An Empirical Study On NMET Backwash On The Third Year English Teaching&Learning In Senior High Schools

This thesis, by making use of Alderson&Wall’s "Washback Hypothesis" and Hughes&Bailey’s Basic Model of Backwash, carried out an empirical study on the backwash effects of National Matriculation English Test on the third year English Teaching and Learning in senior high schools in Jilin province based on the collection of the empirical data of the English teaching and learning of the third year, the study of the history of NMET and the relation between NMET and the third year teaching and learning in senior high schools from the aspects of teaching content, teaching methods, teaching strategies and attitudes to teaching.The findings of the research are:NMET brings great backwash to high school English teaching and learning; the effects can be both positive and negative; the purpose of the third year senior high school English teaching and learning in Jilin province is mainly to prepare for NMET; the backwash of NMET is not limited to the third year, it also influences the years before and after the third year; it not only affects the student who attends NMET, but also affects his school, his teachers and his parents as well.To reduce negative backwash effects, following recommendations are offered. Change the concept of an English test, and don’t exaggerate the selective function of it; it can be taken as a good reference, though. Reform the method of NMET, and doesn’t use one test determine the outcome of selection; more opportunities and channels should be provided. Perfect the content of the test, and make the assessment of the ability to speak, to write and to translate the language a primary part of it.