Oral Exam Part 2: Chatting with Colleagues, Opinions & Partner Interaction
Updated: · LexDeutsch editorial team
Why monologues get you nowhere in the break-time chat: casual conversation using "du", friendly disagreement, tricky partner scenarios and a model dialogue for the approx. 3 minutes of Part 2.
At a Glance: The Rules of Part 2
What matters in Part 2?
Marking follows the four criteria of the DTB B2; criterion I brings up to 8 points in Part 2. Below are our tips for the chat with colleagues.
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| I Kommunikative Aufgabenbewältigung (completing the task) | maximum per part:
|
| II Kommunikative Gestaltung (shaping the conversation) | II–IV together up to 30 |
| III Formale Richtigkeit (accuracy) | |
| IV Spektrum sprachlicher Mittel (range of language) | |
| Speaking in total: up to 60 of 240 points | |
Source: assessment criteria and points in the official DTB B2 practice test (telc, published by BAMF).
Vocabulary Spectrum & Fluency
What counts is talking about workplace matters with varied vocabulary and without long hesitation. Use workplace collocations and precise synonyms.
- Deploy accurate business vocabulary (e.g. "Betriebsvereinbarung", "Rentabilität").
- Use clever paraphrasing if a particular German word slips your mind.
- Maintain natural conversational tempo without excessive silence.
- Do not repeat primitive verbs such as "machen", "haben", or "gut finden" continuously.
- Avoid filler words from your native tongue or extended hesitation.
Conversation Flow, Turn-Taking & Reacting
This area is the core of Part 2. What counts is how actively you shape the conversation: Do you respond to what your partner says? Do you ask follow-up questions? Do you bring in your own experience? No agreement is needed in Part 2.
- Pick up your partner’s remarks directly ("Du hast vorhin erzählt, dass...").
- Ask open questions using "du" to draw your partner in.
- Bring in your own work experience and give brief reasons.
- Never monopolize the discussion with a monologue lasting over a minute.
- Never ignore your peer’s points to deliver disconnected pre-scripted speeches.
Grammatical Structures & Subordinate Syntax
Tested is B2 grammatical mastery: reliable verb placement in complex syntax, prepositional case mastery, and accurate Subjunctive II for diplomatic recommendations.
- Utilize Subjunctive II for diplomacy ("Ich würde vorschlagen, dass...", "Wir könnten...").
- Strictly position verbs at the end of subclauses introduced by "weil", "dass", "obwohl".
- Embed correlative connectors ("einerseits ... andererseits").
- Avoid syntax errors after "weil" (never say "weil ich glaube nicht").
- Do not stay locked in simplistic subject-verb main clause chains.
Clarity, Sentence Melody & Word Stress
No one expects native accent elimination. What counts is that your speech remains easily comprehensible, word stresses are placed accurately, and sentence intonation reflects professional engagement.
- Distinguish long and short German vowels cleanly (e.g. "bieten" vs. "bitten").
- Raise intonation slightly at the end of inquiry questions.
- Articulate clearly and maintain relaxed eye contact with peer and proctors.
- Never mumble downward into the desk or cover your mouth with your hand.
- Avoid speaking in a flat, monotone cadence devoid of expressiveness.
What if your exam partner is difficult?
How to react calmly to difficult situations in the break-time chat.
The Dominant Partner (Non-Stop Speaker)
Your partner talks non-stop and hardly lets you get a word in during the break-time chat. You sit there worrying that you will lose points for lack of speaking time.
„Moment, darf ich da kurz was sagen? Das finde ich spannend – bei uns läuft das nämlich ganz anders…“
"Hang on, can I just say something? I find that interesting – it works completely differently where I am…"
The Passive or Paralyzed Partner (Exam Blackout)
Your partner is extremely anxious, freezes, replies only with monosyllabic "Ja" or "Genau", and stares down at the prompt sheet. Awkward silence builds.
„Und wie ist das bei dir? Was hast du in deiner Abteilung damit für Erfahrungen gemacht?“
"And how is that for you? What experience have you had with that in your department?"
Different Opinions – and That Is Fine
You and your partner see a topic very differently. You worry that the conversation fails because you do not agree.
„Okay, da sehen wir das einfach unterschiedlich. Aber ich verstehe deinen Punkt – bei dir im Lager ist die Situation ja auch ganz anders.“
"Okay, we just see that differently. But I understand your point – the situation in your warehouse is completely different, after all."
