Quick Summary

The FIDE speaking test covers 11 official topic areas based on everyday life in Switzerland: Wohnumgebung (housing), Medien und Freizeit (media and leisure), Verkehr (transport), Einkäufe (shopping), Post/Bank/Versicherungen (post office, bank, insurance), Gesundheit (health), Arbeit (work), Kinder (children and school), Arbeitssuche (job search), Weiterbildung (further education), and Behörden (authorities). The speaking test lasts about 15 minutes and consists of three tasks at A2 level: describing a picture, role-playing a phone call, and having a conversation about daily life. After these tasks, examiners direct you to either A1 or B1 level for additional tasks. You do not choose your level in advance — the test determines it based on your performance. The speaking part counts for two-thirds of your oral result. Preparation should focus on practicing these 11 specific scenarios rather than studying general German.

Of everything about the FIDE exam, the speaking part creates the most anxiety. I have seen this with my husband, with friends, and with dozens of people who have reached out since I started writing about FIDE preparation. The pattern is always the same: people feel relatively okay about reading and writing, but the idea of sitting in front of an examiner and speaking German makes them freeze up.

Here is the thing — once you know exactly what the speaking test looks like and which topics it covers, most of that anxiety disappears. The FIDE speaking test is predictable. It follows a clear structure, it always draws from the same 11 topic areas, and the examiners are not trying to trick you. They want to see that you can communicate in everyday Swiss situations. That is it.

This guide breaks down every topic the FIDE speaking test can draw from, explains exactly how the test works, and gives you practical examples so you know what to expect.

How the FIDE Speaking Test Works

The speaking test lasts about 15 minutes. You sit across from one examiner who talks with you. A second examiner sits to the side, listens, and takes notes. There is no computer, no recording, no headphones. It is simply a face-to-face conversation.

The test always starts at the A2 level with three tasks:

Task 1 — Situationsbeschreibung (Picture Description): You receive a picture showing an everyday situation in Switzerland. You describe what you see — who is in the picture, where they are, what they are doing. This task is designed to show that you can identify and talk about common situations.

Task 2 — Telefonat (Phone Call Simulation): You role-play a telephone call with the examiner. You might need to make an appointment, change a reservation, cancel something, or ask for information. You need to give and receive information, react to what the examiner says, and handle a simple back-and-forth.

Task 3 — Gespräch (Conversation): The examiner asks you about your habits, preferences, experiences, or routines. This is the most open-ended part, but it still draws from the 11 official topics. You might be asked about your work, your commute, what you do on weekends, or how you handle a specific everyday situation.

After these three A2 tasks, the examiners quickly assess your performance and recommend either A1 or B1 for the next phase. They tell you their recommendation, and you decide whether to accept it. You confirm your choice with a signature.

If directed to A1, you get two shorter tasks: naming things you see in pictures, and responding to simple everyday interactions (like someone greeting you or asking a basic question).

If directed to B1, you get a longer conversation where you need to describe an experience in detail, explain a process or procedure, discuss the pros and cons of a situation, or give your opinion on a hypothetical scenario. The examiner gives you two topics to choose from.

Important scoring detail: The speaking part counts for two-thirds of your combined oral result. The listening comprehension part (Verstehen) makes up the remaining third. This means your speaking performance is the single most important factor in your oral score.

For the A1–A2 test, you need a combined score of at least 26% for A1 and 65% for A2. For the A2–B1 test, you need at least 43% for A2 and 79% for B1.

The 11 Official FIDE Speaking Topics

Every FIDE speaking task draws from one of these 11 topic areas. The topics are based on real situations you encounter living in Switzerland. Here is what each one covers, with examples of what the examiner might ask or have you role-play.

1. Wohnumgebung (Living Environment / Housing)

This topic covers everything related to where you live — your apartment, your landlord, your neighbors, and your neighborhood.

What the examiner might ask: Where do you live? What does your apartment look like? Do you like your neighborhood? Have you ever had a problem with your apartment? How do you communicate with your neighbors?

Phone call you might role-play: Calling your landlord because the heating is broken. Calling a Hausverwaltung to report a problem. Calling a neighbor to discuss noise.

