Speaking through 2027
Rehearse role play and two topic conversations under the earlier no-notes preparation rule.
Exam scope and assessment notes
All German texts, listening scripts, prompts, model responses, examples and exercises here are original StudyForA practice, not Cambridge assessment material. The map covers the five broad topic areas, the published grammar categories and the paper formats for both syllabus cycles; Cambridge describes its topic sub-lists as examples rather than an exhaustive vocabulary boundary. The separate 2028 vocabulary spreadsheet is linked but has not been reconciled word by word. German-language specialist review, comprehensive vocabulary auditing and full timed paper simulations remain outstanding. Browser speech synthesis is not Cambridge audio and cannot guarantee accent or pronunciation. Speaking checklists and writing review are practice aids, not an examiner mark or Cambridge moderation. This is not a complete 130-hour course. Confirm exam year, series, zone and entry with your school and Cambridge. Use the paper lesson that matches your examination year; speaking and writing practice does not award official marks.
Before you begin
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which response gives an activity and a reason?
What you will learn
- Respond to everyday transactional prompts in German.
- Develop two familiar-topic conversations with opinions, experiences and follow-up details.
- Practise pronunciation, interaction and repair strategies.
- Follow the 2025–2027 supervised preparation rule: no notes during preparation.
Cover each transactional prompt
The earlier speaking test takes about ten minutes plus ten minutes of supervised preparation. It includes one role play with five transactional questions and two topic conversations. The 2025–2027 syllabus says candidates may not make notes during preparation.
Practise reading a scenario, remembering the five requested actions and answering naturally. In the real test, the teacher/examiner uses confidential Cambridge materials; this lesson contains original prompts and must not be treated as an official candidate card.
Keep the conversation moving
Answer first, then add one useful detail, reason or feeling. If you do not understand, ask for repetition or clarification in German. In a topic conversation, link a past experience to a present view or future hope.
StudyForA's checklist is for private rehearsal only. The centre assesses the speaking test and Cambridge moderates it; a recording or self-review cannot reproduce those conditions.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
How many topic conversations follow the role play?
Worked example
You are asking about a sports-centre visit. Ask when it opens, say which activity you prefer and why, and ask the price. Give a concise German response to each point.
Show the worked solution
- Use a polite question for opening time.
- State an activity and a reason.
- Ask the price clearly.
Answer «Um wie viel Uhr öffnet das Sportzentrum? Ich spiele am liebsten Volleyball, weil es ein Teamsport ist. Wie viel kostet der Eintritt?»
From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Rehearse a short role play: ask the opening time, request directions, state a preferred activity and ask the cost.
Give me a hint
Answer each point in one natural sentence; use no preparation notes.
Compare my reasoning
- Ask the opening time.
- Ask for directions and state a preference.
- Ask the cost and give a relevant response.
Example: «Wann öffnet das Zentrum? Wie komme ich zum Schwimmbad? Ich möchte lieber schwimmen, weil es heute heiß ist. Was kostet eine Stunde?» This is original rehearsal, not an official role play.
Look for these in your work
- Covers all requested actions
- Gives a reason
- Does not use prohibited preparation notes
Speak for about a minute about a school subject you enjoy, a past project and one future ambition. Then identify one point you would clarify next time.
Give me a hint
Use a past tense, an opinion and a future intention.
Compare my reasoning
- State your opinion.
- Describe one past experience.
- Give an ambition and one specific improvement.
A useful rehearsal includes an opinion, a concrete past event and a future intention. An improvement might be adding a reason or clarifying a time. This self-review is not a Cambridge mark.
Look for these in your work
- Uses a past experience
- Gives an ambition
- Names a specific next step
A partner asks what you did last weekend and what you want to do next month. Answer both questions, ask a follow-up and repair one imagined misunderstanding.
Give me a hint
Use Perfekt or Präteritum for the past and a clear time phrase for the plan.
Compare my reasoning
- Describe one completed activity.
- State a future plan with a reason.
- Ask a related question and request clarification once.
Example: «Letztes Wochenende habe ich meine Großeltern besucht. Nächsten Monat möchte ich wandern gehen, weil ich die Berge mag. Was machst du gern? Entschuldigung, kannst du die Frage bitte wiederholen?»
Look for these in your work
- Keeps past and future distinct
- Sustains interaction
- Uses a repair strategy
Plan, speak and review your response
Microphone recordings stay in this page and are not uploaded or graded.
Speaking rehearsal · through 2027
Practise one transactional role play and two conversations. Follow the earlier exam rule: supervised preparation, no notes.
Use about 10 minute to plan your practice response, then speak for about 600 seconds. This practice timer does not reproduce exam preparation rules.
The recording is not transcribed. This optional text and the audio both stay in the open page.
Review your recording
- Covered each role-play point
- Gave opinions with details or reasons
- Responded to follow-ups
- Used no notes during preparation
- Self-review is not an official or moderated mark
This self-review is not an official speaking mark. A teacher or examination centre must assess the speaking endorsement.
Common mistakes
- Making notes when the earlier exam rule prohibits them
- Giving a memorised speech unrelated to the prompt
- Treating practice audio or self-rating as an official or moderated score
What can you explain now?
May a candidate make notes during 2025–2027 Speaking preparation?
Compare with the explanation
No
The earlier syllabus says candidates are not allowed to make notes.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
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Make it stick
Before leaving speaking through 2027, explain one idea from memory, answer the checkpoint and name one point to practise again.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.