German Language Week

German Language Week invites you to celebrate your German program with additional activities beyond regular classroom teaching – together with many other schools across Australia and New Zealand.

Whether small or large, in the classroom or beyond: every activity is welcome. With very little extra effort, you can spark motivation, raise interest and show that German has a strong place at your school.

Banner German Language Week © Goethe-Institut

What is the German Language Week?

The German Language Week is an annual initiative that showcases German language teaching, school projects and creative activities related to the German language. German teachers decide for themselves how they would like to shape the German Language Week – creatively, flexibly and aligned with their own teaching contexts.

The unifying element is the shared timeframe in May, during which all participating schools run their activities under the title German Language Week. This creates a common framework that connects individual activities without setting requirements for content or scale.

The German Language Week was initiated by the Goethe-Institut New Zealand and successfully held for the first time in 2024. This year, the project continues in cooperation with schools in Australia and New Zealand.

Meme Competition

We invite everyone participating in the German Language Week to take part in an exciting meme competition! Show us your creative side and win a prize for a delicious breakfast for your class.

What do you need to do? Send us a meme showing how you’re learning about Germany, the German language or German culture.
Let your imagination run wild and impress us with your creative ideas.

Meme The Gap State High School (QLD) — 1st - The Gap State High School (QLD) | © The Gap State High School (QLD)

Meme Wellington Girls' College (NZ) — 2nd place - Wellingtin Girls' College (NZ) | © Wellington Girls' College (NZ)

Meme Tylden Primary School (VIC) — 3rd Place Tylden Primary School (VIC) | © Tylden Primary School (VIC)

Meme Immanuel College (SA) — 4th place - Immanuel College (SA) | © Immanuel College (SA)

Meme Pembroke School (SA) — 5th place - Pembroke School (SA) | © Pembroke School (SA)

The competition will open on 01 May 2026 and close on 31 May 2026. Entries prior to or after those dates are not valid.
This competition is open to school classes from Australia and New Zealand only.
Each class may submit only one entry. Double or multiple entries will be disqualified.
Each entry must be submitted by a teacher or authorized representative of the class.
Winners will be notified by 14 June 2026, using the contact details provided with the entry. The competition results are final, and no negotiations will be entertained.
The prize cannot be exchanged.
Employees of the organizing company, their immediate families, or anyone professionally connected to the competition are not eligible to participate.
The promoter is not responsible for any ineligible or lost entries, or for entries submitted before 1 May 2026 or after 31 May 2026. Entries that do not meet the terms and conditions, or are incomplete, will be disqualified.
Participants agree to the collection and use of personal data provided at the time of entry for the purposes of administering the competition.
Entry details remain the property of the promoter. This may include your name, address, email, and phone number. We may also use your information to notify you of future events at Goethe-Institute Australia. No personal information will be shared with third parties.
The winning school’s name, class, and location may be published in promotional materials related to the competition, including but not limited to social media and websites, only if the school/ teacher agrees to this.
If the competition is affected by factors such as computer viruses, tampering, unauthorised interventions, fraud, or any other issue beyond the promoter’s control, the promoter reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the competition, or disqualify any individual who interferes with the entry process. Participants will be notified if any changes occur.
The promoter is not responsible for:
Malfunctions, delays, or congestion on any online system, server, or provider.
Failure of any entry to be received due to technical issues outlined in section 14.
Any injury or damage to entrants or any other person related to or resulting from participation in the competition or downloading any materials relating to the competition.
By entering the competition, participants (and their authorized representatives) accept these terms and conditions in full.

How to participate?

Celebrate the German language with creative activities such as a pretzel stand, a Lederhosen fashion show, or an interesting guest speaker at the school assembly – the possibilities are endless. Schools, teachers, and school groups are free to decide how they wish to participate. There will also be a competition with great prizes.

To support participants, teachers receive a digital participation kit, which includes the following:

Key visuals and poster to print or to promote the event in the school newsletter (©Goethe-Institut)
Deutschland quiz (in English)
Meme templates including instructions to participate in the competition
Access to an interactive map to connect with other school groups
5-Minute Classroom Boosters

Need some inspiration?

Aktivitäten zur German Language Week in einer Wordcloud angeordnet. © Goethe-Institut

Contact

Yona Sofie Brand

Head of Language Department
Deputy Director

yona.brand@goethe.de