Washback Effect of Speakingtest of Grade Eight

Abstract

The term 'Washback' or 'Backwash' is oneof the qualities of a good test and can bedefined as the effect of examination on teaching and learning and the very effectmay be positive or beneficial and negative or harmful. The research work entitled“Washback Effect of Speaking Test of Grade VIII"attempted to find outwashback effect of speaking test of grade VIII on teaching and learning. Toachieve the aim, the researcher collected the data by distributing the questionnaireto the respondents. Altogether, there were 60 respondents from 10 differentschools which were selected using non-random purposive sampling. Among them,50 were students studying in grade IX and 10 teachers currently teaching in gradeVIII of public schools of Chitwan district. With the help of analysis andinterpretation of data provided by informants, the study found that the examinationof grade VIII speaking test has positive washback effect on learning but washbackwas negative on teaching. The present study consists of four chapters. The first chapter contains general background, review of the related literature, objectives of the study, significance of the study, and definitions of the specific terms. The second chapter consists of sources of data, sample population and sampling procedure, tools for data collection, process of data collection and limitations of the study. The third chapter is the main part of the thesis which encompasses the analysis and interpretation of the data obtained.And, the fourth chapter summarizes the whole study by presenting findings and suggesting some recommendations. References and appendices are listed at the end of the thesis.