Washback effects of high-stakes language tests of Turkey (KPDS and ÜDS) on productive and receptive skills of academic personnel

Abstract

Washback, the impact of tests on education in general and language testing in particular, has become a popular area of study within educational research. This paper focuses on the washback effects of two high-stakes Foreign Language Tests (KPDS and UDS) of Turkey. The main concern of the study is to investigate the impact of these tests on receptive and productive language skills of academicians. 103 academic personnel working at Nevsehir University attended the study. A 26-item questionnaire was designed and administered to 103 academic personnel working at Nevsehir University. The data were analyzed using statistical analysis including descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics that use ANOVA to find whether there are significant differences between productive and receptive skills of the participants. It has been found out that there are significant differences between reading and writing; reading and listening, but reading and speaking provided insignificant results.