Speaking Exam Strategies
Speaking Exam: Role Play, Photo Card, and Conversation
The AQA GCSE German speaking exam is worth 25% of your total grade. It has three parts: role play, photo card, and general conversation. Understanding the format and preparing strategically is key.
Exam Structure
| Part | What Happens | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Role Play | Respond to 5 prompts in a set scenario | ~2 minutes |
| Photo Card | Describe a photo, answer 3 questions | ~3 minutes (incl. prep) |
| General Conversation | Discuss 2 themes chosen by you and the teacher | ~5-7 minutes |
| Preparation | 12 minutes supervised preparation (role play + photo card) | Before the exam |
Part 1: Role Play
You receive a card with a scenario (e.g., at a restaurant, booking a hotel, at the doctor) and 5 prompts. Some prompts are straightforward; one will require an unprepared question (marked with ?) that you must formulate yourself.
How to Prepare in the 12 Minutes
- Read ALL prompts carefully.
- Write brief notes (not full sentences — you cannot read from a script).
- For the ? prompt, prepare a question using the context.
- Check which tense each prompt requires (past? present? future?).
Common Role Play Scenarios and Useful Phrases
At a restaurant/café:
- Ich möchte einen Tisch für zwei Personen, bitte. — I would like a table for two, please.
- Ich hätte gern eine Cola und eine Pizza. — I would like a cola and a pizza.
- Kann ich die Rechnung haben? — Can I have the bill?
- Haben Sie einen Tisch draußen? — Do you have a table outside?
Booking accommodation:
- Ich möchte ein Doppelzimmer für drei Nächte reservieren. — I would like to book a double room for three nights.
- Was kostet das Zimmer pro Nacht? — How much is the room per night?
- Ist das Frühstück inbegriffen? — Is breakfast included?
- Gibt es einen Aufzug / ein Schwimmbad? — Is there a lift / swimming pool?
At the doctor:
- Mir ist schlecht. Ich habe Kopfschmerzen. — I feel sick. I have a headache.
- Seit wann haben Sie die Schmerzen? — Since when have you had the pain? (question you might ask)
- Können Sie mir etwas verschreiben? — Can you prescribe me something?
Buying things:
- Ich suche ein Geschenk für meinen Bruder. — I am looking for a present for my brother.
- Haben Sie das in einer anderen Farbe / Größe? — Do you have that in another colour / size?
- Das ist zu teuer. Gibt es etwas Billigeres? — That is too expensive. Is there something cheaper?
The Unprepared Question (?)
You will need to ask a question based on the context. Learn these question patterns:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Wo ist...? | Where is...? |
| Wann...? | When...? |
| Wie viel kostet...? | How much does ... cost? |
| Um wie viel Uhr...? | At what time...? |
| Haben Sie...? | Do you have...? |
| Gibt es...? | Is there...? |
| Kann ich...? | Can I...? |
| Was für... gibt es? | What kind of ... is there? |
| Wie komme ich zu...? | How do I get to...? |
Part 2: Photo Card
You receive a photo related to one of the GCSE themes. You must:
1. Describe what is in the photo (unprompted — you volunteer information)
2. Answer 3 follow-up questions (2 printed, 1 unpredictable)
Describing the Photo — Framework
Use this structure for any photo:
Step 1: Say what you see
- Auf dem Foto sehe ich... — In the photo I see...
- Es gibt... / Man kann... sehen — There is/are... / You can see...
- Im Vordergrund / Im Hintergrund — In the foreground / background
- Auf der linken/rechten Seite — On the left/right side
Step 2: Describe the people
- Die Person / Die Leute... — The person / The people...
- Er/Sie trägt... — He/She is wearing...
- Er/Sie sieht glücklich/traurig/müde aus. — He/She looks happy/sad/tired.
- Sie scheinen... zu... — They seem to be...
Step 3: Give an opinion or make a connection
- Ich glaube, dass... — I think that...
- Das erinnert mich an... — That reminds me of...
- Meiner Meinung nach... — In my opinion...
Example Photo Description (Family Meal)
Auf dem Foto sehe ich eine Familie, die zusammen zu Abend isst. Es gibt vier Personen: zwei Erwachsene und zwei Kinder. Sie sitzen an einem großen Tisch in der Küche. Auf dem Tisch gibt es viel Essen — Salat, Brot und Gemüse. Die Familie sieht glücklich aus und sie lachen. Meiner Meinung nach sind gemeinsame Mahlzeiten wichtig, weil die Familie sich unterhalten kann.
Answering Follow-up Questions
- Listen carefully to the tense of the question and answer in the same tense.
- Develop your answers — don't just say one sentence. Add a reason or extra detail.
- If you don't understand, say: Können Sie die Frage bitte wiederholen? — Can you repeat the question, please?
Part 3: General Conversation
You discuss two themes from the AQA specification. You choose one theme; the teacher chooses the other. The conversation lasts 5-7 minutes and covers past, present, and future.
The Three AQA Themes
1. People and lifestyle (family, technology, free time, customs)
2. Popular culture (music, cinema, food, sport)
3. Communication and the world around us (travel, media, environment, social issues)
How to Score Highly
Use a range of tenses:
- Past: Letztes Jahr bin ich nach Spanien gefahren. / Als ich jünger war...
- Present: Normalerweise spiele ich am Wochenende Fußball.
- Future: Nächstes Jahr werde ich...
- Conditional: Wenn ich könnte, würde ich...
Give opinions with reasons:
- Ich finde das toll, weil...
- Meiner Meinung nach ist das wichtig, denn...
- Ich bin der Meinung, dass...
- Einerseits... andererseits... (on the one hand... on the other...)
Use complex structures:
- Subordinate clauses: ..., weil ich das interessant finde.
- um... zu + infinitive: Ich lerne Deutsch, um bessere Chancen zu haben.
- Relative clauses: Mein Bruder, der in London wohnt, ist Arzt.
Show spontaneity:
- Ask the examiner a question: Und Sie? Reisen Sie gern?
- React to what they say: Das stimmt! / Ja, genau! / Interessant!
- Self-correct: this shows awareness and is NOT penalised.
Prepared Answers for Common Questions
Prepare answers for: favourite hobby, family description, school opinions, future plans, last holiday, healthy living, technology pros/cons, environmental issues, your town, and ideal job. Each answer should include at least three tenses and two opinions with reasons.
Exam Tips
- 12-minute prep: Focus on the role play question (?) and photo description. The conversation relies on prepared material, not these 12 minutes.
- Don't memorise scripts word-for-word — examiners can tell, and if you forget a line, you may freeze. Instead, prepare flexible phrases and key vocabulary.
- Speak clearly and at a natural pace. Rushing or mumbling loses marks.
- If you make a mistake, correct yourself and move on. Self-correction is fine.
- Develop every answer — one-word answers score poorly. Aim for 3-4 sentences per question in the conversation.
- The unpredictable question in the conversation tests spontaneity. Stay calm, use phrases you know, and talk around the topic if needed.