The washback or backwash effect of testing is a welldocumented academic phenomenon common to nearly all institutional learning processes. Through two questionnaire surveys among 5 foreign language experts and 724 english discipline leaders,this study attempts to investigate their perceptions of tem8 and its washback. A test will influence attitudes to the content, methods of teaching and learning. Similarly, washback can be broadly defined as the effect of a test on. This monograph summarizes recent research on language testing washback. Changing language teaching through language testing. In the view of instructors and students, such tests contain what students must learn and therefore what must be taught a reasonable view, given that the tests in many cases. A test will influence the rate and sequence of learning. The washback effect of language tests university of hawaii. The washback effect of language tests jamesdeanbnowx universily of hawaii introduction numerous definitions ofthe concept of washback have been offered in the language teaching literature. Washback in language testing science publishing group.
The washback effects of testing in aviation english. Some language proficiency tests are compulsory requirement to further career opportunities. One good definition of washback or sometimes known as backwash which was proposed by alderson 1996, is the influence that writers on language testing, syllabus design, and language teaching believe a test will have on the teaching that precedes it. Nevertheless, there is not enough research on the washback effects of proficiency tests in the taiwanese context. The lack of apparent impact of test washback is supported by zhao 2004 who focused specifically on the et spoken english test and asked whether etset had a washback effect on teachers and learners attitudes and actions. This study specifically investigates how the schoolbased. Hence, it is assessment of learning documents of the ministry moe. By selecting a test that reflects your instructional and program goals, you can more closely align testing with instruction. Tests that have important consequences will have washback. The concept of washback, especially prominent in the field of applied linguistics, refers to the extent to which a test influences teachers and learners to do things they would not otherwise necessarily do. This paper reports on the preliminary findings of an ongoing study on the washback effect of the newly introduced schoolbased assessment sba at the lowersecondary level in malaysia. Washback the term washback also known as backwash refers to the influence of language testing on teaching and learning. The washback effect of testing is primarily the influence of testing on training and learning. Research contexts and methods liying cheng, yoshinori watanabe, with andy curtis download bok.
English languagestudy and teachingforeign speakers. Washback effect refers to the impact or influence of assessment practices tests, exams or any other kind of assessment in all the individuals involved in the teaching. Moreover, the districts foreign language supervisor recognized the schools efforts and was able to find additional funding for curriculum and assessment development the next year. A casestudy on students perceptions article pdf available in pertanika journal of social science and humanities 243. Washback has been a concept of learning and assessment for almost 30 years. In the field of language testing, researchers major interest has traditionally been focused on issues and solving. However, if the examinations are not testing these goals, students, who usually have their sights set on the examination, may pass the tests but totally fail to attain the basic goals set by educational planners. Review of washback research literature within kanes. The effect of test has on classroom practice berry, 1994. Research contexts and methods is a priceless useful resource for many who have an interest in the appliance of findings to precise educating and studying conditions or conduct washback analysis in their very own contexts, together with instructional and psychological testing specialists, in addition to various. The language testing the relationship between the curriculum, construct. A test will influence the degree and depth of teaching.
The washback effects of the toeic examination on the teachers. The term washback or backwash has come to the prominence in the literature of english language teaching due to the contributions of applied linguistics in the field of elt. It denotes to the influence which brims from the ongoing testing process on teaching and learning concerns. A consideration of the washback effect of english as a foreign language oral examinations at tertiary level in china. The washback effect is the outcome of a test or an examination which results either in positive or in a negative way. The washback effects of taskbased assessment on the iranian. The washback effects of foreign language component of the university entrance examination on the teaching and learning context of english language groups in secondary. The ene also affects the students learning in the classroom in which teachers mainly teach to test, practice the test and develop test taking strategies. The aim of this paper is to investigate the washback effect the influence that testing has on teaching and learning alderson and wall, 1993 of a very popular test in the greek context the fce first certificate in english administered by cambridge esol. One way to ensure positive washback is through instructional planning that links teaching and testing.
