Washback Of Innovation In CET-4 Listening Subtest On College English Listening Teaching And Learning

Washback refers to the influence of tests on teaching and learning.As a complex phenomenon,it has been explored in various dimensions by many researchers at home and abroad for a long time.Recent years have witnessed a marked increase in researches on washback of high-stakes tests in the field of language teaching and testing and quite a number of researchers have studied the washback of CET-4 and CET-4 reforms.The purpose of the present study is to investigate the washback of the innovation in CET-4 listening subtest on College English listening teaching and learning.To be specific, it aims to explore whether there exists washback of the innovation in the Internet-based CET-4 listening subtest on College English listening teaching and learning at a case study university and how the washback influences College English listening teaching and learning if it is proved to exist.A multi-method research design is utilized for the present study to collect both qualitative and quantitative data via questionnaires and interviews.32 College English teachers and 421 non-English majors from Grade 2008 at the case study university are involved.The findings show that the washback of the innovation in the Internet-based CET-4 listening subtest on College English teaching and listening does exist and it is a complex phenomenon with its effects varying in degree.It is confirmed by the findings that College English teachers on the whole are clear about the innovation and hold a positive attitude toward it.Generally speaking,the washback of the innovation on teaching attitudes toward listening,teaching methodology,teaching content and time allotment is obvious.In contrast,the majority of students do not have a clear understanding of the innovation and they have mixed feelings toward it.The washback of the innovation on learning attitudes toward listening and listening learning strategies as well as listening learning behavior is complicated because the questionnaire results indicate the washback varies from student to student.However,according to the findings from the interviews with students,the washback of the innovation on learning is evident.Based on the findings of the research, suggestions to promote positive washback of the innovation in CET-4 listening subtest on College English teaching and learning are put forward.