Impact of Auto-Correction Features in Text-Processing Software on the Academic Writing of ESL Learners
The intrusion of technology into language education is undeniable. However, its impact on English as a Second Language (ESL) learners remains unexplored. This study explores how the text-processing and suggestion features of Microsoft Word affect the English language development of ESL learners. Th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Ljubljana Press (Založba Univerze v Ljubljani)
2025-06-01
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| Series: | ELOPE |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.uni-lj.si/elope/article/view/20132 |
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| author | Rashmika Lekamge Clayton Smith |
| author_facet | Rashmika Lekamge Clayton Smith |
| author_sort | Rashmika Lekamge |
| collection | DOAJ |
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The intrusion of technology into language education is undeniable. However, its impact on English as a Second Language (ESL) learners remains unexplored. This study explores how the text-processing and suggestion features of Microsoft Word affect the English language development of ESL learners. The writing samples show that while beginners make fewer spelling and punctuation errors, prolonged reliance on software weakens long-term language proficiency. This finding is supported by cluster analysis of first-year undergraduates, thirdyear undergraduates, and postgraduates. Conversely, first-year undergraduates learners excel in structuring paragraphs and writing a variety of sentences, which are the areas untouched by automation offered in the tested software. Semi-structured interviews with research-active academics and postgraduate students further validated these findings, highlighting a critical decline in writing confidence due to over-dependence on emerging technology. The study underscores the hidden costs of convenience, urging a recalibration of technology-integrated language pedagogy.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dac6a2b4a8b243a291335e8b1b88c97a |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 1581-8918 2386-0316 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | University of Ljubljana Press (Založba Univerze v Ljubljani) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | ELOPE |
| spelling | doaj-art-dac6a2b4a8b243a291335e8b1b88c97a2025-06-26T11:14:56ZengUniversity of Ljubljana Press (Založba Univerze v Ljubljani)ELOPE1581-89182386-03162025-06-0122110.4312/elope.22.1.69-91Impact of Auto-Correction Features in Text-Processing Software on the Academic Writing of ESL LearnersRashmika Lekamge0Clayton Smith1Sabaragamuwa University of Sri LankaUniversity of Windsor The intrusion of technology into language education is undeniable. However, its impact on English as a Second Language (ESL) learners remains unexplored. This study explores how the text-processing and suggestion features of Microsoft Word affect the English language development of ESL learners. The writing samples show that while beginners make fewer spelling and punctuation errors, prolonged reliance on software weakens long-term language proficiency. This finding is supported by cluster analysis of first-year undergraduates, thirdyear undergraduates, and postgraduates. Conversely, first-year undergraduates learners excel in structuring paragraphs and writing a variety of sentences, which are the areas untouched by automation offered in the tested software. Semi-structured interviews with research-active academics and postgraduate students further validated these findings, highlighting a critical decline in writing confidence due to over-dependence on emerging technology. The study underscores the hidden costs of convenience, urging a recalibration of technology-integrated language pedagogy. https://journals.uni-lj.si/elope/article/view/20132automated writing correctionESL developmenttechnology dependencewriting proficiency declinetext-processing software |
| spellingShingle | Rashmika Lekamge Clayton Smith Impact of Auto-Correction Features in Text-Processing Software on the Academic Writing of ESL Learners ELOPE automated writing correction ESL development technology dependence writing proficiency decline text-processing software |
| title | Impact of Auto-Correction Features in Text-Processing Software on the Academic Writing of ESL Learners |
| title_full | Impact of Auto-Correction Features in Text-Processing Software on the Academic Writing of ESL Learners |
| title_fullStr | Impact of Auto-Correction Features in Text-Processing Software on the Academic Writing of ESL Learners |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of Auto-Correction Features in Text-Processing Software on the Academic Writing of ESL Learners |
| title_short | Impact of Auto-Correction Features in Text-Processing Software on the Academic Writing of ESL Learners |
| title_sort | impact of auto correction features in text processing software on the academic writing of esl learners |
| topic | automated writing correction ESL development technology dependence writing proficiency decline text-processing software |
| url | https://journals.uni-lj.si/elope/article/view/20132 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rashmikalekamge impactofautocorrectionfeaturesintextprocessingsoftwareontheacademicwritingofesllearners AT claytonsmith impactofautocorrectionfeaturesintextprocessingsoftwareontheacademicwritingofesllearners |