High-Stakes Tests and Educational Language Policy in Japan: An Analysis of the National Center English Test from the Viewpoint of Education for International Understanding  

Oleh:

Ozaki, Shigeru

Jenis: Article from Journal - ilmiah internasional
Dalam koleksi: TESOL Journal vol. 2 (Jun. 2010), page 175-188.
Topik: high stakes-tests; washback; entrance examinations; test content analysis; educational language policy; education for international understanding
Fulltext: High-Stakes Tests.pdf (237.85KB)

Isi artikel

Deepening international understanding is one of the most important educational language policies for high schools in Japan. However, the possibility of the negative washback effect of university English entrance examinations on the implementation of the policy has been raised. Therefore, this study analyzed the National Center Tests?the highest-stakes form of university entrance examinations?from the viewpoint of education for international understanding since washback is generated by test content. A careful consideration was given to both interrater reliability and inner reliability throughout the analysis. The results of this study indicated that only a few particular topics and nations appeared in the tests. This result suggests that high school students might be able to develop only a part of their international understanding. However, those who attempt to go on to national or municipal universities need to take individual national/municipal university tests as well. Therefore, the content of these tests also has to be analyzed. Furthermore, the objectives of university English entrance examinations should be analyzed from the viewpoint of education for international understanding.

Opini Anda

Klik untuk menuliskan opini Anda tentang koleksi ini!

Kembali