DTZ Speaking: Picture Description and Planning

DTZ speaking takes about 16 minutes, normally with a partner, and has no preparation time. Practise introducing yourself, speaking about a pictured situation and your experience, and making a plan together. A prepared biography alone does not cover the conversation.

Move from visible details to experience

Start with the people, place and action you can see. Add a cautious interpretation only when necessary: “Vielleicht warten sie auf den Bus.” Then answer the examiner’s question about your experience. You do not need an impressive story. A short account with a place, reason and result gives the listener more to follow than a list of objects.

Original picture scenario for practice

Imagine a picture of two adults and a child beside bicycles in a park. This is an original text scenario, not an actual image or an official task. Describe it, then answer: How do you travel with your family?

Auf dem Bild sehe ich zwei Erwachsene und ein Kind neben Fahrrädern in einem Park. Vielleicht ist das eine Familie, die einen Ausflug macht. Ich fahre am Wochenende auch gern Fahrrad. Letzten Sonntag bin ich mit meiner Schwester zum See gefahren, weil das Wetter gut war. Wir haben dort ein Picknick gemacht.

The answer moves from observation to a marked guess and then to experience. Do not pretend you can see details that were not supplied. A follow-up such as “What do you do when it rains?” needs a new answer, not a return to your memorized description.

Make decisions with your partner

Anna: Wir wollen für den Kurs ein Picknick organisieren. Passt dir Samstag? Max: Am Samstag arbeite ich. Können wir uns am Sonntag treffen? Anna: Ja, um elf Uhr im Park? Ich bringe Brot und Käse mit. Max: Gut. Ich kaufe Getränke. Und wenn es regnet? Anna: Dann treffen wir uns im Kursraum. Ich frage vorher, ob er frei ist.

In this original dialogue both speakers propose, respond and take responsibility. Practise changing one condition, such as the date or budget. Before finishing, summarize the agreed time, place and jobs. During review, check whether you asked a question, responded to a suggestion and gave a reason. Speaking for longer is not a substitute for involving your partner.