An Investigation Into The Innovated CET Washback From Teachers' Perspective

Washback generally refers to the influence of testing on teaching and learning. The College English Test (CET) is a large-scale standardized criterion-related norm-referenced educational test. It is sponsored by the Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Education and has been in operation for two decades. Since 2005, CET has undergone significant changes. The innovations mainly cover scoring formula, score reporting, test content and test format. The purpose of the present study is to have a preliminary investigation into the washback of the innovated CET on College English teaching from teachers'perspective.The study mainly focuses on the following two aspects: 1) teachers'perceptions of and attitudes towards the CET innovation; 2) the washback of the innovated CET on College English teaching according to teachers. Questionnaire survey is employed as the main research instrument, complemented by interview and classroom observation. The subjects of the questionnaire survey are 527 College English teachers at three CET paper marking centers who come from 45 colleges and universities in China.The findings of the present study are briefly summarized as follows:Firstly, most teachers approve of the innovation and most of the innovative measures. They hold that the test can accurately measure students'English proficiency. The weighting and time allotment of the test are fairly reasonable. However, half of the teachers think the test is somewhat difficult, especially Listening Comprehension. Listening Comprehension also lasts too long.Secondly, the innovated CET is still considered important in College English teaching. Half of the teachers think it promotes the implementation of the College English Curriculum Requirements (for Trial Implementation). As to its washback, the majority of the teachers think the innovation and most of the innovative measures exert more positive washback than negative washback on College English teaching. In addition, in most of the aspects of teaching, the positive washback of the innovation outweighs the negative washback. However, some innovative measures have little influence on teaching, and certain aspect of teaching is not influenced by the innovation. Besides, teachers'opinions diverge as to the washback of the abolishment of Vocabulary and Structure.