telc B1 "Planning Together": Language Tools, Examples and Topics
What does “Planning Together” mean in telc B1?
“Planning Together” is the third part of the telc B1 oral exam. You sit across from your conversation partner and you both receive a task: you are to organize something together, for example a summer party, a trip or a move. On the task sheet there is a situation and below it several points you should discuss, such as date, location, costs or who brings what.
Your task is clear: you make a suggestion, your partner responds, you discuss briefly and agree on something. What matters is not the perfect plan, but a real conversation. The examiners want to see that you can make suggestions, agree, politely decline and reach a decision.
The structure of the task
The task sheet always has a similar structure:
- Situation: the framework, for example “A friend has a birthday. Plan a surprise party together.”
- Planning points: a list of keywords, for example When? Where? Food and drinks? Who invites? How much does it cost?
- Your task: Discuss the points and reach a decision together at the end.
It’s best to go through the points in order. That way you won’t forget anything and the conversation has a clear structure.
The most important language tools
Learn these phrases by heart before the exam. In the conversation, you just need to fill in the topic.
1. Making a suggestion
- I suggest that we …
- We could … / How about …?
- Let’s just …
- I have an idea: …
2. Agreeing
- That’s a good idea!
- That sounds good, let’s do it that way.
- I completely agree with you on that.
- Agreed!
3. Politely declining or making a counter-proposal
- That’s a good suggestion, but …
- I think it would be better if we …
- Hmm, I’m not sure. How about instead …?
- That might be too expensive. Maybe we could instead …
4. Asking questions and involving your partner
- What do you think about that?
- Do you have another idea?
- How do you see that?
5. Making a decision
- OK, let’s do it that way then.
- So we agree: …
- Then our plan is set: We meet on … at …
Example: a short dialogue
Here’s what an excerpt might sound like if you’re planning a joint barbecue:
- A: I suggest we barbecue on Saturday. What do you think?
- B: That sounds good! But I work until 4 pm on Saturday. How about Sunday?
- A: Agreed, let’s do it on Sunday then. Where should we meet?
- B: The park would be nice. I’ll bring the grill. Can you get the meat?
- A: Sure, I’ll do that. And we’ll share the drinks. OK, so our plan is set!
You see: short sentences, clear suggestions, friendly responses. That’s exactly what gets graded.
Typical topics in the exam
The tasks almost always revolve around everyday situations. Frequent topics include:
- planning a party (birthday, farewell party, summer party)
- organizing a trip or travel (hiking, city trip, bike tour)
- helping someone with a move
- preparing a cooking evening or shared meal
- choosing a gift for someone
- organizing childcare or tutoring
Feel free to practice with different topics. The language tools always stay the same; only the topic-specific words change.
The most common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Talking too long in a monologue: Don’t speak alone. Make a suggestion and give your partner a turn to speak.
- Ignoring your partner: Always respond to what your partner says. Phrases like “Good idea, but …” show that you’re listening.
- Not reaching a decision: Don’t forget to agree at the end. Say clearly “So we’ll do it that way.”
- Being too afraid of mistakes: Small grammar mistakes don’t matter. What’s more important is that you speak fluently and are understood.
How to prepare well
Speak out loud before the exam. Find a study partner or practice with sample tasks from the internet. In the structured B1 course from V-IZ, you train these exact conversation situations with a real teacher, and an AI trainer helps you with speaking and pronunciation, even when you don’t have a partner right now. That’s how you’ll go into the oral exam with confidence.
Conclusion
“Planning Together” is doable once you know the language tools and stay calm. Go through the points in order, make suggestions, respond kindly to your partner and reach a clear decision at the end. Anyone who practices regularly usually passes this section without problems. Find out more about the level and preparation on the B1 course page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the "Planning Together" section take?
The entire telc B1 oral exam takes about 15 minutes and has three parts. For planning together, you only have a few minutes. So don't plan too many details; instead, agree quickly on the day, location and tasks.
Does the plan need to be finished and perfect at the end?
No. You are assessed on how you speak, not whether the plan is perfect. What matters is that you make suggestions, respond to your partner and that you both reach a decision together. A simple, clear plan is completely sufficient.
What if my partner barely speaks?
Stay calm and ask questions, for example "What do you mean?" or "Do you have a better idea?". This way you get your partner to engage in the conversation. You won't get a worse grade if your partner says little. On the contrary: whoever involves the other shows good conversational skills.
How many points do I need to pass telc B1?
You need at least 60 out of 120 points overall, that is 50 percent. The exam has a written and an oral part. You can retake one part if only one is failed. Ask your exam center for the exact rules.
Can I memorize language tools?
Yes, that's even recommended. Learn fixed phrases for making suggestions, agreeing, counter-proposing and deciding. In the conversation, you just need to fill in the topic. This way you save time and speak more confidently.
What is the difference compared to the DTZ exam in this section?
Both exams have a very similar section on planning together. With DTZ, the result is A2 or B1 depending on performance. With telc B1, it's only about level B1. But the language tools are almost the same, so you can practice with the same material.