Changing Language Teaching Through Language Testing

Despite persistent assertions of washback (the influence of testing on teaching and learning) limited research studies have been undertaken on the subject. Even fewer studies have made use of quantitative and qualitative methods to examine washback. This book at the intersection of language testing and teaching practices/programs investigates the impact of the introduction of the 1996 Hong Kong Certificate of Education in English a high-stakes public examination on classroom teaching and learning in Hong Kong secondary schools. The washback effect was observed initially at the macro level including different parties within the Hong Kong educational context and subsequently at the micro level in terms of the classroom including aspects of teachers'' attitudes teaching content and classroom interactions. Further the book offers insights into the concept that a test can be used as a change agent to encourage innovation in the classroom.