Abstract what do we mean by the washback effect of testing. The washback effects of the toeic examination on the. In this monograph i will explore and summarize recent research on second language testing washback, first by compiling definitions of washback and related constructs. These have generally either investigated the ongoing effects of established testing programmes or looked into how changes in systems of assessment affect educational practice. Washback in language testing by cheng, liying ebook. Toefl 2000, monograph series, ms15, washback in language testing. Contrasting negative and positive washback, taylor 2005 argues that negative effects occur when a test s content or format is based on a narrow definition of language ability while positive effects occur when the testing procedures encourage good teaching practices p. Some writers invoke the notion of washback validity, holding that a test s validity should be gauged by the degree to which it has a positive influence on teaching. Messick, samuel the concept of washback, especially prominent in the field of applied linguistics, refers to the extent to which a test influences teachers and learners to do things they would not otherwise necessarily do. A reevaluation of washback for learning and testing language. The washback effects of taskbased assessment on the. A reevaluation of washback for learning and testing. Review of journal articles on washback in language testing in. For example, a test may encourage students to study more or may promote a connection between standards and instruction.
Washback refers to the influence of language testing on teaching and learning. The dimensions of the washback effect of the ene on both english teachers and students are negative and positive, strong, specific and for. Pdf washback effect in teaching english as an international. Investigating washback to the learner from the ielts test in. Article pdf available june 20 with 4,362 reads how we measure reads. However, the nature of this effect on the development of different language elements and skills is yet to be explored. Dealing with situations of positive and negative washback. In such a case the washback effect is very negative indeed. A test will influence the degree and depth of learning.
It is also the potential impact that the form and content of an aviation english test may have on regulators and administrators conception of language proficiency and what it entails. Bachman and palmer 1996 consider washback to be a subset of a test s impact on society, educational systems and individuals. In the case of english language screening tests like ielts, it has been said that training to take a test may not develop the full range of. Selected papers from the 19th language testing research colloquium, orlando. The origin of washback although the subject of the effects of examinations has long been. Pdf the washback effect of testing on students learning in. This influence the test on the classroom referred to as washback by language testers is, of course, very important. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, cardiff university. It begins by compiling several definitions of washback and related constructs. An examination on the washback effect of the interuniversity board foreign language test the example of dicle university. Pdf washback effect of schoolbased english language. Judging content validity specifications actual test 6. Luke prodromou 1993 points out in his overview of the washback effect that the issue has not been fully explored in second language research in spite of playing such a dominant role in classrooms. Bachman and palmer 1996 consider washback to be a subset of a test s impact on.
It provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and information between people working in the fields of first and second language testing and assessment. It is to be feared that once such a test type or format is known, it may attract a. This volume, at the important intersection of language testing and teaching practices, presents theoretical, methodological, and practical guidance for current and future washback studies. Washback of testing on teaching karmen stumberger two terms are generally used in connection with the effect of tests on teachers, teaching content and society in general. The article deals with the complexity of a washback phenomenon in language testing. In addition to this, it seems somewhat unusual in an environment. Washback effect educational assessment quality of life. Positive washback, or guided washback can benefit teachers, students and administrators.
The research findings indicate that in general there is a positive attitude towards tem8 and its washback,but the unfamiliarity with the marking. Review of empirical studies of washback in language t esting 162 smith, mary. Studies of washback effects in language testing contexts began to appear in the early 1990s. This effect can be both positive and negative depending on the affecting factors. Most schools in the private and public sectors are interested in external benchmark. Washback effect, schoolbased assessment, students perceptions, english. Pdf washback concerns the impact of tests and assessments on. The impact of efl testing on efl education in korea.
Brown and thom hudson university of hawaii language testing differs from testing in other content areas because language teachers have more choices to make. Validity, reliablility, washback linkedin slideshare. A structural equation modeling approach james e purpura fairness and validation in language assessment. The washback effect of the english national examination ene. The influences of testing can be found in the choices of learners and teachers. Washback is the effect of language testing on teaching and learning. The backwash effect also known as the washback effect is the influence that a test has on the way students are taught e. The prominence of english alongside this internationalization process has also seen the use of international tests of english such as test of english for international communication toeic, test. Overall, the foreign language teachers felt that student performance was improving and they attributed this to the new assessment program. It focuses on its positive effects within an institution as well as on the situations of negative washback.
