Enhancing Writing Accuracy and Complexity through AI-Assisted Tools among Moroccan EFL University Learners

Abstract

The present study investigates the effectiveness of the use of AI-powered tools, such as ChatGPT and Grammarly, in improving writing accuracy and complexity among Moroccan University English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. Since education in the 21st century has undergone radical and rapid changing landscape due to the advancement and integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), there is a pressing need in examining its potential impact on language learning, particularly in enhancing the complexity and accuracy of the writing skill. Numerous studies were carried out on the impact of AI-powered tools on writing in general, but a few of them were conducted on the impact of these tools on particular writing subskills, like accuracy and complexity; hence this piece of research attempts to fill this gap. The study employs a quantitative design, administering a Likert-scale questionnaire to Moroccan University EFL learners to assess how their use of AI-powered tools influences writing accuracy and complexity. The findings revealed a positive impact on writing accuracy and complexity among Moroccan EFL learners, resulting in the production of complex syntactic structures and error-free constructions. This improvement primarily stems from the AI-powered tools' ability to provide personalized feedback and foster self-directed learning. Interestingly, the study also showed a strong positive correlation between accuracy and complexity, indicating that improvement in one aspect leads to improvement in the other. Such results serve as a trigger for decision-makers, including curriculum designers, to properly integrate AI in education for reinforcing writing instruction and support EFL learners in their language learning development.