Washback of Second/Foreign Language Tests. An Appraisal

Research Paper (postgraduate) from the year 2014 in the subject Speech Science / Linguistics grade: A Jahangirnagar University (Jahangirnagar University Dhaka Bangladesh) language: English abstract: An external test or public examination particularly in a second/foreign language such as IELTS TOEFL HSC examination in English etc might have considerable impact on the stakeholders including teachers learners parents administrators the institution the educational system and society as a whole. The effect a test has on the different components of the educational process of a second/foreign language is termed 'washback either beneficial or harmful at both the micro and macro level. The current paper firstly purports to be an appraisal of the concept of 'washback' secondly examines its nature and functions as revealed by different proponents and researchers and finally ascertains its role in second/foreign language education.