Which phrases do you need for the chat with colleagues?
Casual "du" phrases for telling, disagreeing, asking back and reacting.
1. Telling & Giving Your Opinion
Casual openers for the approx. 3-minute chat with colleagues using "du".
„Also, bei mir ist das so: Ich arbeite seit zwei Jahren im Schichtdienst, und ehrlich gesagt finde ich das ziemlich anstrengend.“
Well, for me it is like this: I have been working shifts for two years, and to be honest I find it quite exhausting.
„Ich finde, flexible Arbeitszeiten machen vieles leichter, weil man Familie und Job besser unter einen Hut bekommt.“
I think flexible working hours make a lot of things easier, because you can balance family and work better.
2. Disagreeing in a Friendly Way
Never say bluntly "No, that is wrong"! Agree briefly first, then give your view – different opinions can simply stand.
„Da hast du schon recht, aber man muss auch sehen, dass so ein Modell erst mal viel Organisation braucht.“
You are right there, but you also have to see that a model like that needs a lot of organisation at first.
„Ich verstehe, was du meinst, aber bei uns im Team habe ich das ganz anders erlebt.“
I understand what you mean, but in our team I experienced it completely differently.
3. Asking Back & Reacting (Interaction)
This is how you keep the conversation going and draw your partner in.
„Welche Erfahrungen hast du in deinem Bereich damit gemacht?“
What experience have you had with that in your area?
„Echt? Das wusste ich gar nicht. Und wie hat dein Chef darauf reagiert?“
Really? I had no idea. And how did your boss react?
Complete Model Dialogue Script
Model dialogue for Part 2 (approx. 3 minutes): a break-time chat between colleagues with different opinions.
Interactive Speaking Check: Test Your Interaction Skills
4 practical questions on format, tone and scoring.
1. How should you react if your partner talks non-stop in the break-time chat (Part 2)?
2. What is the main goal of Part 2 of the oral exam?
3. How many points does Speaking bring in telc B2 Beruf, and when is the exam passed?
4. Which phrase is best for disagreeing in a friendly way in the break-time chat?
Related B2/C1 Study Guides & Exam Modules
Deepen your German proficiency with our focused preparation guides for telc B2.
Noun-Verb Combinations in Business
Light verb collocations for telc B2 and workplace communication with exam tips.
telc B2 Beruf Part 1A: Talking About a Topic
About 2 minutes on a topic, no preparation time: a 5-phase plan and 4 model talks.
Business Letters & Emails (DIN 5008)
Phrases for subject, deadlines and sign-off plus ready-to-use email templates.
Prepositions with Genitive in Business
Mastering aufgrund, während, trotz correctly while avoiding common dative traps.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Part 2 of the oral exam last?
Part 2 takes about 3 minutes. You chat with your partner as with colleagues during a break, using "du". Task completion in Part 2 brings up to 8 points; on top of that comes the language assessment of the whole oral exam.
What happens if my assigned partner speaks barely any German?
Don’t worry: you are not penalised for your partner’s mistakes or weaknesses. If you support your partner kindly, ask simple questions ("Und wie ist das bei dir?") and keep the conversation going, you show exactly the interaction skills that are assessed.
Is there preparation time before Part 2?
No. The oral exam of telc B2 Beruf (DTB B2) has no preparation time. The questions for the chat are on the task sheet in the "du" form, and you start straight away. So practise typical break-time topics such as working hours, training or the canteen beforehand.
Do we have to agree at the end of Part 2?
No. Part 2 is an informal chat between colleagues – no agreement is needed, and different opinions can simply stand. Part 3 is different: there you solve a problem together and clarify what needs to be done and who takes on which task.
How many points do you need in Speaking for telc B2 Beruf?
Speaking is worth up to 60 of 240 points; aim for at least 36. You pass with at least 144 of 240 points in total and at least 36 of 60 in at least three of the four skills; one weaker skill is compensated if it has 24–35 points.
How long does the whole oral exam take?
About 16 minutes per pair, without preparation time: Part 1A approx. 2 minutes per person, 1B approx. 2 minutes of examiners’ questions, 1C approx. ½ minute, Part 2 approx. 3 minutes of chat with colleagues and Part 3 approx. 4 minutes discussing solutions.
Practice Speaking Part 2 Interactively Now
Practise in the LexDeutsch speaking trainer with sample dialogues with audio, useful phrases and a recording of your own answer to listen back to. The first three topics are free; the rest are part of VIP.