A Study On The Washback Effect Of Tem4

Washback usually refers to the impact tests have on language teaching and learning, which can be positive or negative. In recent years, researchers in foreign countries have done a huge bulk of theoretical and empirical researches on the effects of washback; whereas in China, the domestic research on washback is of a comparatively recent scope in the field of language testing and very little research has been conducted. So far, the volume of attention has been mainly paid to CET (College English Test) and its washback while insufficient investigation into the washback specific to TEM4 has been theoretically and empirically carried out. The present study is thus an attempt to probe into the washback effect of TEM4 on English teaching and learning, which is of innovative and positive significance. As is known, TEM4 is one of the large-scale standardized foreign language tests, which has been established for about 20 years in China. Referring to the current literature on washback both at home and abroad, especially the research methods and the research models, the author carried out a preliminary study investigating TEM4's washback effect with the consideration of the teaching practice in China. Data was collected from English teachers and undergraduate English majors in the selected universities through questionnaire survey, classroom observations and interviews, which are widely applied in washback studies abroad. Based on the findings from the study, the author intended to advance some suggestions accordingly in the hope of fully taking advantage of the positive washback of TEM4 while minimizing its negative washback. The findings arising from the present study indicate that TEM4 does exert influence on English teaching and learning, which is mainly demonstrated on the part of English majors and of English teachers. From the perspective of the students, TEM4 gives a comparatively comprehensive measure of students' English study at the foundation stage and to some degree examines students'communicative competence. Besides, it produces certain stimuli and motivation in students' English learning, thereby establishing a solid foundation for their English study at the advanced stage. As for the teachers, TEM4 urges the teachers to enrich the teaching contents, innovate the teaching methods and help the students further develop...