The Power and Impact of Standardised Tests: Investigating the Washback of Language Exams in Greece

ISBN-13: 9783631649046 / Angielski / Twarda / 2014 / 188 str.

Lambrini Loumbourdi

Opis

Standardised tests and language certification exams have been a popular topic in the field of assessment for many years now. The washback effect of such tests, that is how and to which degree language tests influence teaching and learning, has been the focus of several research projects in various contexts with different results, but at the same time of significant importance. Investigating the impact and consequences of tests is a great step towards creating better and fairer tests. This book focuses on a research study of the washback effect of the FCE test (First Certificate in English), developed and administered by Cambridge English Language Assessment (formerly ESOL). The context of the study is Greece, where unique socioeconomic elements and characteristics have rendered language certification increasingly important and have significantly contributed to the quality and quantity of the washback effect produced.

Spis treści

Contents: The Greek ELT context - The FCE exams - Test impact and washback - Pre- and post-test washback - Questionnaires to teachers and students - Classroom observation - The power of tests - Cambridge English Language Assessment - Investigation of impact and consequences of tests.

O autorze

Lambrini Loumbourdi studied English Language and Literature at Thessaloniki University (Greece) and has an MA in TEFL/TESL from Birmingham University (UK). She obtained her PhD in Language Testing and Assessment from Frankfurt University (Germany) and currently works there as a lecturer at the department of Language Teaching research and Didactics.