Italian: Background Language learning area contacts:

Enrolment information

A student who intends to enrol in a Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) Language course can only do so if they have approval from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority).

For a student to gain approval to enrol, they must complete an Application for permission to enrol in a WACE Language course (Language application) via the student portal (https://studentportal.scsa.wa.edu.au/home ) while they are in Year 10* and submit it to the Authority, with the required supporting documentation, by the deadline published in the Activities Schedule. A student’s enrolment status is determined by the Authority on a case-by-case basis.

Schools must endorse these WACE language applications via the Student Records Management System (SRMS) (https://srms.scsa.wa.edu.au).

For further information visit https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/sirs-and-srms-info/srms-information/wace-language-applications.

Submission dates of Language Applications for enrolment in Language courses in 2025

*or Year 9 gifted and talented/accelerated language students

Note: Language Applications for new enrolments in Year 11 and Year 12 will open in late January 2025.

Language Applications for non-school candidates will open in late January 2025.

• ATAR

  The Italian: Background Language ATAR course builds on and further develops a student’s language capability through engagement with the Italian‐speaking communities, locally and overseas, and through the study of contemporary texts, topics and issues. The course affords students with a background in the language the opportunity to strengthen their personal connections to the Italian language and culture. The course focuses on the interrelationship of language and culture, and further enhances the skills students possess to function in an increasingly globalised society, a culturally and linguistically diverse local community, and continues to build the foundation for life-long language learning. Relevant and engaging tasks, delivered through a range of appropriate topics, texts and issues, develop literacy in the Italian language as well as extend literacy development in English.

  • Guidelines for course delivery and assessment of student achievement

  Syllabus

  •  ATAR Syllabus Year 11 - For teaching from 2024 (523.0 KB) Last updated: 06 Feb 2024 1:45pm
  •  ATAR Syllabus Year 11 - For teaching from 2024 (179.5 KB) Last updated: 06 Feb 2024 1:45pm
  •  ATAR Syllabus Year 11 (355.8 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:41pm
  •  ATAR Syllabus Year 11 (166.4 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:41pm
  •  ATAR Syllabus Year 12 - For teaching from 2024 (511.2 KB) Last updated: 06 Feb 2024 1:46pm
  •  ATAR Syllabus Year 12 - For teaching from 2024 (176.5 KB) Last updated: 06 Feb 2024 1:46pm
  •  ATAR Syllabus Year 12 (494.2 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:41pm
  •  ATAR Syllabus Year 12 (167.2 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:41pm

  Grading

  • Grade descriptions in Year 11 syllabus

  • Grade descriptions in Year 12 syllabus

  Support Materials

  •  Glossary of key words used in the formulation of questions (328.7 KB) Last updated: 28 Jan 2025 7:24am
  •  Glossary of key words used in the formulation of questions (211.7 KB) Last updated: 28 Jan 2025 7:24am
  •  ATAR Year 12 sample assessment outline (355.9 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:23pm
  •  ATAR Year 12 sample assessment outline (243.1 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:23pm
  •  ATAR Year 12 sample assessment tasks (627.8 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:23pm
  •  ATAR Year 12 sample assessment tasks (2.2 MB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:23pm
  •  ATAR Year 12 sample course outline (260.9 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:23pm
  •  ATAR Year 12 sample course outline (362.6 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:23pm
  •  ATAR Year 11 sample assessment outline (352.3 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:41pm
  •  ATAR Year 11 sample assessment outline (247.2 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:41pm
  •  ATAR Year 11 sample assessment tasks (750.3 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:41pm
  •  ATAR Year 11 sample assessment tasks (429.7 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:41pm
  •  ATAR Year 11 sample course outline (363.7 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:41pm
  •  ATAR Year 11 sample course outline (286.4 KB) Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:41pm

  Examination Materials

  •  2024 Examination (475.9 KB) Last updated: 03 Feb 2025 11:24am
  •  2024 Marking Key (727.5 KB) Last updated: 03 Feb 2025 11:24am
  •  2024 Recording Transcript (631.7 KB) Last updated: 03 Feb 2025 11:24am
  •  2024 Track 1 Italian Background Language (2.7 MB) Last updated: 14 Feb 2025 1:28pm
  •  2024 Track 2 - Text 1 Italian Background Language (22.7 MB) Last updated: 14 Feb 2025 1:28pm
  •  2024 Track 3 - Text 2 Italian Background Language (21.1 MB) Last updated: 14 Feb 2025 1:28pm
  •  2024 ITB Practical Preparation Booklet Front Cover (218.8 KB) Last updated: 23 Aug 2024 9:55am
  •  2024 Practical (oral) marking key (278.8 KB) Last updated: 22 Mar 2024 2:05pm
  •  2024 Practical (oral) examination requirements (907.4 KB) Last updated: 22 Mar 2024 2:06pm
  •  Preparing for the practical (oral) examination – Discussion of personal investigation (for use from 2024) (230.0 KB) Last updated: 25 Mar 2024 9:04am
  •  Preparing for the practical (oral) examination – Discussion of personal investigation (for use from 2024) (93.5 KB) Last updated: 25 Mar 2024 9:04am
  •  Additional Past ATAR Course Examinations

Syllabus Review

The Authority is reviewing the Italian: Background Language ATAR syllabuses and Teachers and stakeholders are invited to provide feedback through the online survey below.

Public consultation draft syllabuses:

Italian: Background Language ATAR syllabus review public consultation survey:
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8180076/2025-Background-Language-ATAR-Years-11-and-12-syllabus-review-consultation

Note: The survey will close on Friday, 14 March 2025.

For further information, please contact:
Nadia Civa
Manager, Curriculum and Assessment
Nadia.Civa@scsa.wa.edu.au