A Study Of The Washback Effect Of PRETCO A On Vocational College English

In the contemporary world,the role English plays becomes more prominent with the globalization,which is the reason why English is one of the most essential subjects in every phase of education,even from kindergarten all the way to Dr.degree.How to improve the quality of English teaching and how to enhance learning efficiency are what the stakeholders,such as teachers,parents and even students,always think of to be tackled.Examinations play a certain role in guiding teaching and learning;therefore,taking theory of washback effect of language test to instruct teaching and learning has both theoretical basis and practical sense.Washback effect of language testing refers to the effect of language test to teaching and learning in a narrow sense;it refers to the effect of language test to all stakeholders in a broad sense.This effect has positive side and negative side.The initial purpose of any test is to demonstrate the positive washback effect to a large extent.PRETCO is an English test designed for vocational college students,non-English majors.Under the background of a growing number of application talent with the development of economy,to research PRETCO,a test focusing on application ability in English,in vocational colleges who aim to cultivate this kind of talents has its unique significance.PRETCO is regarded as an authorizing English test for vocational college students to test their English proficiency,level A and level B is included.PRETCO A is equi,valent to the previous CET-3,for relatively better English learner;PRETCO B is easier,compared with PRETCOA,which is for the relatively weak English learner.As an English teacher in vocational college,taking years to teach English,especially teaching students the preparation for PRETCO to students,which accumulated some experience.In this sense,to research on washback effect of PRETCO has my own advantage.Because vocational college students would eventually take PRETCO A,or at least try their best to pass,this thesis will resolve the washback effect of PRETCO A to conduct the research.The content of this thesis mainly comprises of the following aspects:First part of the thesis is Introduction which introduces research background,research purpose and the theoretical and practical significance of the research,and research method.Second part of the thesis is Literature review,which summarizes the research status and tendency of washback effect overseas and inland.A review on PRETCO inland is also discussed in this part.The third part introduces the English testing developing in China,the introduction of its background and nature,and the definition related and its theoretical framework.In this part definitions in terms of washback effect are listed and reviewed,then come up a new definition defined in my thesis;several essential washback effect theory is also mentioned and analyze here in this part to lay a theoretical basis for the follow-up exploration.The fourth part focuses on research methodology and data analysis.And the fifth part is analysis of the positive and negative washback effect of PRETCO to Vocational English and its implications which includes the washback effect to teachers and students and implications for the examination itself.