The Telc C1 Hochschule exam is your ticket to Germany. However, the Speaking module is where most candidates fail. Why? Because no matter how good your German is, if you don't put on an academic show, you will fail. This guide will teach you how to perform that show.
Forget superficial internet advice like "don't be nervous, drink water". We will give you the strategy planned word-for-word to use in front of the jury on exam day, full sample presentation scripts, and the updated "Redemittel" (Phrase List) for 2026.
Crucial Distinction: Hochschule or General?
Before registering, pay attention! Telc Deutsch C1 (General) and Telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule are NOT the same exam.
If you want to study at a university in Germany, you almost certainly need the Hochschule certificate. The General C1 certificate is NOT accepted by most universities. For employers, both are usually fine. Don't waste your money studying for the wrong exam!
Exam Psychology: What Does the Jury Want?
Jury members are not robots. They listen to 20 candidates all day, and most give boring, memorized, shaky presentations. To get them to pass you, you must send the message: "I am here and I know what I'm doing."
How do you do that?
- Voice Projection: Don't whisper. Fill the room with your voice. A confident voice covers grammar mistakes.
- Eye Contact: Looking at notes isn't forbidden, but only do it to "peek". Look at the jury while speaking. A candidate buried in paper signals "I can't speak, I'm reading."
- Structure: It must be obvious that your speech has a beginning, middle, and end.
Where Do You Lose Points?
- Exceeding or falling short of the time limit.
- Reading from notes (No eye contact).
- Going off-topic (Thema verfehlt).
- Ignoring your partner completely.
- Using academic connectors (Des Weiteren, Folglich).
- Self-correction.
- Politely interrupting and guiding the partner.
- Giving concrete examples.
Part 1: Presentation Strategy
You are given two topics (e.g., "Remote Work" or "Traffic in Cities"). You choose one. You have 20 minutes preparation time. Then you speak for 3 minutes.
- Never write full sentences! Only keywords (Stichpunkte). If you write sentences, you will read them, and you will lose points.
- Divide your paper into 3: Intro, Pro/Con, Conclusion.
- Write down the first argument that comes to mind, don't look for the perfect one. Time is tight.
Part 1: The 3-Minute Anatomy
Intro & Structure (Einleitung)
Greet, introduce topic, outline structure (Gliederung). Never start with "My topic is...".
Main Body (Hauptteil)
The longest part. Present arguments. Ideal structure: One PRO argument + Example, One CON argument + Example.
Conclusion (Schluss)
Summarize, state personal opinion, thank, and ask for questions.
A Real Exam Example (Simulation)
Theory is good, but how should it sound in practice? Here is the full script of a 3-minute presentation by a candidate who chose the topic "Artificial Intelligence". Read this aloud to test the timing.
🎙️ Exam Simulation (Topic: Artificial Intelligence)
"Guten Tag zusammen. In meiner heutigen Präsentation möchte ich mich mit dem Thema 'Künstliche Intelligenz an Universitäten' befassen. Dies ist ein Thema, das in den letzten Jahren immer mehr an Bedeutung gewonnen hat und kontrovers diskutiert wird. Zuerst werde ich auf die Chancen eingehen, anschließend die Risiken beleuchten und zum Schluss meine persönliche Meinung darlegen."
"Ein wesentlicher Vorteil von KI ist die Effizienzsteigerung. Studierende können komplexe Daten schneller analysieren. Ein anschauliches Beispiel hierfür ist ChatGPT, das bereits heute als Lernassistent fungiert und Zusammenfassungen erstellt, was Zeit für tiefere Recherchen spart."
"Demgegenüber steht allerdings das Risiko der Abhängigkeit. Kritiker weisen darauf hin, dass das eigenständige Denken verkümmern könnte. Wenn eine KI alle Hausarbeiten schreibt, lernen die Studenten nicht mehr, kritisch zu denken. Das sehe ich auch an meiner eigenen Universität, wo Plagiatsfälle zunehmen."
"Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass KI sowohl Fluch als auch Segen sein kann. Meiner Meinung nach sollten wir die Technologie nutzen, aber klare Regeln aufstellen. Hiermit komme ich zum Schluss. Vielen Dank für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit. Haben Sie Fragen?"
"Magic" Phrases to Memorize
Know these sentences like your own name. Even if your brain freezes from nerves, your mouth should be able to form these sentences.
For Introduction
- "Das Thema [...] ist heutzutage von großer Relevanz."
- "In meiner Präsentation möchte ich mich mit der Frage beschäftigen, ob..."
- "Zunächst werde ich die Situation erläutern, danach Argumente abwägen."
Transitions
- "Ein wesentlicher Vorteil besteht darin, dass..."
- "Demgegenüber steht allerdings der Aspekt..."
- "Betrachtet man die wirtschaftliche Seite, fällt auf, dass..."
C1 Level Vocabulary Bank
You cannot pass C1 with B1 words (gut, schlecht, wichtig). You must show the jury "Nominal Style" and "Advanced Adjectives". Here is what you need to know by topic:
🌍 Environment & Climate
- Die Nachhaltigkeit: Sustainability
- Die Ressourcenknappheit: Resource scarcity
- Der ökologische Fußabdruck: Ecological footprint
- Erneuerbare Energien: Renewable energies
🎓 Education & University
- Das Fernstudium: Distance learning
- Die Chancengleichheit: Equal opportunity
- Der Fachkräftemangel: Skilled worker shortage
- Akademische Laufbahn: Academic career
💻 Tech & Work
- Die Digitalisierung: Digitalization
- Das Homeoffice: Working from home
- Die künstliche Intelligenz: Artificial Intelligence
- Die Erreichbarkeit: Accessibility/Reachability
🏥 Health & Society
- Der demografische Wandel: Demographic change
- Die Prävention: Prevention
- Die Ernährungsgewohnheiten: Dietary habits
- Die Zivilkrankheit: Lifestyle disease
Part 2: Discussion Strategy
Presentation over. Deep breath. Now you discuss with your partner. The biggest misconception here is trying to "win" against the partner. No, you must dance with your partner.
Scenario A: Partner Talks Too Much
If you wait for them to stop, you lose points. You must interrupt (Politely).
"Entschuldigung, darf ich Sie kurz unterbrechen? Ein wichtiger Punkt ist hierbei auch..."
Scenario B: Partner Doesn't Talk
Pass the ball to them. This gains you "Leadership" points.
"Das ist meine Ansicht. Aber wie sehen Sie das? Haben Sie ähnliche Erfahrungen gemacht?"
FAQ (2026 Updated)
My accent is bad, will I lose points?▼
No. As long as it's understandable, accent is not an issue. What matters is vocabulary variety (Wortschatz) and grammatical accuracy.
What if I have no idea about the topic?▼
Lie! The jury is testing your German, not the accuracy of your facts. Say "I saw in my uncle's factory that..." and invent something. Concrete examples always save the day.
If my partner is bad, do I get a low score too?▼
No, scoring is individual. In fact, if your partner is struggling and you manage the situation well (by asking simple questions), you get extra points.
Don't Leave It to Chance
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