An Investigation Of Washback Effects Of NMET Writing Test On Senior English Teaching

As an essential part in National Matriculation English Test(NMET),the design of the NMET English writing test and the distribution of scores have experienced a great number of reform and innovation since the resuming of NMET in 1977.Owing to the profound influence of NMET,the reform of the test inevitably will has washback effects on English teaching in senior high school.Since 2016,the Hunan Province NMET has adopted the national version,writing test including written expression and proofreading.Based on Alderson and Wall's washback Hypotheses,Hughes' washback trichotomy and Bailey's basic model of washback,through the questionnaire investigation,interview and classroom observation on 461 students and 18 English teachers in a middle school in Hunan Province,this study is committed to research for the positive and negative washback NMET writing test on senior English teaching.The study shows that the positive washback of NMET English writing test are mainly embodied in: both teachers and students have a clear aim in teaching and learning.The continuous reform of NMET English test promoted the improvement of the teaching methods of English teachers.Under the pressure of NMET,the majority of students have to keep going to consolidate the knowledge of the English language.Negative washback is reflected in the more serious phenomenon of the “examination-oriented education” and the unreasonable teaching allotments.Meanwhile,this study also found that the washback of NMET English test is also influenced by the following factors,such as: teachers' teaching level,the time of writing teaching,the test itself,the policy of the school,society's pressureaswellas students' proficiencyin Englishandsoon.Through the analysis of the results of questionnaire and interview,with the related theoretical research and empirical research about NMET,this study suggests that: in the teaching of senior English teacher,reasonable arrangement of teaching time,creative use of teaching materials and establishment of new teaching mode should be adopted.As for the design of NMET English writing test,on one hand,it should comply with the needs of society,and pay more attention to the use of the language.On the other hand,the examining ratio should be expanded and the form of the test should be increased.The setters should grasp the key of curriculum reform,continuously research and improve the setting of NMET English test,so as to promote the senior English teaching.By summarizing the washback effects of NMET writing test on senior Englishteaching and analyzing the factors that influence the washback effects,this study based on the questions which revealed from the questionnaire,interviews and classroom observations and then provide some suggestions for senior English teaching and the design and reform of NMET.