On Translation Teaching And Learning Of The College English

Washback effects refer to the influence which testing has on teaching and learning, including either negative or positive ones. Positive washback effects promote the teaching and learning while the negative ones hinder them. A number of researches in foreign testing field have been conducted on washback effects from theory to practice, which enriches the testing theories and directs teaching and learning as well. Yet in China, the empirical studies on washback effects are inadequate.As a national standardized test, College English Test Band 4 (CET4) is the product of the combination of modern language testing theories and Chinese reality. Since 1987, it has been a hot research subject, which has been studied from every aspect. Both its advantages and disadvantages have been directed attention to. However, little empirical research has been carried out on washback effects of CET4. Especially, the empirical studies on the washback effects of the translation test in the new CET4 have not been investigated emphatically up to now.The present study is a preliminary investigation which aims to reveal the washback effects of the translation test in the new CET4 on college English teaching and learning so as to try to find the effective ways to enhance the positive washback. Appling three kinds of instruments: questionnaires, classroom observations and interviews with the qualitative and quantitative research methods, the research has been investigated with 28 college English teachers and 169 non-English major students in Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Main findings become evident from the results of the investigation. The majority of college English teachers and students have quite awareness of the existence of the translation test in the new CET4 and are in favor of it. The translation test in the new CET4 produces more positive washbacks than negative ones on college English translation teaching and learning. The translation test in the new CET4 has influenced the college English translation teaching and learning to a large extent, including especially the communicative abilities. The paper design has advantages and disadvantages. Material should be applied to translation teaching and learning reasonably; Teachers and students hold different opinions on its preparation. And it has a certain effect on classroom activities.Based on the results exerted in the investigation, the author analyzes the factors giving rise to negative washback effects of the translation test in the new CET4 and puts forward some suggestions for stimulating its positive washback, such as further reforming the paper design of the translation test in the new CET4, strengthening the implementation and monitoring of the translation test in the new CET4 and further enhancing its reliability and validity, changing teachers'ideas towards correct treatment of the translation test in the new CET4 and emphasizing teachers'positive washback effects, highlighting and strengthening the students'autonomy, self-study ability and so on.