Article published in:
The Language Testing Cycle: From inception to washback
Edited by Gillian Wigglesworth and Catherine Elder
[Australian Review of Applied Linguistics. Series S 13] 1996
► pp. 208–239

Investigating washback in Japanese EFL classrooms

Problems of Methodology

| International Christian University
In Japan it has long been considered that university entrance exams have a negative impact on teaching and learning of English in schools. Recent research, however, suggests that the relationship between testing and teaching is not so simple and requires finegrained ethnographic research in order to fully understand its complexities. This paper argues the case for the necessity of conducting empirical research before any conclusions about the presence or absence of washback can be drawn. An example of this type of research is offered and the processes involved in investigating washback in the Japanese context are described in such a way as to provide a model for future research in this area.
Published online: 01 January 1996
https://doi.org/10.1075/aralss.13.09wat
References
Alderson, J. C. and D. Wall
(1993) Does washback exist? Applied Linguistics 14,2:115–129. CrossrefGoogle Scholar
Alderson, J. C. and L. Hamp-Lyons
(1994) TOEFL preparation and the communicative classroom. Paper presented at TESOL conference, Baltimore, March.
Allen, P., M. Froehlich, and N. Spada
(1984) The communicative orientation of language teaching: and observation scheme. In J. Handscombe, R.A. Orem, and B. P. Tayler (eds) On TESOL ‘83. Washington D.C: TESOL.Google Scholar
Ariyoshi, H., and K. Senba
(1983) Daigaku nyushi junbi kyoiku ni kansuru kenkyu (A study on preparatory teaching for the university entrance examinations). Fukuoka Kyoiku Daigaku Kiyo, 331: 1–21.Google Scholar
Berwick, R. and S. Ross
(1989) Motivation after matriculation: are Japanese learners of English still alive after exam hell? JALT Journal 111: 193–210.Google Scholar
Erickson, F.
(1986) Qualitative methods in research on teaching. In Wittrock, M.C. (ed.)The handbook of research in teaching, 3rd ed. New York, Macmillan.Google Scholar
Evertson, C. and J. Green
(1986) Observations as inquiry and method. In Wittrock, M.C. (ed.) (1986) The handbook of research in teaching, 3rd ed. New York, Macmillan.Google Scholar
Fujita, T.
(1992) Readiness model of optimal input: a comparison between Japanese high school and non-high school students of English. Sophia Linguistica, 311: 122–143.Google Scholar
Hopkins, D.
(1985) A teacher’s guide to classroom research. Milton Keynes, Open University Press.Google Scholar
LeCompte, M. D. and J. Preissle
(1993) Ethnography and qualitative design in educational research. San Diego, Academic Press.Google Scholar
Ministry of Education
(1994) Monbu Toke Yoran (Statistical abstract of education, science and culture). Tokyo, The Ministry of Education.Google Scholar
Obunsha
(1994) Zenkoku daigaku nyushi mondai seikai (Compilation of past exam papers). Tokyo, Obunsha.Google Scholar
Pilliner, A.
(1973) Assessment – principles and practice with special reference to education in Pakistan. Unpublished manuscript, The British Council.Google Scholar
Rohlen, T. P.
(1983) Japan’s high schools. Berkeley,University of Berkeley Press. CrossrefGoogle Scholar
Saito, T., S. Arita, and I., Nasu
(1984) Taki-sentaku tesuto ga igaku kyoiku ni oyobosu eikyo (Effects of multiple-choice questions on medical education). Nihon igaku kyoiku shinko zaidan kenkyu jose ni yoru kenkyu hokoku sho.Google Scholar
Wall, D. and J.C. Alderson
(1993) Examining washback: the Sri Lankan impact study. Language Testing, 10,1: 41–69. CrossrefGoogle Scholar
Watanabe, Y.
(1990) External variables affecting language learning strategies of Japanese EFL learners. MA dissertation, Lancaster University. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 334 822).Google Scholar
in progress) Washback effects of Japanese university entrance examinations – classroom-based research (a tentative title). Ph.D. thesis. Lancaster University.
Cited by

Cited by 3 other publications

Kubota, Keisuke, Yuichiro Yokouchi & Rie Koizumi
2021. “Assessment Research for the Benefit of Humanity”: An Interview with Randy Thrasher and Yoshinori Watanabe. Language Assessment Quarterly ► pp. 1 ff. Crossref logo
Mitsiaki, Maria, Nansia Kyriakou, Despo Kyprianou, Chrysovalanti Giannaka & Pavlina Hadjitheodoulou
2021. Washback Effects of Diagnostic Assessment in Greek as an SL: Primary School Teachers’ Perceptions in Cyprus. Languages 6:4 ► pp. 195 ff. Crossref logo
董, 礼
2019. An Analysis of Chinese Test-Takers’Perception of the Interactiveness to Topical Knowledge in IELTS Test. Overseas English Testing: Pedagogy and Research 01:02 ► pp. 70 ff. Crossref logo

This list is based on CrossRef data as of 03 april 2022. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.