Tamil: Background Language
Tamil: Background Language learning area contact:
- For all Tamil: Background Language course enquiries please contact:
Harpreet Kaur: +61 8 9442 9434 | Harpreet.Kaur@scsa.wa.edu.au - For Tamil: Background Language practical examination enquiries please contact:
Paul Cranley : +61 8 9273 6795 | Paul.Cranley@scsa.wa.edu.au
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.
The student portal will open for Year 10 students to submit a Language application from Monday, 22 June 2026.
Submission dates of Language Applications for enrolment in Language courses in 2027
Date | Year 10 students submit a Language Application* |
|---|---|
Wednesday, 29 July 2026 | Or earlier where the school starts the 2027 school year in Term 4, 2026 |
Friday, 28 August 2026 | Or earlier where the school starts the 2027 school year in Term 1, 2027 |
*or Year 9 gifted and talented/accelerated language students
Note: Language Applications for new enrolments in Year 11 and Year 12 2027 will open in late January 2027.
Language Applications for 2027 Year 12 non-school candidates will open in late January 2027.
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ATAR
The Tamil: Background Language ATAR course builds on and further develops a student’s language capability through engagement with the Tamil‐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 Tamil 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 Tamil language as well as extend literacy development in English.
SyllabusWhat's changing- ATAR Syllabus Year 11 - For teaching from 2026 (1004.0 KB)Last updated: 30 Jul 2026 1:51pmAlso available in Word Format (6.2 MB)
- ATAR Syllabus Year 12 (839.0 KB)Last updated: 04 Mar 2026 10:21amAlso available in Word Format (6.3 MB)
Grading Support Materials- ATAR Year 11 Syllabus - For teaching from 2027 (951.5 KB)Last updated: 25 Aug 2026 10:19amAlso available in Word Format (6.3 MB)
- ATAR Year 11 - Summary of minor syllabus changes for 2027 (260.3 KB)Last updated: 25 Aug 2026 10:20amAlso available in Word Format (34.9 KB)
- ATAR Year 12 What's changing - General capabilities (418.5 KB)Last updated: 30 Sep 2025 3:47pmAlso available in Word Format (318.7 KB)
- ATAR Year 12 What's changing - Rationale and Aims (396.4 KB)Last updated: 30 Sep 2025 3:47pmAlso available in Word Format (316.2 KB)
Examination Materials- ATAR Year 11 sample assessment outline (391.2 KB)Last updated: 21 Feb 2024 3:45pmAlso available in Word Format (354.5 KB)
- ATAR Year 11 sample course outline (465.2 KB)Last updated: 21 Feb 2024 3:45pmAlso available in Word Format (367.3 KB)
- ATAR Year 11 sample assessment tasks (732.5 KB)Last updated: 21 Feb 2024 3:45pmAlso available in Word Format (404.6 KB)
- ATAR Year 12 sample assessment outline (397.8 KB)Last updated: 10 Jan 2025 2:33pmAlso available in Word Format (3.8 MB)
- ATAR Year 12 sample course outline (514.4 KB)Last updated: 10 Jan 2025 2:33pmAlso available in Word Format (373.8 KB)
- ATAR Year 12 sample assessment tasks (1.0 MB)Last updated: 10 Jan 2025 2:34pmAlso available in Word Format (417.2 KB)
- 2026 TBL Examination Front Cover (287.7 KB)Last updated: 28 Aug 2026 9:00am
- 2026 TBL Practical (oral) examination Front Cover (266.3 KB)Last updated: 28 Aug 2026 9:01am
- 2026 Practical (oral) examination requirements (2.0 MB)Last updated: 27 Mar 2026 10:40am
- 2026 Practical (oral) marking key (324.1 KB)Last updated: 27 Mar 2026 10:40am
- 2026 Practical Examination – Personal Investigation Interview Sheet (181.7 KB)Last updated: 30 Apr 2026 9:52amAlso available in Word Format (85.1 KB)
- 2025 Examination (581.7 KB)Last updated: 28 Jan 2026 2:39pm
- 2025 Marking Key (299.1 KB)Last updated: 28 Jan 2026 2:39pm
- 2025 Recording Transcript (324.6 KB)Last updated: 28 Jan 2026 2:39pm
- 2025 Track 1 Tamil: Background Language (2.8 MB)Last updated: 29 Jan 2026 9:23am
- 2025 Track 2 - Text 1 Tamil: Background Language (29.2 MB)Last updated: 29 Jan 2026 9:23am
- 2025 Track 3 - Text 2 Tamil: Background Language (32.0 MB)Last updated: 29 Jan 2026 9:23am
- Preparing for the practical (oral) examination – Discussion of personal investigation (for use from 2025) (233.3 KB)Last updated: 14 Jan 2025 7:38amAlso available in Word Format (102.4 KB)