Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 16. Number 1, March 2025 Pp.384-402

The Impact of AI-Generated Feedback Explicitness (Generic vs. Specific) on EFL Students’ Use of Automated Written Corrective Feedback

The English Unit, College of Applied Studies, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia.

Corresponding Author: E-mails: bilelelmotri@gmail.com

Department of Languages and Translation, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia.

Department of Languages and Translation, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia

Department of Languages and Translation, Faculty of Arts and Science- Rafha, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia

Department of Languages and Translation, Faculty of Arts and Science- Rafha, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia

Department of Languages and Translation, Faculty of Arts and Science- Rafha, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia

Department of English, Applied College Rafha, Faculty of Education and Arts, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia.

Department of Languages and Translation, Faculty of Arts and Science- Rafha, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia

Abstract:

This study investigates how AI-driven Automated Written Corrective Feedback can facilitate EFL writing, teaching, and evaluation in Arab schools and universities. The study addresses a significant research gap in the Computer-Assisted Language Learning literature by examining the impact of Automated Essay Scoring systems’ feedback on EFL University students’ writing. AI-powered AWCF tools have the potential to enhance writing accuracy, provide individualized feedback, and reduce teachers’ workload by offering automated yet effective corrective feedback. By analyzing EFL learners’ and instructors’ perceptions, this study contributes to developing user-centered AWE systems that align with the pedagogical needs of L2 writing instruction. The findings will inform educators, software developers, and policymakers on optimizing AI-driven feedback for EFL learners. The Main Research Question is: How does AI-driven Automated Written Corrective Feedback influence EFL university students’ writing proficiency and feedback preferences? A mixed-methods approach was used to conduct a longitudinal controlled experiment at Northern Border University in Saudi Arabia. The study involved questionnaires with 120 students and interviews with 27 students and 4 teachers. An exploratory factor analysis was employed to analyze perceptions of AWCF. The data analyzed the impact of ease of use, clarity, usefulness, EFL learners’ perceptions, and feedback explicitness on AWCF use. The findings proved that EFL students and teachers found AWE systems easy to use and useful for corrective feedback. Furthermore, students preferred using specific AWCF strategies over generic feedback. Developers should consider diverse factors influencing EFL learners’ preferences and views of AWCF to create useful, clear, and desirable tools.

Cite as:

Elmotri, B., Harizi, R., Boujlida,A., Elyasa, Y.M., Garrouri, S., Amri, F., Malik, F. H., & Al-humari, M.A. (2025). The Impact of AI-Generated Feedback Explicitness. Arab World English Journal, 16(1):384-402

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Dr. Bilel Elmotri holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics from Tunisia and is a faculty member at Northern Border University, Saudi Arabia. His research focuses on EMI, ESP, EFL, artificial Intelligence, and technology’s role in language learning, mainly through Automated Writing Corrective Feedback tools. Elmotri has published articles and presented papers at conferences.
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5744-0224.

Radhia Harizi is a faculty member in the Department of Languages and Translation at the Northern Border University in Saudi Arabia. She received a Master’s degree in Linguistics from the University of Sfax, Tunisia, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. Her research centers on issues related to second-language learning, individual differences and emotional variables in second-language acquisition, pragmatics, EFL, artificial intelligence, and technology`s role in learning. Harizi has published a number of articles. E-mail:Rafifradhia@gmail.com ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1621-3530

Amel Boujlida is an experienced lecturer with 15 years of teaching expertise, 10 of which were spent at Northern Borders University. The academic contributions include writing several articles focused on the field of linguistics. Department of Languages and Translation, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia E-mail:amelb.graa@hotmail.com
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9247-0523

Yasir M. Elyasa is a teaching staff member of the Department of Languages and Translation, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Northern Border University, KSA. He holds a PhD. in English literature from the University of Khartoum, Sudan. His research revolves around topics related to literature and applied linguistics, as in some published articles. Email: Yasir.Elyasa@nbu.edu.sa
ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3415-9306

Sihem Garrouri is an Assistant Professor of English at Northern Border University, Saudi Arabia. She studied at the University of Caen Normandy, France. Her research interests include Renaissance studies, the Elizabethan era, and history of thoughts and politics. Garrouri’s recent publications include “Queen Elizabeth I: The Rhetoric of a Unique Paradoxical Image”, “Mythologizing the Memory of Gloriana”, and “Elizabeth I’s Royal Progresses: A Study of Formal Orations and Poetic Recitations”.Email:sihem.garrouri@gmail.com    ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6600-4870

Farid Amri is currently teaching in the Department of Languages and Translation at the Northern Border University, KSA. He received a PhD from the University of Mannuba, Tunisia. His research centers on discourse analysis, second-language acquisition, and the role of artificial intelligence in language learning. Email: ferid9002@yahoo.com
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3745-3479

Dr. Fakhar Malik has PhD in Interpersonal Linguistics. He is specialisd in Lingustics & Applied Ling, TESOL. He has diverse experience in the universities of NUML, UIIT, IU, AIOU & NBU. His interests of research are in both Lingustics & Applied Linguistics.He works in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, NBU. Email: awanhassnain@gmail.com
ORCID: http://Orcid.org/0000.0001-7501-4325

Mustafa Ahmed Al-humari is an Assistant Professor of Linguistics in the Department of Languages and Translation, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Arar, Northern Border University, Saudi Arabia. His primary research areas include morphosyntactic and syntax-semantic interface issues in languages with a focus on English and Arabic. He has also conducted research on English language learning and acquisition. Email: mustafa4008@gmail.com  ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1054-4752