DTZ Sprechen Teil 1: Tell me about yourself — 10 topics and a ready-made monologue
What to tell about yourself at the DTZ: 10 mandatory topics with ready-made phrases, an example monologue for one minute, and typical examiner questions.
⏱ 6 min
What is expected of you in DTZ Sprechen Teil 1
The first part of the oral exam is a short self-introduction (about one minute) plus 1–2 clarifying questions from the examiner. This is the most predictable part of the entire DTZ: the questions are known in advance, and the monologue can be prepared at home and polished to automatism.
That's why Teil 1 should be passed with maximum points: a confident start sets the tone for the entire oral part and relieves anxiety before the picture and planning tasks.
10 topics to cover
1. Name
First and last name.
2. Geburtsort
Where you were born.
3. Herkunft
Which country/city you came from.
4. Wohnort
Where you live in Germany.
5. Familie
Family and marital status.
6. Beruf / Ausbildung
What you do for work or what you studied.
7. Sprachen
What languages you know.
8. Hobbys / Freizeit
What you do in your free time.
9. Seit wann in Deutschland
How long you have been in Germany.
10. Warum Deutsch
Why you are learning German.
💡 It's not necessary to list all 10 in the exam — but the more topics you cover in a coherent story, the more confident you sound. Prepare all ten, and tell 7–8 in the exam.
Example: one-minute monologue
All 10 topics in a coherent story
Guten Tag! Ich heiße Olena Kovalenko. Ich bin in Charkiw geboren und komme aus der Ukraine.
Seit drei Jahren lebe ich in Deutschland, ich wohne mit meiner Familie in Köln. Ich bin verheiratet und habe einen Sohn. Er geht hier zur Schule.
Von Beruf bin ich Buchhalterin. Im Moment besuche ich einen Integrationskurs und möchte danach in meinem Beruf arbeiten.
Meine Muttersprache ist Ukrainisch, ich spreche auch Russisch und ein bisschen Englisch. Jetzt lerne ich Deutsch, weil ich hier leben und arbeiten möchte.
In meiner Freizeit koche ich gern und gehe mit meiner Familie spazieren.
Typical examiner questions after the monologue
After the self-introduction, the examiner asks 1–2 questions — almost always about something you mentioned yourself. You can use this: talk about a hobby you have a few more sentences to say about.
Was machen Sie in Ihrer Freizeit genau?
What exactly do you do in your free time?
Wie lange lernen Sie schon Deutsch?
How long have you been learning German?
Was sind Sie von Beruf? Möchten Sie hier arbeiten?
What is your profession? Do you want to work here?
Erzählen Sie etwas über Ihre Familie.
Tell me a little about your family.
Wie gefällt Ihnen Ihre Stadt?
How do you like your city?
Common mistakes
A memorized text delivered at machine-gun speed. The examiner sees rote learning and interrupts with a question — and without a template, a block occurs. This is remedied by practicing at a conversational pace with pauses.
Monosyllabic answers to questions ("Ja", "Zwei Jahre"). Each answer should be at least one complete sentence, preferably two: a question is a gift, a chance to say something prepared.
Topics that are too personal or complex. Don't delve into your biography for five minutes — Teil 1 has a time limit, and the examiner will interrupt. A minute of coherent speech is ideal.
FAQ
Can I memorize a story about myself?
Preparation is essential, but you should speak at a natural pace, with pauses. The examiner will interrupt a text memorized for speed with a question. Practice answering questions about your story as well.
What do they ask after the monologue?
Usually 1–2 questions about what you yourself have told: about work, hobbies, family, city. Mention in your monologue what you can say a couple more sentences about.
How much should I speak in Teil 1?
About a minute of coherent speech. Less than 30 seconds is too little, more than two minutes — the examiner will interrupt due to time limits.
Should I use «Sie» or «du» with the examiner?
With the examiner — always «Sie». You only use «du» with your partner in Teil 3 (planning), and only if you have agreed to do so.
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