Software Technology and Writing Skills Improvement of Intermediate EFL Learners

The presented study examined the effect of applying software technology, (i.e., WhiteSmoke Writing Software (TM ۲۰۲۰), on the improvement of EFL learners' writing skills. To do so, ۵۵ EFL learners ranged in age from ۲۰ to ۲۲ who were studying English as a Foreign Language in Bahar Institute of Higher Education, Iran were invited to participate in the research. During the study, the participants who were already studying Passages coursebook were informed that for ۷ weeks the class orientation and focus will change to writing instruction, which was most welcome by them. One class was considered as an experimental group of ۲۶ students, while the other one was a control group of ۲۹ students. Based on the prior completion of the course, all were considered intermediate. Control group students worked conventionally on the book and received feedback on their performance from the teacher while the learners in the experimental group worked with WhiteSmoke Writing Software which is the most comprehensive grammar checker. At the end of the study, the comparison of the pretest and posttest demonstrated that the participants in the experimental group outperformed the control group subjects at a ۰.۰۵ significant level. The outcomes of the current study approved that the application of software technology in the classroom context was treasured. Also, the utilization of software made the learners be in charge of their own learning process, which can be a great advantage on the part of online teaching and learning.

Keywords:

E-learning , software technology , Writing Skills , WhiteSmoke writing software (TM ۲۰۲۰)