英语专业八级考试反拨作用研究——对考生的一次大规模调查

Washback effects of TEM8——A survey among test-takers

本研究探索了现行英语专业八级考试(TEM8)对英语专业本科学生的影响。本研究采用问卷调查的形式,对250所TEM8参考院校的6863名考生进行了调查,调查结果显示:1)考生对TEM8的评价还是很高的,认为TEM8能够反映其英语水平;2)TEM8对考生的英语学习有一定反拨作用,且大部分考生认为这种反拨作用正面大于负面;3)TEM8的备考现象在考生中较为普遍,包括课堂上的备考活动和课后学生自己备考两个方面,但是备考持续时间不长,强度不大,并未影响到考生的正常学习;4)TEM8对考生的学习有一定促进作用,但是与学习兴趣、自身努力等因素相比,TEM8对考生英语学习效果的影响有限,不是影响学习效果的主要因素,通过TEM8也不是考生英语学习的主要目标。调查中还发现考生的个人因素,如性别、英语水平等,对TEM8考试会产生何种反拨作用有一定影响,TEM8考试对女生的反拨作用大于男生,对英语水平中等考生的影响大于英语水平高和低的考生。

The current study attempts to find out the washback of TEM8 on undergraduate English majors. A ques- tionnaire survey has been conducted among 6863 test-takers from 250 TEM8 participating schools, and the research findings are as follows. Firstly, TEM8 was positively evaluated by most test-takers who affirmed its validity. Second- ly, TEM8 has exerted some washback on English learning, which was considered positive by most test-takers. Third- ly, TEM8 preparation, both in class and after class, was common among test-takers, but it would not affect routine English learning because of its low intensity and short time span. Fourthly, TEM8 facilitated English learning, but other factors, such as test-takers＇ learning interest and efforts, would affect English learning outcome more. Moreo- ver, it has been noted that TEM8 washback would be mediated by test-takers＇ individual differences, such as gender and English proficiency.