Title : EFL Learners’ Writing Accuracy: Effects of
Direct and Metalinguistic
Electronic Feedback
Writer and
Institution : Zahra Kheradmand Saadi and Mahboobeh Saadat,
Department of
Foreign Languages
and Linguistics, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Publisher : Theory and Practice in
Language Studies, Vol. 5, No. 10, pp. 2053-
2063, October 2015 DOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.17507/tpls.0510.11
The development of using
technology in English Language Teaching
has been increasing including the use of technology in giving feedback in writing. This
research investigated the effects of direct and metalinguistic
electronic feedback (E-feedback) on Iranian EFL learners’ writing accuracy and
attitudes toward computer assisted language learning (CALL). The subject of
this research is 29 Iranian male and female EFL learners ; sophomore students
majoring in English Language and Literature who had already enrolled in two
classes. The researcher used
mixed-method
design. Students in one group received
direct electronic corrective feedback (DECF) using Ginger software. In the
other group received metalinguistic
electronic corrective feedback (MECF) in the form of error codes provided
using Markin4 software. Markin4
(Creative Technology, 2013) is a Windows program that provides a comprehensive
set of tools enabling the teacher to mark and annotate the text, and give
comments and feedback to the students; hence, the software was employed to
provide metalinguistic electronic corrective feedback in the MECF group.
The result of this study was both groups
improved in writing accuracy. The result also revealed that students in MECF got higher score in structure,
vocabulary, and punctuation than student in DECF. But the differences were not
statistically different except in vocabulary. In addition, the student had
positive attitude in CALL for example they
believed that electronic materials engage them in language learning and
create a stress-free environment for learning and they stated that the use of
electronic sources reduces students’ dependence on teachers and that the
students become more responsible for their own learning.
The same with this research, it is
appropriate if the educator applies Ginger and Markin4 software to University student or senior high school
student in my region especially. Though,
may be the connection is one of the barriers but the students or teachers can still
use the internet if they get connection. The teacher must master the softwares
and explain to the students how to use those softwares so the application will
be running well. This study will
motivate the educators and students to use new technology and apply it in the
learning process. Ultimately, those
softwares will give many advantages to both teachers and students.
