH KOM-me aus KE-ni-a
I come from Kenya, from Nairobi.
"Ich komme aus" + country/city. Add city after comma for more detail. "aus" always follows "komme" for origin.
Profession: "Ich bin [job] von Beruf" OR "Ich arbeite als [job]." No article before the profession — NOT "Ich bin eine Krankenschwester."
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Ich bin verheiratet und habe zwei Kinder.
IH bin fer-HAI-ra-tet
I am married and have two children.
Family status options: ledig (single), verheiratet (married), geschieden (divorced). "Ich habe [number] Kinder" or "Ich habe keine Kinder."
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Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Deutschland arbeiten möchte.
IH LER-ne DOYTSH, vail...
I am learning German because I want to work in Germany.
"weil" (because) sends the verb to the END — "arbeiten möchte" not "möchte arbeiten." This word order rule is tested in Schreiben too.
Module 2 · Lesson 3 · Complete Script
The full Goethe A1 introduction — read it, then speak it
This is a complete model self-introduction. Read it through, press 🔊 to hear each line, then close your eyes and try to say it from memory. This is exactly what the examiner wants to hear.
🎯 GOETHE A1 — MODEL SELF-INTRODUCTION
Guten Tag. Ich heiße Wanjiru Kamau.
GOO-ten TAHK. IH HAI-se...
Good day. My name is Wanjiru Kamau.
↳ Open with the correct greeting + your name immediately.
Ich komme aus Kenia, genauer gesagt aus Nairobi.
IH KOM-me aus KE-ni-a, ge-NAU-er ge-ZAHKT aus NAI-ro-bi.
Ich wohne jetzt noch in Nairobi, aber ich möchte bald nach Deutschland ziehen.
IH VOH-ne yetzt noh in NAI-ro-bi, AH-ber IH MÖHH-te balt nah DOYTSH-lant TSEE-hen.
I currently still live in Nairobi, but I would like to move to Germany soon.
↳ "noch" (still), "bald" (soon), "ziehen" (to move) — these show range. "möchte" + infinitive at end.
Ich bin Krankenschwester von Beruf und arbeite in einem Krankenhaus.
IH bin KRAN-ken-shves-ter fon be-ROOF unt AR-bai-te in AI-nem KRAN-ken-haus.
I am a nurse by profession and I work in a hospital.
↳ Two facts in one sentence with "und." "in einem Krankenhaus" = Dativ — shows grammar awareness.
Ich bin ledig und wohne mit meiner Schwester zusammen.
IH bin LEH-dig unt VOH-ne mit MAI-ner SHVES-ter tsu-ZAM-men.
I am single and live together with my sister.
↳ Family information naturally included. "mit meiner Schwester" shows possessive + Dativ.
Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Deutschland als Krankenschwester arbeiten möchte.
IH LER-ne DOYTSH, vail IH in DOYTSH-lant als KRAN-ken-shves-ter AR-bai-ten MÖHH-te.
I am learning German because I want to work in Germany as a nurse.
↳ "weil" clause: verb goes to END. "arbeiten möchte" — this word order is essential to get right.
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Video: Goethe A1 Sprechen — Model Introduction
Embed a video of a qualified teacher or examiner demonstrating a complete model self-introduction with natural rhythm and stress. Students watch, then repeat line by line.
📌 YouTube embed goes here
Module 2 · Lesson 3 · Quiz
Introduction Quiz
Module 2 · Lesson 4 of 6
Asking about others — and answering back
The Goethe Sprechen section is a conversation, not a monologue. The examiner asks you questions — and the second part involves you asking the examiner questions too. This lesson teaches both directions.
Questions the examiner will ask you
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Wie heißen Sie?
VEE HAI-sen ZEE?
What is your name?
Answer: "Ich heiße [Vorname Nachname]." Always give both names in a formal context.
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Woher kommen Sie?
VO-her KOM-men ZEE?
Where are you from?
Answer: "Ich komme aus [Land/Stadt]." Do not say "Ich bin von..." — the correct structure is "aus" not "von."
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Was machen Sie beruflich?
VAS MA-hen ZEE be-ROOF-liH?
What do you do for work?
Answer: "Ich bin [Beruf] von Beruf." Or "Ich arbeite als [Beruf]." Never use an article — NOT "Ich bin eine Lehrerin."
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Wo wohnen Sie?
VO VOH-nen ZEE?
Where do you live?
Answer: "Ich wohne in [Stadt]." For country: "Ich wohne in [Land]." Countries with articles: "in der Türkei, in den USA" — but most countries have no article: "in Kenia, in Deutschland."
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Warum lernen Sie Deutsch?
VA-rum LER-nen ZEE DOYTSH?
Why are you learning German?
Answer: "Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich [reason]." Remember: "weil" sends the verb to the end. "...weil ich in Deutschland arbeiten möchte." Practice this structure until it is automatic.
Questions YOU ask in the Sprechen section
In Part 2 of Sprechen, you must ask the examiner questions about pictures or about themselves. These are the W-question patterns you need:
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Wie heißen Sie? / Wie ist Ihr Name?
What is your name?
Asking the examiner's name — shows you can reverse the conversation.
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Haben Sie Kinder?
Do you have children?
Yes/no question — verb first. Answer: "Ja, ich habe [number] Kinder." / "Nein, ich habe keine Kinder."
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Was ist Ihr Hobby?
What is your hobby?
Asking about interests — opens natural conversation. Shows you can initiate topics, not just respond.
Module 2 · Lesson 4 · Full Dialogue Practice
A complete Goethe Sprechen conversation
Read through this model conversation. Then cover the "You" lines and try to say them from memory before pressing 🔊.
