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A Systematic Review of Online Grammar Checker For EFL Learners Potential and Limitations For English Self Directed Learning
A Systematic Review of Online Grammar Checker For EFL Learners Potential and Limitations For English Self Directed Learning
A Systematic Review of Online Grammar Checker for EFL Learners: Potential and
Limitations for English Self-Directed Learning
Abstract
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, self-learning encourages students to be able to write,
check, and revise the quality of their writing. Numerous online grammar checker
platforms are available to aid students in enhancing their writing abilities. The objective
of this research is to explore the capabilities and constraints of online grammar checkers
in assisting students in evaluating the quality of their writing. The study employed a
library research method and analyzed 14 articles published within the past six years
(2016-2022). The articles were taken from national and international journals.
Researchers analyzed the data by comparing and interpreting data from the title, year,
results, and country of study. The results showed that online grammar checkers have
significant potential to support EFL learners’ self-directed learning of English. However,
the review also acknowledges the limitations of these tools, such as their inability to
detect specific errors or the need for premium versions to access advanced features.
Therefore, online grammar checkers cannot be said to be able to replace the teacher‘s
role in providing feedback due to the limitations of the application, especially for free
users.
INTRODUCTION
In today‘s digital age, online resources have become integral to language learning,
offering a wide range of tools and platforms to support self-directed learning. One such
tool is the online grammar checker, which holds immense potential for learners of
English as a Foreign Language (EFL). There are many English online grammar checkers,
such as Grammarly, Ginger, Hemingway, Quillbot, ProWritingAid, and others. These
tools can assist EFL learners in detecting and rectifying grammatical, spelling, and
punctuation errors in their written work. Additionally, they offer immediate feedback
and advanced recommendations to enhance writing skills progressively.
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A Systematic Review of Online Grammar Checker for EFL Learners: Potential and Limitations for English Self-Directed Learning (Dila
Anggita, Sri Sumarni, Darmahusni and Siti Drivoka Sulistyaningrum)
METHODOLOGY
This research used a qualitative approach with a library research method.
According to George (2008), library research is a research method that involves
gathering data by studying and comprehending information closely related to the
research problem from sources such as theories, journals, articles, books, and other
credible references. To conduct a systematic review of the potential and limitations of
online grammar checkers for EFL learners in self-directed learning, a comprehensive
search of relevant databases such as Google Scholar, Crossref, and Web of Science will
be conducted. The search will include keywords such as ‘online grammar checker,‘ ‘EFL
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Proceedings of the 69th TEFLIN International Conference in conjunction with the 3rd English Education International Conference (EEIC)
September 22-23, 2023, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Based on the titles, we can see that the articles focus on various aspects of using
Grammarly or online grammar checkers, including their effectiveness in improving
specific writing skills, students‘ perceptions of using Grammarly, its role in self-directed
learning, evaluating its performance, and comparing it with other forms of writing
assistance like face-to-face tutoring. The articles also explore using Grammarly in
different educational contexts, such as secondary schools, undergraduate thesis
writing, EFL writing classes, and English education departments.
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A Systematic Review of Online Grammar Checker for EFL Learners: Potential and Limitations for English Self-Directed Learning (Dila
Anggita, Sri Sumarni, Darmahusni and Siti Drivoka Sulistyaningrum)
Number of articles
This bar chart illustrates the number of articles published each year, visually
representing the distribution. The chart shows that the years 2020, 2021, and 2022
have the highest number of publications, indicating an increased interest in the topic
during this period.
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Proceedings of the 69th TEFLIN International Conference in conjunction with the 3rd English Education International Conference (EEIC)
September 22-23, 2023, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
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A Systematic Review of Online Grammar Checker for EFL Learners: Potential and Limitations for English Self-Directed Learning (Dila
Anggita, Sri Sumarni, Darmahusni and Siti Drivoka Sulistyaningrum)
Article 10 The results considered that an online grammar checker is a solution to help
students and teachers improve their writing. It can save their time during
the writing process, especially in editing and revising. The users can get
quick and straightforward feedback and corrections about their writing.
