商品簡介
IELTS Washback in Context――Preparation for Academic Writing in Higher EducationThe International English Language Testing System (IELTS)plays a key role in enablinginternational students to gain access to tertiary education opportunities in English-speakingcountries. Preparation courses for IELTS test takers are now widespread and opinions differ onthe contribution of such courses to the development of academic literacy skills. This volume reports an empirical study to investigate the washback of the IELTS Writing subteston English for Academic Purposes (EAP)provision. The study examines dedicated IELTSpreparation courses alongside broader programmes designed to develop the academic literacyskills required for university study. Using a variety of data collection methods and analyticaltechniques, the research explores the complex relationship that exists between teaching andleaming processes and their outcomes. The role of IELTS in EAP provision is evaluated,particularly in relation to the length of time and amount of language support needed by learnersto meet minimally acceptable standards for English-medium tertiary study. Key features of the book include:·a comprehensive review of the literature on washback and on academic writing· exemplification of how innovative tools, such as neural network analysis, can be combinedwith more taditional statistical and qualitative techniques· valuable insights into the learning and test-taking processes of learners of academic writingskills· recommendations for course provision and assessment designThis volume will be of direct interest to providers and users of general proficiency and EAP tests.as well as academic researchers and graduate students interested in investigating test washbackand impact. It will also be relevant to teachers, lecturers and researchers concerned with thedevelopment of EAP writing skills.
