Web-Based Learning for ESL Writing Skills
Web-Based Learning for ESL Writing Skills
net/publication/394921510
Article in International Journal of Learning Teaching and Educational Research · August 2025
DOI: 10.26803/ijlter.24.8.20
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1. Introduction
The integration of technology to address writing difficulties among English as a
Second Language (ESL) learners have gained significant attention in recent years.
This multi-faceted approach not only enhances their writing proficiency but also
fosters overall language acquisition and confidence in using English in various
contexts, as well as their other skills (Almazroui & Awad, 2025; Asratie et al., 2022;
Gharehblagh & Nasri, 2020; Haerazi et al., 2020). Web-based learning (WBL), also
known as online learning or e-learning, offers interactive and engaging platforms
that cater to the diverse learning needs of English as a Second Language and
English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. It can include multimedia
resources, collaborative writing tools, and feedback mechanisms that promote
active participation and skill development among the learners (Mohd Zaki &
Adnan, 2023; Yazid et al., 2024). By leveraging online environments, educators can
create tailored learning experiences that support language acquisition and writing
proficiency.
English writing is a complex skill that many ESL learners struggle with; it is
widely accepted as a challenging activity and difficult to master (Bora, 2023;
Karim, 2022; Kee et al., 2021; Singh et al., 2020; Taufiq et al., 2021) due to its
complexity in phonological, morphological, semantic, and syntactic structure
(Rao, 2019). Furthermore, writing involves several stages, including pre-writing,
drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Additionally, writing comprises
multiple stages: pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. During
the writing process, writers face challenges with two key aspects: the knowledge
stored in their long-term memory and their strategy for managing rhetorical
elements problems. Consequently, students often feel overwhelmed and lack
motivation in completing writing tasks, as they may struggle to express
themselves effectively. Hence, by having online platforms that provide
comprehensive content and practices, ESL learners can utilise them at their
convenience.
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RQ2: What are the additional benefits of using a web-based learning strategy in
ESL/EFL classrooms?
2. Literature Review
2.1 Web-based learning
Web-based learning (WBL) has become an important method in ESL/EFL
education, with many studies conducted on web-based learning across different
fields (Bashori et al., 2022; Cook, 2007; Destianingsih & Satria, 2017; Farah Amirah
& Nur Ehsan, 2023; Girard & Pinar, 2011; Kusumawati et al., 2025; Nordin et al.,
2016; Prystiananta et al., 2025). One benefit of WBL is its ability to create a flexible
learning environment that suits different learning styles and speeds. Kashefian-
Naeeini et al. (2024) noted that web-based vocabulary lessons offer a richer context
than traditional methods, enabling learners to navigate content more adaptively
and engage more meaningfully with the materials. This flexibility is essential in
helping various resources boost a learner’s ability to express ideas in writing.
On the contrary, Hyland (2003: 10) stated that “the process approach to writing
teaching emphasises the writer as an independent producer of texts, but it goes
further to address the issue of what teachers should do to help learners perform a
writing task”. The writing activity emphasises the writer as an independent
producer of text and further addresses the issue of how to help learners complete
a writing task. This highlights the teacher’s responsibility in guiding and
supporting students through the stages of writing in ESL/EFL classrooms. Since
students require continuous support and guidance, a web-based learning
platform can provide them with guidance as they can access it anywhere and at
any time.
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Based on the research highlighted above, there is a need of research pertaining the
platforms and instructional strategies used by ESL instructors in teaching writing
skills effectively. Further investigation is necessary to identify the types of online
platforms that effectively enhance ESL learners’ writing skills so that the findings
can serve as guidelines for utilising web-based instructional methods in teaching
and learning English writing skills.
3. Methodology
3.1 The Review Protocol (PRISMA)
This systematic review adhered to the established systematic review guideline of
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA
2020 statement) by Page et al. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement includes four
stages: identification, screening, eligibility and inclusion criteria. This updated
guideline for reporting systematic reviews offers numerous advantages that
enhance the quality and transparency of systematic reviews. One advantage is the
comprehensive 27-item checklist that provides a structured framework for
researchers to follow. This checklist ensures that systematic reviews are reported
thoroughly and precisely, thereby facilitating a better understanding of the
findings (Page et al., 2021). On the other hand, to conduct a systematic review,
researchers employed a series of scientific methodologies to minimise systematic
errors (bias) while locating, evaluating and synthesising relevant studies (Rose et
al., 2018). Figure 1 illustrates the application of the PRISMA 2020 framework in
this study.