Nevertheless, online grammar checker tools have some limitations in
detecting all mistakes and improving all elements of writing.
Article 11 It serves as a helpful tool for students to check their grammar, punctuation,
and spelling, providing them with easily accessible feedback. However,
Grammarly does have certain drawbacks, such as its dependency on a stable
internet connection and occasional inaccuracies in the results.
Article 12 The results indicate that Grammarly plays a role in students’ writing process.
This supports self-correction, which students can do easily.
Article 13 The findings showed that Grammarly can improve students’ writing abilities.
This is shown by the change in the percentage of cycles one and two scores
on implementing Grammarly in writing class.
Article 14 The data analysis showed that: 1) the participants recognized the benefits
and limitations of both services; 2) the participants used Grammarly more
often than visiting the writing center, but they utilized face-to-face tutoring
for a broader range of purposes compared to Grammarly; 3) the participants
followed a both/and approach toward these two writing resources and used
them to fulfill different needs in different situations.
Based on the data provided in Table 3, which compares the results and findings of
different articles, here is a comparison description. The articles in this dataset present
various findings regarding the effectiveness and perception of using Grammarly or
online grammar checkers for writing improvement. In general, most of the articles
emphasize the favorable influence of online grammar checkers on students’ writing
abilities while acknowledging certain limitations and weaknesses.
Some articles emphasize the positive outcomes of using Grammarly or online
grammar checkers. They indicate that these tools can assist students in improving their
narrative writing, essay writing, thesis writing, and overall writing performance. The
findings show that Grammarly provides helpful feedback, easy-to-understand
explanations, and accurate grammar corrections. Students appreciate the ease of use
and the ability to learn English grammar rules independently. Grammarly is also a
valuable resource for self-directed learning, helping students become more aware of
the writing process.
However, a few articles point out specific weaknesses and limitations of Grammarly
and online grammar checkers. These include the inability to detect tenses thoroughly
and accurately, differences in features between free and premium users, and
challenges in identifying semantic and sentence structure errors. Certain participants
note the necessity of upgrading to the premium edition for enhanced suggestions and
advanced functionalities such as sentence revisions, tone modifications, plagiarism
detection, vocabulary selection, and formality level.
Despite these limitations, the majority of articles conclude that Grammarly and
online grammar checkers have a positive impact on students’ writing. They improve
students’ understanding of grammar rules, help with sentence formation and
correction, and enhance overall writing abilities. Students find these tools helpful, and
easy to use, and they appreciate the time-saving benefits they offer during the writing
process, particularly in the editing and revising stages.
It is worth noting that a couple of articles mention some negative aspects of
Grammarly, such as the requirement of an unstable internet connection and occasional
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Proceedings of the 69th TEFLIN International Conference in conjunction with the 3rd English Education International Conference (EEIC)
September 22-23, 2023, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
inaccuracies in the results. However, these findings are balanced with the overall
positive perception of the tool‘s benefits. Overall, the findings from these articles
suggest that Grammarly and online grammar checkers have the potential to support
students in improving their writing skills by providing valuable feedback, enhancing
grammar knowledge, and facilitating self-correction. While there are limitations to
these tools, they are generally regarded as beneficial resources for both students and
teachers in the writing process.
Based on the data provided in Table 4, which compares the countries associated
with each article, here is a comparison description. The articles in this data set are
conducted in various countries, predominantly in Indonesia, with a few from other
countries. The distribution of articles indicates a strong focus on the Indonesian
context, reflecting the interest in exploring the use of Grammarly and online grammar
checkers within the Indonesian education system.
