Washback Of Reformed TEM-4 Listening Section On English Majors' Listening Performance

Washback is the effect of language testing on language teaching and learning.Test for English Majors 4(TEM4)is one of the most important proficiency tests for English majors.So it is worthwhile to conduct research on TEM4 and its washback.TEM4 was reformed in 2015 and there was a big change in listening section.However,the empirical research of the washback effect on TEM-4 listening section is still in its infancy.Based on the Shih's and Hughes' washback hypotheses,this paper starts from the perspective of TEM-4 listening learners to analyze the washback effect of reformed TEM-4 listening section on students' listening performance with quantitative and qualitative methods.In this thesis,the author will study the following questions: 1)What kind of washback will the reformed TEM-4 listening section produce? Negative or positive? 2)What washback effects will the reformed TEM4 listening section have on students' learning attitude as well as learning process? 3)What washback effects will the reformed TEM4 listening section have on students' learning product?For further analysis,factor analysis is adopted.The results of the study show that the reformed TEM-4 listening section generates both positive and negative washback effect on students' listening performance,and both quantitative and qualitative analyses reveal that it generates much more positive washback in learning attitude,process and outcome.Thus,based on the research findings,the author puts forward the corresponding implications and suggestions,hoping that these suggestions can help improve the teaching quality,students' learning efficiency and the success of further TEM-4 listening section reform.In the end,the thesis points out the limitations of this study and some suggestions for further research.