Speaking in the B2 - German course

If you are attending a German course at B2 level, speaking is the main focus. At this stage, it‘s no longer just about making yourself understood or exchanging simple information. Now you learn how to express your own opinion on various topics clearly and convincingly. It is especially important to remain polite and objective – even when disagreeing with someone or offering criticism. In the course, you will learn how to do this best, which expressions can help you, and how to structure your arguments.

1. Expressing your own opinion – but how?

You may know this: You have a clear opinion on a topic, but you find it difficult to express it in a way that others understand and take seriously. In B2 German classes, you will learn how to achieve this. It's not enough to simply say, "That's how it is!" or "I think that's bad." It's much better if you introduce your opinion with specific phrases. This shows that you reflect and that you know there are other viewpoints as well.

Typical phrases for expressing your own opinion are, for example:

- I think that…
- In my opinion…
- I am of the opinion that…
- From my perspective…
- I find that…
- I believe that…
- As far as I know, …

With such formulations, you make it clear that you are expressing a personal opinion and not claiming to know the absolute truth. This makes your demeanor sympathetic and open to discussions.

Example: "In my opinion, more should be invested in public transport because it is more environmentally friendly."

 

2. Arguing – Convince with good reasons

At B2 level, it's no longer enough to just state your opinion. Now you also need to be able to justify it. This means: You provide arguments that support your viewpoint. This way, you are much more likely to convince others of your standpoint.

How do you construct an argument?

1. State your opinion: First, say what you think.

2. Provide justification: Explain why you think that way.

3. Give an example: Clarify your argument with a concrete example.

Phrases for arguments:

- The most important reason for this is that…

- Another argument is that…

- Furthermore, one should not forget that…

- I find it particularly important that…

- For example…

- This is evident from the fact that…

Example:

"I think that working from home has many advantages. The most important reason for this is that you save time and money on the commute. Furthermore, you can often organize your work better. For example, parents can arrange their working hours more flexibly."

3. Politely disagreeing and criticizing

In professional life or in everyday situations, you will repeatedly find yourself in situations where you disagree with the person you are talking to. Especially in German-speaking countries, there is an emphasis on expressing criticism politely and factually. You should definitely avoid personal attacks – this is considered rude and can worsen the atmosphere of the conversation.

 

How do you politely disagree?

 

- I see it a bit differently because…

- I have a different opinion on that.

- I can understand what you mean, but…

- That is an interesting point; however…

- I am not entirely convinced, because…

- However, there are also arguments against it, for example…

 

Example:

"I can understand that you are in favor of longer working hours because more can be accomplished. However, I think that productivity depends not only on working hours but also on employee motivation."

 

How do you criticize factually?

 

- I would like to point out that…

- May I make another suggestion?

- I have a different approach, namely…

- I see this critically because…

- I would solve this differently, namely…

 

Example:

"May I say something about this? I find that the proposal is interesting, but I see it critically because the costs would be very high."

4. Showing understanding for other opinions

An important aspect at B2 level is that you show that you respect other opinions, even if you do not share them. This is called empathy. You signal that you are listening and understand the arguments of others. This is especially important when you are working in a team or dealing with people from different cultures.

Phrases to show understanding:

- I understand your point of view.

- I can relate to that.

- I see why you see it that way.

- There are certainly good reasons for your opinion.

- I can understand your point well; however, I think…

Example:

"I can well understand why you are against the new project. There are certainly risks. Nevertheless, I think we should give it a try because the opportunities are great."

5. Practical exercises for everyday life and work

How can you practice all of this? In the German course, there are many opportunities, but you can also do a lot in everyday life:

- Role plays: Imagine you are in a meeting and have to contradict your boss. Practice such situations with friends or classmates.

- Discussions: Choose a current topic from the news and discuss it with others. Try to support your opinion with arguments.

- Giving feedback: Provide constructive feedback to others, for example, on a presentation or a text. Make sure to remain friendly and factual.

- Use linguistic means consciously: Write down phrases and try to use them purposefully in conversation.

- Podcasts and videos: Listen to discussions or talk shows in German and pay attention to how the speakers argue and disagree.

6. Typical situations in professional life

Especially in the workplace, it is important to speak politely and convincingly. Imagine you are in a meeting and your colleague suggests a new working method that you do not find good. Now you have to diplomatically say that you disagree and explain why.

Example of a conversation in a meeting:

Colleague: "I think we should document all tasks in an online spreadsheet from now on."

You: "That's an interesting suggestion, and I see that it could facilitate collaboration. However, I am skeptical because not all colleagues are familiar with such tools. Perhaps we could first offer a training session before we implement the system."

Here, you show that you appreciate the idea but also have concerns – and you make a constructive counterproposal.

7. Mistakes are allowed – the main thing is that you dare!

Many learners are afraid of making mistakes or not finding the right words. But especially when speaking, it is important to just start. Over time, you will become more confident, your sentences will flow more smoothly, and you will learn how to express your opinion better and better. The phrases will help you express yourself clearly and politely.

German B2 - Level: reach this goal

At B2 level, you learn not only to make yourself understood but also to actively participate in conversations and discussions. You can express your opinion, support it with arguments, disagree politely, and respect other opinions. This is an important skill in professional life, in studies, and in everyday life. The more you practice, the easier it will become for you to express yourself clearly, factually, and convincingly in German. Dare to do it – your opinion matters!