Abstract

The Young Learners English (YLE) test is a worldwide authoritative language test developed by University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES). It conducts impact on young learners English teaching and learning, namely “washback”. Students’ perceptions of a test, including the familiarity with the test, the difficulty level, the accuracy of the assessment as well as the importance of the test, will leave an impact on students’ English learning, which further influence the products of learning. Therefore, it is of massive significance to study YLE washback on young learners’ English learning, which can not only enrich the theories and methods of washback studies, but also provide guidance for the washback studies of other world tests.

A questionnaire survey is employed as the main research instrument, alongside with an interview. 72 students from Chongqing Cambridge Foreign Language School are investigated. The study first investigates the perceptions of YLE test, then presents the students’ English learning, and further explores the influence that the perceptions of YLE test have left on the students’ English learning.

The main research conclusions of the study are as follows:

The study of the perceptions of YLE test finds out that the young learners are quite familiar with the test. They believe the YLE test can accurately assess their English proficiency and the difficulty level of the test is moderate. And the test is believed to have exerted a positive impact on their English learning.

The study of the impact that the perceptions exert on the students’ English learning reveals that the perceptions have left a positive impact on their English learning. Their interest in English has been strengthened and learning motivations become more extensive. The purpose for learning English is not only focused on getting a high mark in the exams. The impact on the amount of time investment is relatively weak. But the perceptions have left positive impact on the distribution of time invested in English. And the perceptions have encouraged the students to be more active in English activities.
Based on the above conclusions, some meaningful suggestions are provided for both the young learners and young learners English teachers.

Key words: YLE test, young learners, English learning, washback