PASAA
Publication Date
1997-12-01
Abstract
Numerous definitions of the concept of washback have been offered in the language teaching literature. For instance, Shohamy, Donitsa-Schmidt, and Ferman (1996, p. 298) define washback very simply as "the connections between testing and learning." Gates (1995, p. 101) defines it as "the influence of testing on teaching and learning." Shohamy (1992, p. 513) went further when she defined washback as "the utilization of external language tests to affect and drive foreign language learning.. .this phenomenon is the result of the strong authority of external testing and the major impact it has on the lives of test takers." Messick (1996, p. 241) provided an even more elaborate definition when he wrote, "washback, a concept prominent in applied linguistics, refers to the extent to which the introduction and use of a test influences language teachers and learners to do things they would not otherwise do that promote or inhibit language learning."
DOI
10.58837/CHULA.PASAA.27.1.4
First Page
64
Last Page
79
Recommended Citation
Brown, James Dean
(1997)
"Testing Washback in Language Education,"
PASAA: Vol. 27:
Iss.
1, Article 4.
DOI: 10.58837/CHULA.PASAA.27.1.4
Available at:
https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/pasaa/vol27/iss1/4