Washback Effect of the English Proficiency Test (EPT) on PhD Candidates’ Language Learning Strategies
محورهای موضوعی : نشریه زبان و ترجمهGolnaz Jamalifar 1 , Hadi Salehi 2 , Omid Tabatabaei 3 , Manoochehr Jafarigohar 4
1 - PhD Candidate of TEFL, English Department, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
2 - Assistant Professor of Applied Linguistics, English Department, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
3 - Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics, English Department, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
4 - Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics, Department of TEFL and English Literature, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
کلید واژه: Language Learning Strategies, Washback, English Proficiency Test (EPT),
چکیده مقاله :
Washback has been defined as the impact of testing on curriculum design, teaching practice, and learning behaviours. The English Proficiency Test (EPT) is a high-stakes test in Iran and is prone to bring degrees of washback both at micro and macro levels. This study was an attempt to examine the washback effect of the EPT on Iranian PhD candidates’ language learning strategies. To this end, a mixed-methods approach of data collection was used to collect, analyze, and integrate quantitative and qualitative data to reach a better grasp of the research topic and enhance the validity and reliability of the information. Based on the sequential exploratory design, two phases of data collection were conducted with a two-week interval. In the first phase, the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) was administered to 200 students at Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan). In the second phase, 20 students who filled out the questionnaire showed their willingness to participate in the interview session and write their language learning diaries. Finally, the quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed via descriptive and thematic analysis, respectively. The results showed both positive and negative washback effects on the students’ language learning strategies. The findings of this study have practical implications for EFL language teachers, syllabus designers, and material developers.
بازشویی به معنی تاثیر آزمون بر طراحی مطالب درسی، روش های تدریس و رفتارهای یادگیری می باشد. آزمون بسندگی زبان انگلیسی آزمونی سرنوشت ساز در ایران است که ادامه تحصیل دانشجویان دکتری، منوط به عملکرد آنها در این آزمون می باشد و می تواند درجاتی از بازشویی را در سطح خرد و کلان ایجاد کند. هدف این مطالعه بررسی تاثیر بازشویی آزمون بسندگی زبان انگلیسی بر راهبردهای یادگیری زبان در بین دانشجویان ایرانی مقطع دکتری می باشد. به منظور نیل به این هدف، رویکرد ترکیبی برای جمع آوری، تحلیل و ادغام داده های کمی و کیفی مورد استفاده قرار گرفت تا به درک بهتری از موضوع پژوهش برسیم و پایایی و روایی داده ها را افزایش دهیم. بنابراین با استفاده از طرح متوالی اکتشافی، دو مرحله از جمع آوری داده با فاصله زمانی دو هفته ای انجام شد. در مرحله اول، پرسشنامه استاندارد سیل در بین 200 دانشجوی ایرانی مقطع دکتری در دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد اصفهان (خوراسگان) توزیع شد. در مرحله دوم، 20 نفر از دانشجویانی که پرسشنامه را تکمیل کرده بودند دعوت به مصاحبه شدند. همچنین از آنها خواسته شد دفترچه یادگیری زبان خود را نیز تکمیل کنند. در نهایت، داده های کمی و کیفی به صورت توصیفی و تحلیل موضوعی مورد تحلیل قرار گرفتند. نتایج پژوهش تاثیرات مثبت و منفی بازشویی آزمون بسندگی زبان انگلیسی را بر راهبردهای یادگیری دانشجویان نشان داد. یافته های این پژوهش کاربرد های عملی فراوانی برای مدرسان زبان انگلیسی و طراحان مطالب آموزشی دارد.
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