AUTOMATED WRITING EVALUATION (AWE) IN VIETNAMESE EFL CLASSROOMS: ENHANCING SKILLS AND UNDERSTANDING STUDENT PERCEPTION

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of an Automated Writing Evaluation (AWE) tool, - Write & Improve - in enhancing writing skills among non-English majored students at a public university in Vietnam and examine their perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of this tool. Participants of the study included thirty-eight non-English majored students who were taking a General English 1 course. A mixed methods design was employed for the study, which involved data collection through pre- and post-tests and a questionnaire on students’ perception of the tool after one semester of use. The findings of this study proved the effectiveness of this tool in improving students’ writing skills and highlighted the positive perceptions of students towards the implementation of the AWE tool in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) writing classrooms. However, the data also indicated that the students encountered several challenges. Teachers need to consider these challenges when incorporating this tool into EFL writing instruction. Recommendations and practical implications for language teaching, learning, and assessment are discussed.