Many people learning a new language find that the speaking test at the B1 level is their most difficult and stressful part of the language proficiency test. Although students typically perform well with written material and reading comprehension, their ability to speak is hindered by a lack of confidence.
Do you experience any of these?
- Your mind goes completely blank when an examiner asks you a question.
- You know the response you want to give, but you are unable to articulate it into full sentences.
- You worry about making mistakes regarding your grammar and or pronunciation.
- You run out of ideas halfway through your response.
As more international students compete for opportunities to study abroad and work abroad, spoken communication will become increasingly important in the future. Employers and examiners do not expect perfection from students. Instead, they want a student who can express themselves well, clearly, confidently, and demonstrate the ability to communicate fluently at the most basic level.
Failure to prepare for and practice speaking when taking a language proficiency test will likely result in:
- Lower scores on the entire test.
- Missed opportunities to obtain jobs, visa, and promotions.
- Extra stress and increased testing.
The good news is that any student taking this test can be successful if they know what to expect from the speaking component at the B1 level.
An introduction to B1 speaking task
The B1 level Speaking task was created based on real-world speaking situations rather than testing advanced vocabulary or complex grammatical structures.
The following are important to the Examiner when assessing candidates in the B1 level speaking task:
- Does the candidate clearly articulate their thoughts?
- Is the candidate capable of discussing common and everyday topics?
- Is the candidate's spoken communication clear enough for the Examiner to understand despite minor grammatical errors?
- Is the candidate able to create an atmosphere of natural interaction with the Examiner?
Typical tasks for the B1 level Speaking Test
- Daily life, work, and hobbies.
- Describing a photograph or a situation.
- Expressing opinions with a supporting reason.
- Participating in short discussions and role-playing activities.
Simple Strategies to Help Candidates Prepare for the B1 Level Speaking Task
- Construct answers using concise and clear sentences
- Use vocabulary you know
- Use a structure for your response (Idea → Reason → Example).
- Be prepared to talk aloud each day for 10 minutes
- Use established phrases to start and end your response.
With the use of proper guidance and systematic practice, students can improve quickly
Why Tijus Academy for your German-speaking
Students at Tijus Academy learn to approach the B1 speaking task with strategy and clarity rather than fear; they also learn to develop their confidence throughout the process.
- Examination styled speaking practice
- Individualised feedback and corrections
- Confidence-building
- Simple methods for responding to all types of speaking questions
- Mock sessions run by trainers to simulate actual exams
Many learners were once too afraid to speak, but now due to the support they've received they've gained the confidence to speak easily, and have passed their exams on their first attempts.
Want to develop your B1 speaking abilities?
Learn more about B1 Exam Preparation at Tijus Academy.
Final thoughts
When it comes to the B1 speaking task, it's much more about how well you communicate effectively instead of how much effort you spend on getting everything perfect. Feeling confident and being clear in your response is more important than using complex grammar structures correctly. Speaking at this level will become easier, more natural, and less threatening through consistent practising of the structure of the task. A good coach provides the opportunity for learners to identify their own mistakes as well as to create their own exam preparation plan in order to gain confidence when taking exams. With the right guidance, you can have complete confidence when speaking at B1 level, and Tijus Academy will help you make this experience as simple and successful as possible!
