German · Real conversations
Meetings: German conversation practice
Clarify a process and agree on next steps. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
B1 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A colleague taking part in a short team discussion.
Goal: Clarify a process and agree on next steps.
Read the conversation
Partner
Wir haben einen Plan für die Veranstaltung vereinbart.
Show English translation
We've agreed on a plan for the event.
You
Könntest du mir den Plan Schritt für Schritt erklären?
Show English translation
Could you walk me through the plan?
Partner
Zuerst reservieren wir den Raum, dann verschicken wir die Einladungen.
Show English translation
First we reserve the room, then send invitations.
You
Wer ist für die Buchung zuständig?
Show English translation
Who's responsible for the booking?
Partner
Anna wird ihn buchen. Danach brauchen wir die Hilfe von allen.
Show English translation
Anna will book it. We'll need everyone to help after that.
You
Was sind die nächsten Schritte?
Show English translation
What are the next steps?
Partner
Dann bestätigen wir die Teilnehmerzahl. Außerdem gibt es eine lange Diskussion über das Catering.
Show English translation
Next we confirm numbers. There's also a long discussion about catering.
You
Könnten wir später darauf zurückkommen?
Show English translation
Could we come back to that?
Partner
Ja, über das Catering können wir später sprechen. Ich schreibe eine Zusammenfassung.
Show English translation
Yes, we can discuss catering later. I'll prepare a written summary.
You
Könntest du mir die Einzelheiten schicken?
Show English translation
Could you send me the details?
Try your part first
Partner says: We've agreed on a plan for the event. Your goal: Could you walk me through the plan?
Reveal a sample reply
Könntest du mir den Plan Schritt für Schritt erklären?
Could you walk me through the plan?
Partner says: First we reserve the room, then send invitations. Your goal: Who's responsible for the booking?
Reveal a sample reply
Wer ist für die Buchung zuständig?
Who's responsible for the booking?
Partner says: Anna will book it. We'll need everyone to help after that. Your goal: What are the next steps?
Reveal a sample reply
Was sind die nächsten Schritte?
What are the next steps?
Partner says: Next we confirm numbers. There's also a long discussion about catering. Your goal: Could we come back to that?
Reveal a sample reply
Könnten wir später darauf zurückkommen?
Could we come back to that?
Partner says: Yes, we can discuss catering later. I'll prepare a written summary. Your goal: Could you send me the details?
Reveal a sample reply
Könntest du mir die Einzelheiten schicken?
Could you send me the details?
Make it your own
- Ask about a different process.
- Clarify who owns the next step.
- Request the details in writing.
Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.
This rehearsal in other languages
A note on speaking German
Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.
The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.
