A Study On The Washback Of NMET

As a language of international communication,English is the most widely used language in the world,and it is a major carrier of information exchange.Although the purpose of learning English is more diverse now,but for students,their primary purpose of learning English is still for the College Entrance Examination.Recently,the National Matriculation English Test(hereinafter referred to as NMET)has been highly concerned.Language testing and language teaching are two inseparable parts.Testing is a means to stimulate learning motivation,and it has to meet the needs of teaching;at the same time,it is also an effective tool to detect teaching,because it can contribute to adjusting teaching to meet the test requirements.Therefore,language testing will have a positive or negative impact on language teaching and learning,which is often referred to as"washback effect".The NMET,as China’s largest and most influential English test,has a profound washback effect.In other countries,some scholars have studied the washback effect of some large-scale tests.Their findings not only enriched the theory of linguistics,but also promoted the development of English teaching.But in China,there are only some studies about it,and they mainly focus on the washback effect of CET or some specific question types.While the studies about the washback effect of the NMET are very few.Using Alderson&Wall’s washback Hypotheses,Huglhes’ basic model and Bachman&Palmer’s scope of impact,this study refers to the study results of domestic and foreign scholars and combines the English teaching practice of senior high school.With the aim of studying the washback effect exerted by the NMET on English teaching and learning in senior high school,the research collect data from 30 senior high school English teachers and 275 senior high school students from the Shayang High School of Hubei Province by means of questionnaire,interview and classroom observation.And the study is aimed at researching these questions:firstly,what effects do the NMET have on teaching and learning?Secondly,is the washback effect positive or negative?Thirdly,how to make the best of its positive washback effect and reduce its negative washback effect?The results show that the NMET has obvious washback effect on teachers’ teaching purpose,teaching content,teaching methods and students’ learning motivation,learning content,learning attitude.Some of the effect is positive,while some is negative.According to the research,the main aim of English teachers in high school is to improve students’ test scores,and the goal of students is also to get high marks in examinations.In order to help students get good grades in college entrance examination,in teaching content English teachers give priority to textbooks and related guidance materials,with the purpose of practicing students’ listening,reading,and writing ability,which are directly related to the NMET.As for the teaching methods,they often use teacher-centered and knowledge-based teaching.Rarely do they pay attention to students’ability to use language.But on the other hand,it is because teachers and students have the same goal to improve test scores that they can unite and work hard.Meanwhile,it helps students set clear study goals and correct attitude towards learning.Students’overall English level and comprehensive ability has increased.