Picture you might describe: Someone looking at an apartment listing. A neighbor talking to another neighbor in a hallway. A person reading a letter from their Verwaltung.

Key vocabulary to know: die Wohnung (apartment), der Vermieter (landlord), die Miete (rent), der Mietvertrag (rental contract), die Nebenkosten (utilities), die Nachbarn (neighbors), die Heizung (heating), der Schlüssel (key), die Hausverwaltung (property management), umziehen (to move), kündigen (to give notice).

2. Medien und Freizeit (Media and Leisure)

This topic is about how you spend your free time, media you consume, and social plans.

What the examiner might ask: What do you do in your free time? Do you read newspapers or watch TV? What did you do last weekend? Do you have any hobbies? How do you make plans with friends?

Phone call you might role-play: Calling a library to ask about membership. Calling a friend to make plans. Calling to reserve tickets for an event.

Key vocabulary: die Freizeit (free time), das Hobby (hobby), die Bibliothek (library), der Ausweis (membership card), ausleihen (to borrow), das Fernsehen (television), die Zeitung (newspaper), das Abonnement (subscription), einladen (to invite), sich treffen (to meet up).

3. Verkehr (Transport)

Everything related to getting around in Switzerland — trains, buses, trams, cars, and cycling.

What the examiner might ask: How do you get to work? Do you use public transport? Have you ever had a problem with a train or bus? Do you have a car? How is public transport where you live?

Phone call you might role-play: Calling the SBB to ask about a connection. Calling to report a lost item on public transport. Calling a taxi.

Key vocabulary: der Zug (train), der Bus (bus), das Tram (tram), das Velo (bicycle — Swiss term), das Billett (ticket — Swiss term), das Halbtax (half-fare card), das GA (general travel pass), der Fahrplan (timetable), umsteigen (to change/transfer), die Verspätung (delay), die Haltestelle (stop).

4. Einkäufe (Shopping)

Buying things, returning things, and dealing with shops and services.

What the examiner might ask: Where do you usually shop? Have you ever returned something to a store? How do you decide what to buy? Have you ever had a problem with something you bought?

Phone call you might role-play: Calling a store about a defective product. Calling to ask about opening hours. Calling to check if an item is available.

Key vocabulary: einkaufen (to shop), das Geschäft (shop), die Quittung (receipt), umtauschen (to exchange), zurückgeben (to return), reklamieren (to complain), das Angebot (offer/deal), der Preis (price), die Garantie (warranty), die Grösse (size — note Swiss spelling with ss).

5. Post, Bank und Versicherungen (Post Office, Bank, and Insurance)

Financial and postal services you deal with in Swiss daily life.

What the examiner might ask: Do you have a Swiss bank account? Have you ever sent a package at the post office? What kind of insurance do you have? Have you ever had to make an insurance claim?

Phone call you might role-play: Calling the bank about a problem with your account. Calling the post office to track a package. Calling your Krankenkasse about a bill.

Key vocabulary: das Konto (account), die Überweisung (transfer), das Paket (package), die Briefmarke (stamp), einzahlen (to deposit), abheben (to withdraw), die Krankenkasse (health insurance), die Prämie (premium), die Rechnung (bill), die Franchise (deductible — used in Swiss insurance context).

6. Gesundheit (Health)

Doctor visits, pharmacy interactions, health emergencies, and the Swiss healthcare system.

What the examiner might ask: How often do you go to the doctor? Can you describe a time you were sick? What do you do when you have a headache? Do you have a Hausarzt?

Phone call you might role-play: Calling a doctor's office to make or change an appointment. Calling a pharmacy to ask about medication. Calling in sick to work.

Key vocabulary: der Arzt / die Ärztin (doctor), der Hausarzt (family doctor), die Praxis (doctor's office), der Termin (appointment), das Rezept (prescription), die Apotheke (pharmacy), Schmerzen haben (to have pain), Fieber haben (to have a fever), die Krankenkassenkarte (insurance card), die Notaufnahme (emergency room).

This is one of the most commonly tested topics. Practice describing symptoms in simple German — you do not need medical terminology, just phrases like "Ich habe Kopfschmerzen" (I have a headache) or "Mein Rücken tut weh" (My back hurts).

