Computer-based Feedback through Grammarly: Impact on Iranian Intermediate EFL Learners’ Writing Skills and Attitudes

Subject Areas : All areas of language and translation

Mohden Ashrafganjoe ¹ , Mohammad Javad Rezai ² , Seyede Elham Elhambakhsh ³

1 - English Department, Maybod Branch, Islamic Azad University, Maybod, Iran
2 - English Department, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
3 - English Department, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran

Received: 2023-02-11 Accepted : 2023-03-26 Published : 2024-04-25

Keywords: Computer-based Feedback, Grammarly&reg, software, L2 Writing Skills, Teacher Feedback, Writing Attitudes,

Abstract :

Abstract The present study was an attempt to investigate the effects of computer-based feedback through Grammarly® on the L2 writing skills and writing attitudes of Iranian EFL learners. Forty lower intermediate and 40 upper intermediate level male and female learners with the age range of 20 to 26 studying TEFL were chosen through a standard version of OQPT as the homogeneity test. These participants represented the two experimental sub-groups namely, Grammarly® Correction Group (GCG) and the Teacher-Correction Group (TCG). To apply the treatment, the subjects in the GCG were asked to develop eight writing tasks all in 150-190 words during the treatment using the Grammarly® software. However, in TCG, the teacher himself provided feedback and assessed the students’ process of learning. Following intervention sessions, the writing posttest was run to measure the learners’ ability in L2 writing skills. Employing two sets of Two-way analysis of covariance (Two-way ANCOVA) and a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), the learners' attitude towards Grammarly ® by proficiency levels was collected and then a thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the interview data. The findings of the present investigation revealed Grammarly® software had a positive and significant effect on improvement of the EFL learners’ writing skills. Moreover, the results showed that the participants had a positive attitude after taking the instruction based on Grammarly® software. The findings have implications for EFL classroom.

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