High-Stakes National Exam Effects on EFL Teaching and Learning The Case of Third Year Pupils at Mahi Boumediene Secondary School- Tlemcen

Abstract

This research work tried to demonstrate in which way the national high-stakes exam influenced the EFL teaching and learning. The investigation took the form of a case study of 3rd year pupils and teachers of English at Mahi Boumediene secondary school. Eliciting the data from the two sample populations involved in the study was through the use of questionnaires designed for teachers and another one for learners in addition to classroom observation. The information gathered were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings revealed that the high-stakes exam (i.e.; the baccalaureate exam) put teachers in a situation in which they implemented the teaching to the test approach and shifted the learners’ motivation to an extrinsic one. In a nutshell, the evidence collected pointed out to the nature of influence that the baccalaureate exam had on the EFL education at the level of the Algerian secondary schools. III