The German Speaking Exam

The German speaking exam is over now! I never have to speak German again in my life…

Although I probably will, if I get a grade B and do German at the college!

I went into the SDR (holding room) to do some revision 60 minutes before the exam and revised ‘Die Umwelt’ (the environment). I was still hesitating every few sentences, something that shouldn’t be done in speaking exams.

The role play I was given was role play 8:

You are talking on the phone to your German friend about his/her trip to England this summer, what you are going to do and your plans for the future.

Easy! The first thing I had to do was say what we were going to do, so I said that we’d go to the cinema and play football. Next, I had to say what I’m going to do next school year. I said that I was going to study Geography and German because they’re easy. Then: was I planning to go to university. I said that I didn’t want to go, because it was too expensive. Less than 24 hours later, and I’ve already forgotten what the unpredictable element was.

I then did the presentation, and the questions attached to it. That went well.

After that, the topic questions. I first got asked on school, and on the question about work experience I said something like:

I worked in an office, where I had to answer the phone. That wasn’t good because I don’t like talking to other people.

I then got asked on leisure, in particular I was asked about books and music. I said that I liked reading small books because they were easier. Then I was asked what the last book I read was, and I said the first thing that came into my head: Harry Potter. Not exactly small then.

I was also asked what I was like when I was younger. The result was a complete lie – something like:

When I was younger I was sporty, and I played football every week. Now I am not sporty, I find sport dangerous.

The final topic was tourism: I spoke about where I go on holiday (Greece), and was also asked about tourism in Cirencester. I did say something slightly odd here:

Cirencester doesn’t have enough tourists. I think there should be more because they have money.

I forgot that we are in the middle of a ‘Finanzkrise’ (German for financial crisis).

Overall, the exam went very well. Hopefully, the examiner will see how much effort I put in! I also didn’t hesitate!

Unfortunatley for me, I failed the challenge that Mrs. F (school librarian) set me: to get the word ‘Ausfahrt’ (motorway exit) into the exam, and my own challenge of getting the word ‘Schwarzwälderkirschtorte’ (black forest gateau) in as well.