提高考试效度,改进考试后效——大学英语四、六级考试后效研究  

On the improvement of test validity and test washback —the CET washback study

作　　者：金艳[1] 

机构地区：[1]上海交通大学外国语学院 上海200030

出　　处：《外语界》2006年第6期65-73,共9页Foreign Language World

摘　　要：目前正在进行的大学英语四、六级考试改革面，临的最大挑战之一是，如何使这样一个大规模高风险的考试对教学产生正面的影响。近年来，语言测试界已越来越清醒地认识到：考试后效是一种极其复杂的现象，改进考试后效不仅是考试设计者的任务，也是考试使用者的责任。本文首先阐述了语言测试界对考试后效的理解和定义，并简要回顾了国外有影响的大规模英语考试在后效方面进行的研究和改革；其次。本文详尽分析了我国大学英语四、六级考试对教学所产生的影响，以及在大学英语教学改革的新形势下所进行的考试改革。最后，本文阐述了开展四、六级考试后效研究的必要性、研究的重点以及手段和方法。The paper first presents language testers＇ understanding and definition of washback as an integral part of test validity and reviews recent innovations and reforms made by some influential large-scale standardized English tests like TOEFL and IELTS. The paper then moves on to an in-depth analysis of the CET washback and its recent reform. A key question to be addressed in the process of the reform is whether and in what ways the learners will benefit. The dilemma facing the CET is that the test＇s stakeholders have high expectations for the test reform, hoping that it will have a more positive impact on teaching and learning, and ultimately help promote learners＇ communicative competence. However, as the stakes of the test become higher, it is increasingly difficult or ‘risky＇ to make changes to the test in order to achieve the intended washback. The perplexing situation, in fact, echoes the growing awareness in the field of language testing that washback does exist but it is a hugely complex matter. Simply changing the test content and format may not necessarily bring about the intended changes in teaching and learning. The CET washback study, therefore, is necessitated by the desire to look into the effects brought about by the testing reform on the teaching and learning of English at the tertiary level in China. The rationale for and the design of the washback study are reported at the end of the paper.

关 键 词：大学英语四 六级考试 考试后效 大学英语教学 

分 类 号：H319[语言文字—英语]