مجلة السراج في التربية وقضايا المجتمع
Volume 9, Numéro 3, Pages 153-169
2025-09-30
The Role Of Local Culture In Engaging Test Takers' Interaction With The Test Input Analyzing Reading Texts In The Algerian English Bac Exams (2021-2024)
Authors : Takouachet Djedda . Naoua Mohammed .
Abstract
Cultural validity lies at the heart of meaningful high-stakes language testing, as it keeps the test content more inclusive, and relevant to learners’ socio-cultural contexts. Yet, in Algeria, the contribution of culture in English Baccalaureate Test is said to inadequately reflect the cultural diversity of its test-takers, resulting in a missed opportunity to enrich the exam’s educational and cultural relevance. Therefore, this article seeks to investigate the cultural representation in the Literary and Philosophy stream of the Algerian English BAC Test, with a focus on reading texts from 2021 to 2024. In doing so, Byram’s Intercultural Communicative Competence framework is used as the primary analytical guide. The study evaluates the extent to which the texts reflect local, global, or neutral cultural themes and align with intercultural competence goals. A descriptive content analysis is employed with findings indicated that AEBTs are mostly focused on global cultural themes, lack Algerian cultural elements, and provide few opportunities for critical engagement. Practical recommendations for enhancing exam’s cultural validity are provided.
Keywords
BAC test ; cultural validity ; Literary and Philosophy stream ; reading texts.
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