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Articles excluded (n = 9) as
Articles assessed for
the scope of studies did not
eligibility (n = 27)
fulfil the criteria.
Included
Figure 1: PRISMA 2020 flow diagram adapted from Page et al. (2021)
3.2 Resources
The primary data sources for this study were online database searches. The three
databases used are Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and the Education Resources
Information Center (ERIC). Scopus, the primary source for this systematic review,
is a comprehensive database and a crucial resource across various disciplines. It
is widely regarded as one of the largest databases, encompassing 23,500 journals,
194,000 books, and approximately 9 million conference papers (Cebrino & De la
Cruz, 2020). The second database used in this study was WoS, a robust source that
includes approximately 33,000 journal articles across more than 256 disciplines
(Ramalingam et al., 2022). The third database examined in this systematic review
was ERIC, a valuable tool for researchers in the educational field. Operated by the
U.S. Department of Education, this database offers free access to numerous full-
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3.3 Identification
The initial phase of the systematic review is identification, where key terms are
defined and related or synonymous terms are found using a thesaurus and
Boolean operators. The keywords for searching were “Web-based instructions”,
“ESL”, and “Writing skills”. Next, initial search strings were developed in
November 2024 based on the keywords. By searching the three databases, 97
studies were yielded. However, after a rigorous application of inclusion and
exclusion criteria, the final sample was narrowed down to 18 studies. Table 1
below displays the search strings used in this study for each database.
3.4 Screening
Table 2 outlines the eligibility and exclusion criteria for our research, detailing the
parameters used to select and exclude participants.
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At this stage, the identified articles from the search are reviewed by the inclusion
and exclusion criteria. During the initial keyword search across the three
databases, a total of 97 studies were obtained (Refer to Figure 1). All studies were
assessed using four exclusion criteria (Table 2): article type, language, timeline,
and study area. After screening, 66 articles were excluded, leaving 31 studies for
further review.
3.5 Eligibility
In the third stage, by adopting a two-step evaluation of abstracts and full-text
analysis, 27 articles were identified as relevant to the scope of this study. Further
screening led to the exclusion of another nine articles because they did not meet
the study area’s criteria or the methods employed in those studies. Therefore, only
18 articles are suitable and relevant to this systematic review.
3.6 Included
This systematic review examined web-based instructional methods to enhance
ESL/EFL writing skills. The selected studies are presented in Table 3, which
shows that seven articles were sourced from Scopus, six from WoS, and five from
ERIC. These three databases were selected due to their reputation for high-quality
articles, particularly in the field of education. Additionally, 17 studies were
conducted in higher education, while only one study was completed in a high
school (Hoang & Hoang, 2022). As indicated in Table 3, most studies employed
an experimental research design involving pre-tests and post-tests to assess
students’ writing performance.
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foreign
language (EFL)
learning.
(Pitukwo ERIC MM 53 To examine Thai Notable
ng & undergrad EFL university enhancement in
Saraiwan uates students’ writing skills
g, 2024) enrolled in perceptions of
following the use of
English two digital digital tools.
education writing tools, Students hold
Paragraph positive views of
Punch and Paragraph Punch
ProWritingAid, and
and to assess ProWritingAid.
their writing There is also
performance. increased
motivation and
engagement in
writing classes.
(Yildiz & WoS ER 38 English The aim is to AWE feedback
Gonen, Preparator assess how effectively reduced
2024) y Program effective AWE errors in mechanics
(EPP) feedback is in and usage. Teacher
students reducing errors feedback was more
of a in English effective in
foundatio writing and to addressing content
n explore and organizational
university. students' issues. AWE
opinions on the feedback improved
usefulness of errors related to ill-
AWE tools. formed verbs,
articles, and
punctuation. It
complements
teacher feedback,
enhancing the
development of
writing skills.
TA – Triangulation approach, MM = Mixed-Method, AR= Action Research, ER =
Experimental Research, QER = Quasi-experimental Research
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RQ2: What are the additional benefits of using web-based instructional strategies
in ESL/EFL classrooms?
As noted in the first research question, the platforms were classified into six types
of web-based platforms. Meanwhile, the second research question examined how
web-based instructional methods affected aspects beyond writing skills. The
findings of this systematic review are discussed in the next section.
