A Study On The Washback Effects Of JSGT English Reading Comprehension Test On Teaching And Learning

The English Curriculum Standards(2022 Revision)points out that students should understand and be able to use reading strategies to improve their reading level in the compulsory education stage.The Junior Secondary Graduation Test(JSGT)English reading comprehension test is closely related to the English teaching and learning of junior high schools.After several reforms,the JSGT English reading comprehension test in Chengdu has formed a unique structure,which combines Judgments,Multiple Choices,Blank Filling,and Table Filling.The structure of the JSGT English reading comprehension test in Chengdu has a backwash effect on English teaching and learning in junior high schools in Chengdu,but there is relatively little research on the backwash effect of the JSGT English reading comprehension test in Chengdu.This study aims to explore the backwash effect of the JSGT English reading comprehension test in Chengdu on English reading teaching and learning.This study will focus on the following three research questions: What are the views of students and teachers on the washback of the JSGT English reading comprehension test? What are the aspects and direction of the washback influencing teaching and learning in junior high schools?How can teachers and students promote the positive washback and avoid the negative washback of the English reading comprehension test on teaching and learning in junior high schools?In order to solve the above research questions,the researcher took two schools from Longquanyi District with rapid education development and Wuhou District with relatively mature education development as the research field,and selected six junior high school English teachers with different teaching experience and 205 junior high school students as the research objects.Focusing on the purpose,materials,content,methods,attitudes,and key points of reading teaching and learning,the researcher first obtained a general understanding of teachers and students on the backwash of the JSGT English reading comprehension test through an adapted survey questionnaire.Secondly,four teachers and six students were selected,and the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews to obtain a deep understanding of the backwash effect of the test among teachers and students.Thirdly,the researcher used classroom observation to verify teachers and students’ cognition and understanding of the JSGT English reading comprehension test.On this basis,the researchers summarized and proposed reading teaching and learning improvement strategies based on the backwash effect of the test.The research results indicate that both teachers and students believe that reading comprehension tests have a backwash effect on the purpose,materials,content,methods,attitudes,and priorities of reading teaching and learning.Overall,the JSGT English reading comprehension test has a positive backwash effect on teaching and learning in junior high schools.However,in terms of learning purpose and learning content,the JSGT English reading comprehension test has a negative backwash effect,and reading learning is presented as exam oriented,limiting the width and depth of students’ reading content.Based on the backwash effect of testing,research suggests that measures can be taken from the following aspects to promote the improvement of students’ reading ability: 1 Students should adjust their attitudes towards exams and improve their reading abilities;2.Teachers should improve their evaluation literacy and help students understand the requirements of the JSGT English reading comprehension test,and develop a learning plan;3.Parents should change traditional beliefs and communicate effectively with students;4.Educational institutes should further find out the evaluation effect of tests of JSGT through related research to adjust the tests correctly and take effective measures to ensure benign development of tests and improve the quality of English teaching in junior high schools.