7. Arbeit (Work)

Workplace situations, interactions with colleagues, and work routines.

What the examiner might ask: What is your job? What does a typical workday look like? Do you like your work? Have you ever had a problem at work? How do you communicate with your colleagues?

Phone call you might role-play: Calling your boss to say you will be late. Calling to request vacation time. Calling a colleague about a meeting.

Key vocabulary: die Arbeit (work), der Beruf (profession), der Arbeitsvertrag (employment contract), die Ferien (vacation — Swiss term, not "Urlaub"), der Chef / die Chefin (boss), die Sitzung (meeting), die Teilzeit (part-time), die Vollzeit (full-time), das Gehalt (salary), kündigen (to resign/terminate).

8. Kinder (Children and School)

Childcare, school life, parent-teacher interactions, and everything related to raising children in Switzerland. Even if you do not have children, this topic can appear in your exam.

What the examiner might ask: Do you have children? Where do your children go to school? What is a typical school day like? Have you been to an Elternabend? How did you find a daycare?

Phone call you might role-play: Calling the school to report your child's absence. Calling a Krippe to ask about availability. Calling to arrange a parent-teacher meeting.

Key vocabulary: das Kind (child), die Schule (school), der Kindergarten (kindergarten — mandatory from age 4 in most Swiss cantons), die Krippe / die Kita (daycare), die Spielgruppe (playgroup), der Elternabend (parents' evening), das Elterngespräch (parent-teacher meeting), die Hausaufgabe (homework), das Zeugnis (report card), die Lehrerin (teacher), krank melden (to report sick).

Swiss cultural note: In Switzerland, Kindergarten is part of the public school system and is mandatory and free in most cantons from age 4. Schools expect high parental involvement, and you will receive many letters and invitations that require a written response.

9. Arbeitssuche (Job Search)

Looking for work, dealing with the employment office, and job interviews.

What the examiner might ask: Have you ever looked for a job in Switzerland? What is your profession? How do you look for jobs? Have you been to the RAV?

Phone call you might role-play: Calling about a job advertisement. Calling the RAV to make an appointment. Calling to follow up on an application.

Key vocabulary: die Stelle (job/position), die Bewerbung (application), der Lebenslauf (CV), das Vorstellungsgespräch (job interview), das RAV (regional employment office), sich bewerben (to apply), die Stellenanzeige (job advertisement), die Erfahrung (experience), die Ausbildung (education/training), Teilzeit/Vollzeit (part-time/full-time).

10. Weiterbildung (Further Education)

Courses, professional development, and learning opportunities.

What the examiner might ask: Have you ever taken a course in Switzerland? What would you like to learn? How do you learn best? Have you done any professional training?

Phone call you might role-play: Calling to register for a course. Calling to ask about course schedules and prices. Calling to cancel or change a registration.

Key vocabulary: der Kurs (course), die Anmeldung (registration), sich anmelden (to register), die Prüfung (exam), das Zertifikat (certificate), die Kursgebühr (course fee), der Stundenplan (schedule), absagen (to cancel), die Volkshochschule (adult education center), die Klubschule Migros (Migros continuing education — very Swiss-specific).

11. Behörden (Authorities)

Dealing with Swiss government offices — your Gemeinde, the migration office, the Strassenverkehrsamt, and other official institutions.

What the examiner might ask: Have you been to your Gemeinde? What did you need to do there? How did you get your residence permit? Have you ever had to fill out official forms?

Phone call you might role-play: Calling the Gemeinde to make an appointment. Calling the migration office about your permit status. Calling the Strassenverkehrsamt about converting your driving license.

Key vocabulary: die Gemeinde (municipality), das Einwohneramt (residents' registration office), die Aufenthaltsbewilligung (residence permit — B permit), die Niederlassungsbewilligung (settlement permit — C permit), die Einbürgerung (naturalization/citizenship), der Ausweis (ID card), das Formular (form), der Antrag (application), sich anmelden (to register), sich abmelden (to deregister), der Termin (appointment).

This topic is especially relevant because the FIDE test was specifically designed for immigration contexts. Being able to discuss your interactions with Swiss authorities shows exactly the kind of practical communication the test is measuring.