Indonesia is the most represented country in this data set, with six of the fourteen
articles conducted in Indonesian educational settings. These articles investigate the
perception, effectiveness, and limitations of using Grammarly or online grammar
checkers among Indonesian students. They provide insights into how these tools can
enhance writing skills in the Indonesian context. Malaysia is the country associated with
Article 1, which examines the effectiveness of an online grammar checker in improving
narrative writing among secondary students in Malaysian public schools. This article
provides valuable insights specific to the Malaysian education system and compares the
findings from Indonesian studies. India is represented by Article 6, which evaluates the
performance of different grammar-checking tools. While this article focuses not solely
on Grammarly, it provides a broader perspective on the performance of various
grammar-checking tools, including Grammarly, in the Indian context.
Then, Australia is associated with Article 8, which investigates the usefulness of an
online grammar checker as students perceive it. This article provides insights into how
Australian students perceive and utilize Grammarly, offering a perspective outside the
Southeast Asian region. Vietnam is associated with Article 12, which applies Grammarly
as an online grammar checker tool to enhance writing skills for English-major students.
This article explores the application of Grammarly within the Vietnamese educational
context and its impact on students’ writing abilities. Lastly, Article 14 is conducted in
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A Systematic Review of Online Grammar Checker for EFL Learners: Potential and Limitations for English Self-Directed Learning (Dila
Anggita, Sri Sumarni, Darmahusni and Siti Drivoka Sulistyaningrum)
Pennsylvania, indicating a study conducted in the United States. While the specifics of
the study are not provided, it offers a perspective from a different educational system
and cultural context.
In summary, most of the articles in this dataset focus on the Indonesian context,
highlighting the interest in exploring the use of Grammarly and online grammar
checkers within Indonesian education. However, there are also articles from other
countries, such as Malaysia, India, Australia, Vietnam, and the United States, providing
diverse perspectives on the use and effectiveness of these tools in different educational
settings.
CONCLUSION
After conducting a systematic review of the potential and limitations of online
grammar checkers for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners in the context of self-
directed learning, several key conclusions can be drawn from the analyzed studies.
1. Potential for English Self-Directed Learning: The systematic review reveals that
online grammar checkers have significant potential in supporting EFL learners’ self-
directed learning of English. These tools offer learners a convenient and accessible
means to improve their grammar skills independently. The studies consistently
show that EFL learners perceive online grammar checkers as helpful tools for
identifying and correcting grammatical errors in their writing. These tools’ instant
feedback and explanations enable learners to understand and learn from their
mistakes, thereby promoting self-directed learning.
2. Improvement in Grammar Accuracy: The findings of the systematic review
demonstrate that online grammar checkers contribute to the enhancement of EFL
learners’ grammar accuracy. The use of these tools leads to a reduction in
grammatical errors in learners’ written work. By highlighting and suggesting
corrections for errors related to grammar, syntax, and punctuation, online
grammar checkers assist learners in producing more accurate and polished English
writing.
3. Facilitation of Self-Directed Learning: The systematic review suggests that online
grammar checkers facilitate EFL learners’ self-directed learning. These tools
empower learners to take ownership of their language learning process by enabling
them to identify and rectify their grammatical errors. The immediate feedback
provided by online grammar checkers encourages learners to reflect on their
writing and make necessary revisions independently. This self-directed learning
approach fosters EFL learners’ autonomy, self-confidence, and metacognitive
awareness.
4. Limitations and Challenges: Despite their potential benefits, the systematic review
identifies certain limitations and challenges associated with online grammar
checkers for EFL learners. One limitation is that these tools primarily focus on
surface-level grammatical errors and may not provide comprehensive feedback on
higher-order writing concerns such as content organization, coherence, and clarity.
Additionally, the accuracy and reliability of online grammar checkers can vary, and
they may not always detect subtle or context-dependent errors accurately.
Moreover, online grammar checkers may not fully account for EFL learners’ diverse
language backgrounds and unique linguistic needs, leading to potential limitations
in their applicability and effectiveness.
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Proceedings of the 69th TEFLIN International Conference in conjunction with the 3rd English Education International Conference (EEIC)
September 22-23, 2023, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
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A Systematic Review of Online Grammar Checker for EFL Learners: Potential and Limitations for English Self-Directed Learning (Dila
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