The research and literature on language testing. This study starts with a focus on the various definitions of backwash or washback. Next, it examines the similar concept terms defined by other researchers. By reviewing the variety of definitions, the researcher’s own view of washback will be reached. Comes after that are the explorations of different types of washback. The studies ends with drawing pedagogical implications for EFL teachers. | VNU Journal of Science, Foreign Languages 25 (2009) 257-263 A review of washback and its pedagogical implications Yi-Ching Pan* The university of Melbourne, Australia Received 4 February 2009 Abstract. The way in which examinations influence teaching and learning is commonly described as “washback” or “backwash”. A number of definitions have been proposed for the term “washback” throughout the published research and literature on language testing. This study starts with a focus on the various definitions of backwash or washback. Next, it examines the similar concept terms defined by other researchers. By reviewing the variety of definitions, the researcher’s own view of washback will be reached. Comes after that are the explorations of different types of washback. The studies ends with drawing pedagogical implications for EFL teachers. 1. Introduction* 2. Definitions of Washback It is a common belief that testing affects teaching and learning, as stated by Alderson and Wall (1993 [1]) that “tests are held to be powerful determiners of what happens in classroom”. The way in which examinations influence teaching and learning is commonly described as “washback” or “backwash”. A number of definitions have been proposed for the term “washback” throughout the published research and literature on language testing. This study starts with a focus on the various definitions of backwash or washback. Next, it examines the similar concept terms defined by other researchers. By reviewing the variety of definitions, the researcher’s own view of washback will be reached. Comes after that are the explorations of different types of washback. The studies ends with drawing pedagogical implications for EFL teachers. The notion of “washback” is prevalent in language teaching and testing literature, but it is seldom found in dictionaries. Some writers used the term “washback” while others preferred “backwash” to describe the effects or influences brought by tests or examinations. .