Netherlands
Turkiye
Vietnam
Thailand
Phillipines
Taiwan
China
UAE
Saudi Arabia
Iraq
Iran
Egypt
0 1 2
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The findings in Table 4 show that the samples are categorized into four main
learner groups: high school students, language academy/institute learners,
college students, and university students. A close examination of the table reveals
a significant imbalance in participant distribution, with a dominant focus on
university students. Out of the 18 studies analysed, 11 involved university
learners, comprising the majority of the sample. In contrast, only four studies
focused on college students, two on language academy or institute learners, and
one study addressed high school students. This distribution suggests a research
trend that heavily favours tertiary-level education, especially university contexts.
Such a pattern may reflect the accessibility of university students for academic
research, as well as the institutional emphasis on academic writing at this level.
RQ1: Which platforms are used in web-based learning to enhance writing skills?
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The findings indicate a positive attitude towards blogging, suggesting its potential
as a valuable instructional method, although it may not be suitable for all writing
tasks. Hoang and Hoang (2022) emphasised the collaborative nature of online
learning through Google Docs, aiming to enhance academic writing skills among
EFL students. This research illustrates the potential of collaborative platforms in
fostering effective writing instruction. Wang (2015) promoted collaborative
writing through wikis in an ESP context, showcasing how technology can advance
innovative and active learning strategies in language education.
Finally, Haro et al. (2023) examined how online peer feedback affects
argumentative essay quality, discovering that the better the peer feedback, the
greater the improvement in students' essays. Higher-quality feedback resulted in
improved revisions and enhancements in the essays, suggesting that effective
feedback can effectively guide students in refining their arguments and overall
writing.
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The next type is automated writing evaluation (AWE), including tools such as
Criterion (Yildiz & Gonen, 2024) and Paragraph Punch and Prowriting Aid
(Pitukwong & Saraiwang, 2024). AWE tools are not viewed as replacements for
teacher feedback but rather as complementary support. They enable teachers to
focus on content and organisation, while the AWE system addresses surface-level
errors, thereby reducing the teachers' workload (Yildiz & Gonen, 2024).
Meanwhile, another platform, known as Grammarly, which is categorised as an
online grammar-checking and editing tool, was used in a study conducted by
Sajjadpour (2021). This study investigates how the Grammarly website influences
the writing performance of Iranian EFL students. Employing a controlled
experimental design reveals how technology can assist in correcting writing flaws
and improving overall writing skills, emphasising the role of digital tools in
language education.
RQ2: What are the additional benefits of using a web-based learning strategy in
ESL/EFL classrooms?
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Based on the thematic analysis, several benefits were identified from the
reviewed articles, prominently the role of collaborative writing and peer
feedback in enhancing writing skills. Wang's exploration of wikis as a
collaborative tool demonstrates how such platforms can promote innovative
learning strategies in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) contexts (Wang, 2015).
Similarly, Hojeij and Hurley (2017) discuss how mobile learning apps can
support peer and self-editing processes, thereby increasing student ownership
of their writing (Hojeij & Hurley, 2017). Haro et al. (2023) demonstrate how
online peer feedback influences the quality of argumentative writing,
emphasizing the role of feedback systems in the writing process. These studies
underscore the value of collaborative methods in fostering a supportive learning
environment that improves writing results.
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Thirdly, this systematic review revealed another significant benefit: the use of
web-based instructional methods contributed to the enhancement of soft skills
such as communication and collaboration (Al Asadi, 2020; Salem, 2022b; Wang,
2015). Salem (2022b) reported that students in the experimental group
demonstrated improved soft skills, particularly in communication and
collaboration, fostered through the interactive nature of the WebQuest. Similarly,
Al Asadi (2020) stated that when students engaged in discussions and group
activities, their ability to work together and express their ideas effectively was also
enhanced.
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5. Conclusion
Web-based learning in ESL/EFL education offers multifaceted advantages for
both students and teachers. For students, it enhances not only their writing
proficiency—including grammar, structure, and coherence—but also promotes
greater autonomy, motivation, and collaborative learning. Digital tools such as
blogs, wikis, and Google Docs provide platforms for authentic communication,
peer feedback, and interactive engagement, which foster improved self-
regulation, confidence, and critical thinking. Furthermore, the flexibility and
accessibility of online learning environments support personalized learning
experiences, making education more inclusive and student-centred.
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