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Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 16. Number 2, June 2025 Pp. 445-458
Faculty of Education and Teacher Training,
Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo Semarang, Indonesia
English Education Department
Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, Universitas Islam Negeri
Walisongo
Semarang, Indonesia
English Education Department
Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia
Master Program of Linguistics
The purpose of this study is to explain how students’ online English competence tests were implemented and to analyze the washback effects of this assessment. The study used a qualitative methodology and a descriptive research design. The study included 20 English teachers and seventh-grade students from 14 Islamic secondary schools in Semarang city, Indonesia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Observation and documentation were conducted to collect the data. The data were analyzed through selection, reduction, and verification. The findings indicate that students’ online assessments of their English ability were done appropriately for their teachers. They made use of numerous platforms and testing tools. Notwithstanding certain obstacles, the students looked for multiple ways to overcome them. It is possible to argue that online student assessments have positive and negative effects. English teachers should employ appropriate and doable strategies to minimize the detrimental washback effects of online English assessments on students while maximizing the favorable washback effects. They can combine student-centered and teacher-centered strategies in a harmonious way by delivering positive reinforcement to students, emphasizing the advantages of full English competence, and including pair and group work in lesson preparation.
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Dr. Siti Mariam, M.Pd, She has been an English lecturer, researcher, and trainer in education, at the Faculty of Education and Teacher Training of Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo Semarang, Indonesia since 1992. She is interested in conducting research on Language Teaching Methodology, Teaching Media, Language Testing and Assessment, TESOL, and Teacher Professional Development. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3639-1301
Sayyidatul Fadlilah, M.Pd. She is an English lecturer, researcher, and trainer in education, at the Faculty of Education and Teacher Training of Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo Semarang, Indonesia. She is interested in conducting research on Teaching English for Young Learners, and Language Teaching Methodology. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1318-8180
Dr. Catur Kepirianto, M.Hum, He has been a lecturer, researcher, and trainer at the Master Program of Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia. He is interested in ELT, psycholinguistics, socio pragmatics, and Second Language Acquisition. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1768-6005