Typically, the washback effect in language testing is seen as either. Japanese university entrance exams and their effect on junior and senior high school reading pedagogy bern mulvey fukui university in discussions regarding the negative aspects of exam washback effect, one example that is invariably mentioned is the exampedagogy relationship ostensibly to be found in japan. Teachers and learners for the etset have the requirements of a spoken english language test in mind, but while this. The washback effect was observed initially at the macro level, including different parties within the hong kong educational context, and subsequently at the micro level, in terms of the classroom, including aspects of teachers attitudes, teaching content and classroom interactions. The studies have been obtained from several databases such as eric and sciencedirect, and the journal websites. An a to z of second language assessment is an essential component of the british councils assessment literacy project and is designed for eflesl teachers and those who are involved in preservice or inservice teacher training and development.
Washback, the impact of tests on education in general and language testing in particular, has. The notion dictates that a test will have an effect on the learning process linked to it. The washback effect has been described succinctly as. Examining the quality and quantity of the washback effect of the fce test in greece.
The backwash effect of the test items in the achievement. English as a second language esl language teachers language tests teaching methods test of english as a foreign language toefl washback effect testing abstract. Research contexts and methods is a valuable resource for those who are interested in the application of findings to actual teaching and learning situations or conduct washback research in their own contexts, including educational and psychological testing experts, as well as alternative assessment people in all. Washback effect refers to the impact of testing on curriculum design, teaching practices, and learning behaviors. A model is proposed that identifies participants, processes and products which may influence or be influenced by, washback. This study investigated the consequential validity of the international english language testing system ielts academic exam, specifically focusing on washback upon learners test preparation strategies and score gain, and the mediating factors influencing washback when learners in an efl context are not enrolled in test preparation courses. Content validity test relevant skills structures concepts 5. The washback effect of testing on students learning in efl writing classes.
For instance, shohamy, donitsaschmidt, and ferman 1996, p. Impact screen 2 of 4 washback and instructional planning. It is the activity that helpsstudents to achieve the. Washback effect refers to the impact or influence of assessment practices tests, exams or any other kind of assessment in all the individuals involved in the teaching learning process. Strategies for investigating washback are discussed. The washback language jamesdeanbnowx universily of hawaii. Hence the working definition of washback that i will use in this paper is a slightly expanded version ofthe one provided by shohamy et al. Washback is presented as a stimulus for a change and as a bridge for efficient communication between teachers and testers. Negative washback is said to occur when a tests content or format is based on a narrow definition of language ability, and so constrains the teachinglearning. However, that definition does not explicitly include the link between washback and validity.
Jan 25, 20 procedia social and behavioral sciences 70 20 1463 a 1471 18770428 2012 the authors. The washback effect of the english national examination. Validity, reliablility, washback carolina salazar 17. Washback effect of schoolbased english language assessment. Tests can have positive and negative effects, or washback. Toefl 2000, monograph series, ms15, washback in language. Dictionary of language testing alan davies, annie brown, cathie elder, kathryn hill, tom lumley, tim mcnamara learner strategy use and performance on language tests. English language study and teachingforeign speakers. Washback effects of a highstakes exam on lower secondary.
Investigating washback to the learner from the ielts test. Standardized proficiency tests in a campuswide english. In the case of japanese secondary school students, buck 1988. Teaching is a process of passingexplained information on givensubjects or disciplines that areworldwide accepted as valid andnot contested. The reason for this is that the writers were the first to look critically at the notion of test washback, and the way in which washback had been treated as a unique. Eric ed403277 validity and washback in language testing. Similarly, washback can be broadly defined as the effect of a test on teaching and often also on learning, and it has been variously associated with effects on teachers and learners green, 2007. The purpose of this article is to help language teachers decide what types of language tests. Gladys quevedocamargo university of brasilia, brazil. The purpose of the current research project is threefold. What is less clear is on what are the principles that underlie this concept based.
314 414 102 649 1010 438 836 1132 1221 481 352 1321 821 482 631 187 22 1436 1540 383 465 7 1064 825 1035 455 647 1548 1469 83 1084 414 676 617 1224 271 71 273 462 515 809 969 507 466 1088 945 892