How to Prepare for FIDE Speaking

Knowing the topics is half the battle. Here is how to turn that knowledge into exam readiness:

Practice describing pictures out loud every day. Find any picture of an everyday scene — on your phone, in a magazine, online — and spend 2 minutes describing it in German. Use simple sentences: "Ich sehe eine Frau. Sie ist in einer Apotheke. Sie spricht mit dem Apotheker." Do this daily for two weeks and it will feel completely natural on exam day.

Role-play phone calls. Get a language partner, a tutor on italki, or even use an AI chatbot. Practice the most common phone scenarios: making an appointment, canceling something, asking for information, reporting a problem. These calls follow predictable patterns, and once you have done each type 5–10 times, you will handle them with confidence.

Prepare a strong personal introduction. Every speaking test begins with small talk. Know how to say where you live, what you do for work, how long you have been in Switzerland, and what your family situation is. Practice this until it flows naturally — it sets the tone for the whole exam and builds your confidence from the first minute.

Learn time-buying phrases. These are lifesavers when you need a moment to think: "Moment bitte..." (One moment please), "Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?" (Can you repeat that?), "Wie sagt man... auf Deutsch?" (How do you say... in German?), "Ich verstehe die Frage nicht ganz" (I don't fully understand the question). Using these phrases is not a sign of weakness — it shows communicative competence, which is exactly what the examiners want to see.

Listen to German every single day. This might sound like it is about listening, not speaking, but your brain cannot produce language patterns it has never heard. Listen to Easy German on YouTube, Deutsche Welle's Langsam Gesprochene Nachrichten (slowly spoken news), or the SRF news app. Even 15 minutes during your commute trains your ear to recognize the sounds and rhythms that will come out of your mouth during the exam.

Do not memorize scripts. Examiners can tell immediately when someone is reciting a memorized answer, and it backfires the moment they ask a follow-up question you did not prepare for. Instead, practice talking about each topic freely in your own words. Imperfect but genuine communication scores higher than perfect but robotic recitation.

What the Examiners Are Actually Looking For

The FIDE speaking test is not looking for perfect grammar. It is looking for:

Can you make yourself understood? If the examiner can follow what you are saying, you are doing well — even if your grammar is imperfect.

Can you react to what the other person says? The phone call and conversation tasks test whether you can actually interact, not just deliver monologues.

Can you handle common everyday situations? The topics are practical for a reason. The test measures whether you can function in Swiss daily life.

Can you use basic vocabulary for the topic at hand? You do not need advanced words. Simple, correct vocabulary for each topic area is enough.

A description like "Ich sehe Mann. Er ist Arzt. Frau sitzt. Sie hat Problem mit Bein." is imperfect German, but it communicates clearly and would score points at A2. Do not let the fear of making mistakes stop you from speaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose which topic comes up in my speaking test? No. The examiner chooses the picture, the phone call scenario, and the conversation topic. But all of them come from the 11 official topics listed above, so if you have practiced all 11, nothing will surprise you. At the B1 level, you do get to choose between two conversation topics.

What if I do not have children — do I still need to know the Kinder topic? Yes. The topic might come up as a picture description or conversation topic regardless of your personal situation. You might be asked to describe a picture of a school scene, or the examiner might ask what schools are like in your home country.

What if I do not understand a question? Ask the examiner to repeat it. "Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?" is a perfectly acceptable thing to say. The examiner may rephrase the question to help you. This is not penalized — in fact, asking for clarification is a communicative skill the test values.

Should I try for B1 when the examiner offers it? Only if you specifically prepared for B1. The B1 tasks require you to describe experiences in detail, explain processes, and discuss pros and cons — a significant step up from A2. If you prepared for A2, take the safe A1 route and lock in a solid A2 result.

Start Practicing Today

The fastest way to prepare for the FIDE speaking test is to practice with the actual topics and scenarios you will encounter. My book "FIDE German A1/A2 Exam Prep" includes real dialogue scripts for all 11 topics, essential vocabulary lists, and practical speaking exercises designed around the exact FIDE test format.

→ Get the FIDE Exam Prep Book on Amazon

For free speaking practice, try the FIDE Speaking Coach chatbot and download Anki flashcards for all 11 topics at fide-prep.ch.

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