The Impact Study of the Chinese Gaokao Reform for the Subject of English

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: Educational Reform and Student Outcomes

Abstract

This paper attempts to investigate the actual impact of the English Gaokao reform on teaching and learning of English in Shanghai high schools in comparison to the proposed washback effects by the policy makers with a view to offering practical suggestions to provinces and municipalities that may soon start the reform. A mixed-method approach is adopted, with document collection, questionnaire surveys, interviews and classroom observations as methods of data collection. Results show that the positive washback effects lie in the increased diversity and authenticity of teaching materials, and an increased emphasis on developing students’ communicative competence. However, classroom activities in high schools still tend to be very exam-oriented, and the most frequently used teaching materials are books for exam preparation.

Authors

• Xiao Cheng, East China Normal University

• Shilei Zhang, University of Oxford