Speaking from 2028
Rehearse the revised speaking test with supervised preparation notes that are handed in before the test.
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. This lesson is shared with German 0525 because Cambridge states the subject content is otherwise the same; 7159 is graded 9–1. Cambridge lists 7159 as a limited-availability 9–1 qualification: in June, zone 3 and centres in Oman and UAE; in November, zone 3 only. Confirm your centre and series before choosing this code.
Before you begin
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which preparation note is most useful?
What you will learn
- Respond to five transactional role-play questions in German.
- Develop two topic conversations with views, opinions and experiences.
- Make brief supervised preparation notes and hand them to the examiner before speaking.
- Review clarity and interaction without awarding an official mark.
Use preparation notes as short cues
From 2028, candidates may make notes during the ten-minute supervised preparation and must hand the notes to the teacher/examiner before the speaking test begins. The speaking test itself remains about ten minutes with a role play and two topic conversations.
Use short cues such as «wann?», «Preis?», «lieber Rad — billig» rather than writing a full script. These are original practice prompts; Cambridge candidate cards are confidential and appear only at the start of the real preparation period.
Develop both topic conversations
Give an answer, add a relevant experience or opinion, then respond to the examiner's next question. Keep the language connected with «und», «aber», «weil», «deshalb» and time phrases.
A self-review can ask whether each point was answered, whether a reason was given and whether you responded to a follow-up. It cannot assign the centre's mark or reproduce Cambridge moderation.
Sources for this lesson
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) German 7159 subject page
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) German 7159 syllabus for exams in 2025–2027 · Version 2
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) German 7159 syllabus update for 2025–2027
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) German 7159 syllabus for exams in 2028–2030
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) German 7159 2028 vocabulary list
Pause and explain
How long is supervised preparation in the revised speaking format?
Worked example
Prepare short cues for a role play: ask about the meeting point, choose between a museum and a park with a reason, ask what to bring, and ask the ticket price.
Show the worked solution
- Keep one cue for each requested question.
- Use a keyword to recall a reason.
- Remember that notes are handed in before speaking.
Answer Possible cues: «Treffpunkt?», «Museum — Geschichte», «mitbringen?», «Eintritt?» Under the revised rule, these supervised notes are handed to the examiner before the test.
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.
Make four short cues for a German exchange: meeting place, preferred activity plus reason, what to bring and ticket price. State what you do with the notes.
Give me a hint
Use keywords, not full sentences.
Compare my reasoning
- Write one short cue for each action.
- Include a reason after your preference.
- State when the notes are handed in.
Possible cues: «Treffpunkt?», «Radfahren — schnell», «mitbringen?», «Preis?». Under the revised rule, hand the supervised notes to the examiner before speaking.
Look for these in your work
- Covers all four points
- Includes a preference and reason
- Follows the note hand-in rule
Speak about one family or school experience and one opinion about it. Respond to a follow-up asking how it changed your plans.
Give me a hint
Answer the follow-up directly and distinguish the past from your current view.
Compare my reasoning
- Describe the experience.
- Give a current opinion.
- Explain the effect on your plan.
A developed response gives a concrete experience, a current opinion and a direct link to the changed plan. The checklist supports practice but is not the official centre mark.
Look for these in your work
- Uses a concrete event
- States a viewpoint
- Answers the follow-up
Prepare two short topic outlines: one about technology in daily life and one about a future career. Speak from memory after handing in your notes.
Give me a hint
Plan an example and opinion for each topic; do not read the notes during the rehearsal.
Compare my reasoning
- Write two or three cue words for each topic.
- Hand in the notes before speaking.
- Give one example and reason in each conversation.
A strong rehearsal covers both topics with an example and reason, then speaks without reading the notes. For the real exam, follow the centre's supervised procedures.
Look for these in your work
- Plans both topics
- Uses examples and reasons
- Hands in notes before speaking
Plan, speak and review your response
Microphone recordings stay in this page and are not uploaded or graded.
Speaking rehearsal · from 2028
Use short supervised preparation notes, hand them in before the test, then complete one role play and two topic conversations.
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
- Notes were short cues and were handed in before speaking
- Covered each role-play point
- Developed both conversations
- Responded to follow-ups
- 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
- Keeping the notes instead of handing them in
- Writing a complete script rather than helpful cues
- Assuming a self-review checklist can predict moderation
What can you explain now?
What happens to preparation notes under the 2028–2030 Speaking rules?
Compare with the explanation
They are handed to the examiner before the test
Candidates may make notes under supervision, then hand them in.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
Your review choice appears on Today. Sign in to sync it across devices.
Make it stick
Before leaving speaking from 2028, 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.