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Washback of English Exit Exam (EEE) on Thai University Students' English Language Learning

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Title: Washback of English Exit Exam (EEE) on Thai University Students' English Language Learning
Language: English
Authors: Sasima Charubusp, Orawan Wangsombat, Napatacha Sriwichai, Chanida Phongnapharuk
Source: PASAA: Journal of Language Teaching and Learning in Thailand. 2025 70:99-131.
Availability: Chulalongkorn University Language Institute. Prem Purachatra Building, Chulalongkom University, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Tel: +66-2-218-6092; Fax: +66-2-218-6104; e-mail: pasaa.editor@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.culi.chula.ac.th/en/pasaa/1
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 33
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Language Tests, Testing Problems, High Stakes Tests, Exit Examinations, Language of Instruction, Universities, Undergraduate Students, Student Attitudes, Educational Policy, Test Validity, Test Reliability, College Attendance, Language Proficiency, Alignment (Education), Learning Motivation, Test Preparation, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Thailand
ISSN: 0125-2488
2287-0024
Abstract: Washback refers to the impact of a test on instruction and learning, with high-stakes tests exerting both positive and negative effects. This study examined the washback of an English exit exam (EEE) on English language learning at a Thai university where English-medium instruction is used in most academic disciplines. The EEE is an in-house standardized test and serves as a graduation requirement for all undergraduate students at this institution. This study employed a mixed-methods research design, collecting quantitative data from 42 students via a questionnaire and qualitative data from nine students via semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed both positive and negative washback effects. Despite awareness of the EEE policy, students perceived the test as lacking validity and reliability due to a disconnect between the learning content and the test constructs, leading to the adoption of more mechanical, rather than communicative, learning strategies. Additionally, their perception of misalignment between EEE results and their actual proficiency contributed to negative washback. However, some positive washback was observed in students' development of intrinsic motivation driven by their curiosity and eagerness to improve their English skills during exam preparation. The study provides unique insights into the washback effects on Thai education, particularly in English-medium instruction settings.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1478193
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1478193
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  Data: Washback of English Exit Exam (EEE) on Thai University Students' English Language Learning
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sasima+Charubusp%22">Sasima Charubusp</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Orawan+Wangsombat%22">Orawan Wangsombat</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Napatacha+Sriwichai%22">Napatacha Sriwichai</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Chanida+Phongnapharuk%22">Chanida Phongnapharuk</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22PASAA%3A+Journal+of+Language+Teaching+and+Learning+in+Thailand%22"><i>PASAA: Journal of Language Teaching and Learning in Thailand</i></searchLink>. 2025 70:99-131.
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  Data: Chulalongkorn University Language Institute. Prem Purachatra Building, Chulalongkom University, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Tel: +66-2-218-6092; Fax: +66-2-218-6104; e-mail: pasaa.editor@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.culi.chula.ac.th/en/pasaa/1
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  Data: 33
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22English+%28Second+Language%29%22">English (Second Language)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Learning%22">Second Language Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Instruction%22">Second Language Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Tests%22">Language Tests</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Testing+Problems%22">Testing Problems</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22High+Stakes+Tests%22">High Stakes Tests</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Exit+Examinations%22">Exit Examinations</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+of+Instruction%22">Language of Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Universities%22">Universities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Policy%22">Educational Policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Test+Validity%22">Test Validity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Test+Reliability%22">Test Reliability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Attendance%22">College Attendance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Proficiency%22">Language Proficiency</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Alignment+%28Education%29%22">Alignment (Education)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning+Motivation%22">Learning Motivation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Test+Preparation%22">Test Preparation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink>
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  Label: Geographic Terms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thailand%22">Thailand</searchLink>
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  Data: 0125-2488<br />2287-0024
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Washback refers to the impact of a test on instruction and learning, with high-stakes tests exerting both positive and negative effects. This study examined the washback of an English exit exam (EEE) on English language learning at a Thai university where English-medium instruction is used in most academic disciplines. The EEE is an in-house standardized test and serves as a graduation requirement for all undergraduate students at this institution. This study employed a mixed-methods research design, collecting quantitative data from 42 students via a questionnaire and qualitative data from nine students via semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed both positive and negative washback effects. Despite awareness of the EEE policy, students perceived the test as lacking validity and reliability due to a disconnect between the learning content and the test constructs, leading to the adoption of more mechanical, rather than communicative, learning strategies. Additionally, their perception of misalignment between EEE results and their actual proficiency contributed to negative washback. However, some positive washback was observed in students' development of intrinsic motivation driven by their curiosity and eagerness to improve their English skills during exam preparation. The study provides unique insights into the washback effects on Thai education, particularly in English-medium instruction settings.
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: EJ1478193
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 33
        StartPage: 99
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: English (Second Language)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Second Language Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Second Language Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Language Tests
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Testing Problems
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: High Stakes Tests
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Exit Examinations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Language of Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Universities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Policy
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      – SubjectFull: Test Validity
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      – SubjectFull: Test Reliability
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      – SubjectFull: College Attendance
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      – SubjectFull: Language Proficiency
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Alignment (Education)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Learning Motivation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Test Preparation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Thailand
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Washback of English Exit Exam (EEE) on Thai University Students' English Language Learning
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            NameFull: Sasima Charubusp
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            NameFull: Chanida Phongnapharuk
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            – D: 01
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              Type: published
              Y: 2025
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            – TitleFull: PASAA: Journal of Language Teaching and Learning in Thailand
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