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Vocabulary7 min read

Essential Vocabulary for the Goethe/TELC B2 Speaking Exam

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Petra Hoffmann
Sep 5, 2026

At B2, examiners expect more than correct sentences — they're listening for structure, nuance, and the ability to argue a position. This vocabulary set is built specifically around what B2 speaking tasks (presenting an opinion, discussing pros and cons, responding to a counterargument) actually require.

Structuring an argument

  • Zunächst möchte ich sagen, dass... — First, I'd like to say that...
  • Ein weiterer wichtiger Punkt ist... — Another important point is...
  • Abschließend lässt sich sagen, dass... — In conclusion, it can be said that...
  • Zusammenfassend... — To summarize...

Giving and supporting an opinion

  • Meiner Meinung nach... — In my opinion...
  • Ich bin der Ansicht, dass... — I'm of the view that...
  • Das liegt daran, dass... — That's because...
  • Ein Beispiel dafür wäre... — An example of this would be...

Weighing pros and cons

  • Einerseits ..., andererseits ... — On one hand ..., on the other hand ...
  • Der Vorteil / Nachteil davon ist... — The advantage / disadvantage of this is...
  • Im Vergleich zu... — Compared to...
  • Trotzdem... / Dennoch... — Nevertheless...

Responding to a counterargument

  • Das stimmt zwar, aber... — That's true, but...
  • Ich verstehe Ihren Punkt, jedoch... — I understand your point, however...
  • Man könnte auch argumentieren, dass... — One could also argue that...
  • Da haben Sie recht, allerdings... — You're right about that, although...

Buying yourself thinking time (without going silent)

  • Das ist eine interessante Frage... — That's an interesting question...
  • Lassen Sie mich kurz überlegen. — Let me think for a moment.
  • Wie soll ich sagen... — How should I put it...

Knowing these phrases is only half the work — the other half is being able to reach for them automatically, mid-conversation, without translating in your head first. That only comes from using them out loud, repeatedly, in real exchanges. Our B2 room is a good place to drill exactly this kind of structured, opinion-based conversation before exam day.