Iranian EFL Learners’ Perceptions about Automatic Spelling Correction Software Use for Learning English Spellings: A Study with Focus on Gender

• Main Authors: Mehrak Rahimi, Gholamreza Gholizadeh, Ali Shahryari
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lasting Impressions Press 2019-03-01
• Series: International Journal of English Language and Translation Studies
• Subjects: Automatic Correction Software; Spelling; Perceptions; General English; Gender
• Online Access: http://www.eltsjournal.org/archive/value7%20issue1/8-7-1-19.pdf

The aim of the current study was investigating EFL learners’ perceptions of using automatic spelling correction software for learning English spelling among male and female EFL learners. 91 university students (female=42, male=49) of three General English (GE) courses participated in the study. The participants were asked to complete the measure of automatic spelling correction software use perceptions that assessed their perceptions with respect to (a) awareness of how the software functions and corrects the spelling mistakes, (b) the educational value of the software for learning English spelling, (c) learners’ dependence on the software in learning and checking English spelling, and (d) the way software is helpful in improving English spelling. The result of descriptive statistics showed that male students’ mean values on all four components were higher than those of female students meaning that male students were more aware of how the software works, had more positive perceptions of the educational value of the software, were more dependent on the software in learning/checking English spelling, and hold more positive perceptions of the role of the software in improving their English spelling. The result of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) supported a significant difference between two groups’ general perceptions of automatic spelling correction software use. Further analysis showed that the only significant difference between male and female participants was related to their awareness of how the software functions; indicating that male students were more aware of the way the software works and corrects spelling mistakes.