The Effect of Corrective Feedback Strategies via Email on Writing Accuracy Improvement: A Case of Iranian EFL Learners

Abstract

Indubitably, The efficacy of feedback has received a great deal of attention in recent years. In this respect the importance of Corrective feedback in learning has taken the notice of scholars. There are various strategies of providing corrective feedback which are the aims of this present article. In addition, student writing in different contexts of ESL/EFL has heightened the need for this study, too. Accordingly, the present study aimed at investigating the provision of corrective feedback on student writing via new media of communication as Email and Microsoft Word software.To this end, from the population of 84 Iranian EFL students of higher intermediate levels, 4 groups of indirect feedback, direct feedback, indirect followed by direct with explicit corrective comments, and no feedback (IF, DF, IDECC, NF) were selected. These groups were observed concerning the impact of feedback each group received the results of this study are in line with the effectiveness of corrective feedback in student writing. The analysis of the data indicated that all three treatment groups achieved better results than the control group after two stages of revisions . Among treatment groups, the IDECC which received instruction of both strategies of providing feedback gained the most impact in the new essay and in a long run.

DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2016.v5n3p149