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.

M. Maniruzzaman, former Chairman of and current Professor in the Department of English at Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh, Vice President of English Teachers' Association of Bangladesh (ETAB), Global Professional Member of TESOL International Association, and Associate Member of IATEFL, obtained MA in English Language and PhD in Applied Linguistics & ELT from the University of Dhaka, completed e-Teacher Methodology for TESOL at the University of Maryland BC, e-Teacher Assessment at the University of Oregon, e-Teacher Educational Technology at Iowa State University and ELT-LMCP offered by TESOL International Association, and attended PDW-2013 at the University of Oregon, USA. His core interests cover TESOL methodology, curriculum and syllabus design, materials development, assessment and testing, educational technology, L2 teacher education, ELT leadership and management, and literatures in English. He has 30 years teaching and research experience and a large number of indexed and international publications including research papers, translations, book reviews, book chapters and books. His recent publications are 'The postmethod pedagogy: Critical reviews and contextual reflections', The Postmethod Pedagogy: Issues of Learning and Teaching, 1.1, 2020; 'English Phonetics and Phonology: A Blended Learning Design Plan', Academia Letters, Article 1313, 2021; 'Technology in Teaching ESL/EFL: Integration, Application, Tools and Resources', in Arvind Nawale, M. Maniruzzaman, Amar Singh and Saumya Priya (Eds.), New Trends and Digital Adoption: A Paradigm Shift in Higher Education, New Delhi: Authors Press, 2022; and 'Teachers' narratives from initial virtual classrooms and professional development during the COVID-19 pandemic in developing Bangladesh' (co-author), Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 23 (3), 2022.