WACE ATAR German: Background Language
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German: Background Language is a Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) ATAR Language course for senior secondary students who already have a background in German. It is administered by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority), and the syllabus materials on the Authority's page describe the course as building on and further developing a student's language capability through engagement with German-speaking communities locally and overseas, and through the study of contemporary texts, topics and issues. The course strengthens personal connections to German language and culture, focuses on the interrelationship of language and culture, and extends literacy in German as well as literacy development in English, preparing students to function in a globalised society and a culturally and linguistically diverse local community.
Assessment has two external components: a written examination and a practical (oral) examination, each weighted at 50 per cent. The Authority publishes examination front covers for both, practical examination requirements and a marking key, a personal investigation interview sheet, and past written examinations with marking keys, recording transcripts and audio tracks. The oral examination includes discussion of a personal investigation, and the Authority publishes a separate preparation guide for it.
Enrolment is not automatic: a student intending to enrol in a WACE Language course needs the Authority's approval, obtained by submitting a Language application through the student portal while in Year 10, with supporting documentation, by the deadline in the Activities Schedule. Schools endorse applications through SRMS. The Year 11 syllabus is for teaching from 2026 and the Year 12 syllabus for teaching from 2024. Preparation should combine the syllabus, sample assessment outlines, tasks and course outlines, past papers and audio, and the oral requirements documents.
What you'll study
About WACE ATAR German: Background Language preparation
Who can take German: Background Language?
It is a WACE ATAR Language course designed for students with a background in German, building on existing capability rather than starting from scratch. Enrolment requires the Authority's approval: you submit a Language application through the student portal while in Year 10, with supporting documentation, by the published deadline, and your school endorses it through SRMS.
What does the assessment consist of?
Two external components: a written examination and a practical (oral) examination, each weighted at 50 per cent. The Authority publishes front covers for both, detailed practical (oral) examination requirements and a marking key, and past written examinations with marking keys, recording transcripts and audio tracks for listening sections.
What happens in the oral examination?
It is a practical examination that includes discussion of a personal investigation. The Authority publishes a Personal Investigation Interview Sheet and a guide titled Preparing for the practical (oral) examination – Discussion of personal investigation, plus the examination requirements and marking key. Read those documents early so your investigation topic and vocabulary are ready well before the examination.
How long are the examinations and what is the pass mark?
The Authority's German: Background Language page does not state examination durations, a pass mark or a fee. Those details sit in the syllabus and examination materials, so check the current syllabus PDFs and front covers rather than relying on second-hand figures. Treat any duration or mark you see elsewhere as unverified until confirmed on the Authority's site.
Can I retake the examination?
The source page does not describe a retake policy for this course. WACE rules on repeating or replacing results are set by the Authority elsewhere, so ask your school's curriculum office or check the Authority's WACE and Year 12 Information Handbook pages. Do not assume an automatic retake or a fee-free resit.
Which syllabus applies to me?
The Year 11 ATAR syllabus is for teaching from 2026, and the Year 12 ATAR syllabus is for teaching from 2024. A Year 12 syllabus for teaching from 2027 has also been published but is not yet in force. Confirm with your teacher which document governs your cohort, and note that the Authority is reviewing the ATAR syllabuses.
How should I prepare for the written examination?
Work from the syllabus and the sample course outline, sample assessment outline and sample assessment tasks for your year. Then practise with past examinations, marking keys, recording transcripts and the audio tracks, which let you rehearse listening under real conditions. Use the glossary of key words so you answer question types precisely rather than approximately.
Where do the common marks get lost?
Two recurring risks: treating the oral as general conversation when it requires a prepared personal investigation with depth and specific vocabulary, and practising listening only by reading transcripts instead of working from the audio. A third is ignoring the glossary of key words, which leads to answers that miss the required depth or format.
When do applications for 2027 enrolment close?
The student portal opens for Year 10 students to submit a Language application from Monday, 22 June 2026. Submit by Wednesday, 29 July 2026 where the school starts the 2027 school year in Term 4, 2026, or by Friday, 28 August 2026 where it starts in Term 1, 2027. Late applications risk no enrolment approval.
Where can I get official information?
The Authority's German: Background Language page hosts the syllabuses, what's-changing documents, grade descriptions, sample outlines and tasks, examination materials and past papers. Course enquiries go to Sonia Belot and practical examination enquiries to Dianne Rogers, using the contact details listed there. Always check the live page for the latest version.