1.Critically
analyse the concept of washback
2.Relevant examples to illustrate the
impact tests can have on the efficacy of the learning process.
Critically discuss
In the light of empirical studies
In the light of published learning
materials (text-book)
In the light of classroom practices
How does language testing affect language
teaching and learning,
classroom practices, curriculum – teaching
techniques and methods
Positively?
Negatively?
Both Positive & Negative?
You need to decide on what type of
test/exams you are discussing in the essay. It’s best to consider high stake
exams (i.e. language Certificates i.e. Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL, Michigan etc.)
You don’t need to focus on one you can use them as examples if you wish.
Think of teaching – what constitutes good
teaching and how exam driven classes may affect this.
Teaching
Methods and techniques
Communicative Language Teaching
Task based Language teaching and Learning
Lexical approach
Guided discovery
Explicit teaching
Implicit learning
Learner centeredness
Teaching & Learning (How?)
·
learner or teacher
centeredness?
·
Task based Teaching and
Learning?
·
Communicative language
teaching?
·
Guided discovery? (Are students
guided to discover meaning and for of Lexis and grammar?
·
Or do they execute test like
exercises?)
·
Give examples from texts books
(you can use appendices) but analyses in the text.
·
The role of feedback/ what type
of feedback?
·
Explicit / Implicit
·
Methods & Techniques
·
Practicing and testing
Think of
Discuss the above in relation to how
testing influences teaching and how learning is influenced by test oriented –
test driven teaching/
Washback curriculum
Look at text-books which are exam oriented
/ exam driven
Critically look at the materials and
evaluate their learning efficacy