A Study On The Washback Effect Of TEM4 On Test Takers

Washback usually refers to the direct impact tests have on language teaching and learning. So far, insufficient investigation into the washback specific to TEM4 has been theoretically and empirically carried out. The subjects of the current study are teachers and students; the procedures in which washback takes place are limited during the period of preparing for the test. The present study is thus an attempt to probe into the washback effect of TEM4 on learners, the experience of taking test itself and decisions that may be made on the test scores, which are of innovative and positive significance.Referring to the current literature on washback both at home and abroad, especially the research methods and the research models, the author has carried out an investigation of TEM4's washback effect. Data were collected from sophomores, College of Foreign Studies, Guangxi Normal University through questionnaire survey, classroom observations and interviews. Based on the findings from the study, the author intends 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 indicate that TEM4 does exert influence on English majors in many aspects; TEM4 exerts more positive effects than negative ones; and the extent of the influence varies with respect to individuals'language foundation. TEM4 gives a comprehensive measure of students'English study at the foundation stage and to some degree examines students'communicative competence, establishing a solid foundation for their English study at the advanced stage. The negative aspects of TEM4 washback should not be ignored. TEM4 exerts certain stress and anxiety on test takers, which leads some of them to"learn to test". Students are inclined to lose interest in their English study and tend to overlook the importance of improving their overall language competence. During the processes of taking the test itself, most students felt nervous and didn't perform at their best due to the fact that the new reformed test is too difficult. Those candidates who failed in this exam felt more pressed for their future learning and jobs which will be affected by the certificate of TEM4.