A Study Of The New TEM-8 Washback Effect On English Majors' Learning

Washback Effect is an important topic in the field of language testing,which refers to the influence of testing on teaching and learning.In recent years,washback effect of theoretical and empirical has been studied by a lot of experts in the abroad and home.However,few researches have been carried out on the washback of TEM-8.Test for English Majors Band 8(TEM-8)is the highest level proficiency test designed for University graduate English majors in China,which has a history of 25 years.TEM-8 has experienced a series of reforms from 1991 to now.This research is studying the new TEM-8 which is reformed in August 2015.Based on the precious researches on washback effect,this study aims at exploring the washback effect of TEM-8 on English majors' learning.In the research,three instruments are involved: questionnaire,interview and classroom observation.The subjects of this investigation are 120 fourth-year English major students who are from Jilin University and Changchun University.There are three questions being addressed in this study: 1.What is the washback effect of the new TEM-8 on English majors' learning? 2.How many washback effects the new TEM-8 has on English majors' learning? 3.How to promote the positive washback effects of the new TEM-8on English majors' learning?The major findings prove that the washback effects of the new TEM-8 on English majors' learning indeed exist,and positive effects are more than negative effects.There are main three aspects which are influenced on English majors' learning by the new TEM-8.They are the adjustment of students' learning contents and strategies,the change of students' learning time and proportion and the variation of students' learning intention.According to the above findings,there are some suggestions for contributing the positive washback effects of the new TEM-8 on students' learning.Firstly,Administrators renovate the new TEM-8 continually.Secondly,teachers improve their English teaching in view of promoting students' English proficiency and competence.Thirdly,students should pay more attention to the application ability in the process of English learning.