Daniel Ghamarian a *, Khalil Motallebzadeh b, Mohammad Ali Fatemi c

Abstract

Investigating the Relationship between the Washback Effect of IELTS Test and Iranian IELTS Candidates’ Life Skills

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the relationship between the washback effect of IELTS test and Iranian IELTS candidates’ life skills pattern as well as investigating the relationship between constructs underlying IELTS test and Iranian IELTS candidates’ communicative skill viewpoints on language proficiency. The correlational research method was employed as the design of the study. The study included 322 Iranian IELTS candidates who completed IELTS preparation courses. To collect data, the researchers developed the researchers-made version of the Iranian life skill and communication skill questionnaire based upon the 4-H and Targeting Life Skills (TLS) (Norman & Jordan, 2012), models. Likewise, the researchers used the academic module of IELTS test in the study. Study found no significant relationship between the washback effect of IELTS test and Iranian IELTS candidates’ life skills pattern. Similarly, the results showed that there was no significant relationship between the constructs underlying IELTS test and Iranian IELTS candidates’ communicative skill viewpoints on language proficiency.

Keywords

• Communicative competence
• construct validity
• language proficiency
• life skills
• washback

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