Washback Effects of Listening Test at secondary Level

Abstract

The research entitled 'Washback Effects of Listening Test atSecondary Level' is to find out the washback effects of the presentlistening test of secondary level. In order to do so, the researchercollected data from the students of Intermediate level first year whoalready took their listening tests at secondary level and the teachersteaching secondary English currently. He also collected question papersof listening test from 2058 to 2062 to find out the content validity oflistening test. The sample population consisted of 50 students of variousdistricts and ten teachers teaching secondary English in different schoolsof Kathmandu valley. The students were selected by using stratifiedrandom sampling procedure whereas the teachers were selected by usingsimple random sampling procedure. Two different sets of questionnairewere provided to the students and teachers to gather their responses. Thedata were analyzed and interpreted aiming to find out the washbackeffects of listening test on learning and teaching. The question papers oflistening test were analyzed in order to find out the content validity oflistening test. The research findings show that listening text plays a verysignificant role in developing listening skill. However, the present systemof testing listening doesn't have positive washback effects. It can't assessthe students' listening skill properly. It doesn't encourage the students topractice listening skill activity as they can achieve good marks withoutany practice. The students use it as a marks securing tool. On the wholethe listening test couldn't represent all the objectives of listening skill asmentioned inthecurriculum. The study consists of four chapters, which are given below. Chapter one deals with the introduction. It consists of generalbackground of the study, review of the related literature, objectives of thestudy, significance of the study and definitions of the specific terms. Chapter two introduces the methodology adopted for the study. Itencompasses sources of data, population of the study, samplingprocedure, tools for data collection, process of data collection and thelimitations of the study. Chapter three consists of analysis and interpretation of the datawhich has been done under three main headings viz, washback effect onlearning, washback effect on teaching and content validity of listeningtest. The statistical tools such as mean, percentage along with differenttables and figureswere used while analyzing and interpreting the data. Chapter four incorporates findings and recommendations. On thebasis of the analysis and interpretation, some significant findings and onthe experience of the researcher while conducting the research somerecommendations for pedagogical implications are made. This chapter isfollowed by references and appendices.