Effects of Teacher vs. Grammarly Feedback on Iranian EFL Learners’ Writing Skill

Subject Areas :

Hoda Sistani ¹ , Omid Tabatabaei ²

1 - English Department, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
2 - English Department, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran

Received: 2023-01-25 Accepted : 2023-02-26 Published : 2023-07-01

Keywords: second language writing, L2 learners, Automated writing feedback, Grammarly,

Abstract :

Among four language skills, the task of writing is one of the most complex and demanding cognitive processes. Also, feedback is necessary for teachers during their careers to improve their students ‘self-confidence. So, the present study aimed to explore the impact of feedback provided by Grammarly Software compared to teachers’ feedback on the writing ability of Iranian EFL learners. Through the nonrandom sampling method, 60 intermediate male and female EFL learners were selected, then they were randomly assigned to two main groups: the experimental and control group. In ten sessions, the participants were administered the Oxford Placement Test (OQPT), Pretest of Essay Writing, the Grammarly software program, a Posttest of Essay Writing, and an attitude questionnaire. The data gathered from the comparison of the pretest and posttest revealed that the experimental group members outperformed those in the control group, meaning that the Grammarly software program positively affected the EFL learners' writing ability. The results might have implications for language teachers, learners, and materials developers.

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