GOETHE A1 SPRECHEN — MODEL CONVERSATION
Examiner
Guten Tag. Ich heiße Weber. Bitte stellen Sie sich vor.
Good day. My name is Weber. Please introduce yourself.
You
Guten Tag, Frau Weber. Mein Name ist Wanjiru Kamau. Ich komme aus Kenia und wohne in Nairobi. Ich bin Krankenschwester von Beruf.
Good day, Ms Weber. My name is Wanjiru Kamau. I come from Kenya and live in Nairobi. I am a nurse by profession.
Examiner
Warum lernen Sie Deutsch?
Why are you learning German?
You
Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Deutschland als Krankenschwester arbeiten möchte. Das ist mein Traum.
I am learning German because I want to work in Germany as a nurse. That is my dream.
Examiner
Haben Sie Familie?
Do you have family?
You
Ja, ich habe eine große Familie. Ich habe drei Geschwister — zwei Schwestern und einen Bruder. Meine Eltern wohnen auch in Nairobi.
Yes, I have a large family. I have three siblings — two sisters and a brother. My parents also live in Nairobi.
What the examiner is scoring: Pronunciation · Fluency (no long pauses) · Vocabulary range · Grammar accuracy · Register (formal Sie throughout) — in that order of importance. A confident answer with a small grammar mistake scores better than a hesitant answer with perfect grammar.
Module 2 · Lesson 4 · Quiz
Questions and Answers Quiz
Module 2 · Lesson 5 of 6
Saying goodbye — the right ending for every situation
How you end a conversation matters. In the Goethe Sprechen section, the final impression you leave — including your goodbye — is part of the examiner's overall assessment of your communicative competence.
All Goodbye Phrases — tap to hear
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Auf Wiedersehen
OUF VEE-der-zayn
Goodbye (formal — in person)
The standard formal goodbye in person. Literally "until we see again." Use with the Goethe examiner, in shops, with professionals.
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Auf Wiederhören
OUF VEE-der-hör-en
Goodbye (formal — on the phone)
Used ONLY on the phone. Literally "until we hear again." The Goethe Hören section includes phone conversations — you will hear this. Never say this in person.
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Tschüss / Tschüssi
CHÜSS / CHÜS-si
Bye / Bye-bye (informal)
Casual goodbye — fine with friends and peers. Tschüssi is the warmer, softer version. Not appropriate with the Goethe examiner as your final word.
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Gute Nacht
GOO-te NAHKT
Good night
Said when someone is going to sleep — not just in the evening. You would not say this leaving a restaurant at 9pm. You say it when parting for the night knowing someone is going to bed.
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Schönen Tag noch!
SHÖH-nen TAHK noh!
Have a nice day! (still)
"noch" = still/yet. Said when leaving a shop or ending a conversation during the day. The "noch" implies the day is not over yet. Common in everyday Goethe Hören contexts.
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Bis bald! / Bis dann! / Bis morgen!
BIS BALT / BIS DAN / BIS MOR-gen
See you soon / See you then / See you tomorrow
"Bis" = until. These are informal goodbyes used when you expect to see the person again. Bis bald (soon), Bis dann (then/later), Bis morgen (tomorrow).
How to end the Goethe Sprechen exam:
When the examiner signals the end, say: Vielen Dank. Auf Wiedersehen!
(Thank you very much. Goodbye!)
This is polite, formal, complete, and leaves a good final impression. Never just say "Tschüss" to a Goethe examiner and walk out.
Module 2 · Lesson 5 · Quiz
Goodbye Quiz
Module 2 · Lesson 6 of 6
Polite phrases — the social glue of German
These phrases are short but they carry enormous social weight in German culture. Germans use them constantly and notice immediately when a foreigner does not. Using them correctly signals cultural awareness — and that impresses examiners.
The core polite phrases — tap to hear
Bitte
Please / You're welcome / Here you go
Three meanings depending on context. "Bitte" when asking. "Bitte" when handing something. "Bitte" as a response to "Danke." Most versatile word in German social interaction.
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Danke / Danke schön
Thanks / Thank you very much
"Danke" is simple thanks. "Danke schön" is warmer. "Vielen Dank" is most formal. "Herzlichen Dank" for formal letters.
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Entschuldigung
Excuse me / Sorry (to get attention)
Used to get someone's attention or to pass by them. NOT for a serious apology. If you bump into someone on the street or interrupt someone — Entschuldigung.
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Es tut mir leid
I am sorry (genuine apology)
For a real apology — if you made a mistake, arrived late, caused inconvenience. More serious than Entschuldigung. Cannot be shortened casually.
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Kein Problem
No problem
Accepting an apology or dismissing a worry. Common response to "Entschuldigung" or "Es tut mir leid." Sounds natural and contemporary.
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Gern geschehen
You're welcome (formal)
Formal response to "Danke." Literally "done gladly." Also: "Gerne!" More formal than "Bitte" as a response to thanks.
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Darf ich fragen...?
May I ask...?
Polite way to introduce a question. Shows you are aware of social boundaries. Very well-received in the Sprechen section.
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Wie bitte?
Pardon? / Could you repeat that?
When you did not hear or understand. Essential for the Hören section if audio is unclear. More polite than "Was?" Do not be afraid to use it — examiners expect it.
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Goethe Sprechen tip: If you do not understand the examiner's question, say Könnten Sie das bitte wiederholen? (Could you please repeat that?) or simply Wie bitte? This is completely acceptable and shows you can communicate naturally — not a sign of weakness.