Computer-assisted language learning (CALL): Using paragraph punch software in developing EFL paragraph writing skills

Abstract

The study aimed at examining the effect of Paragraph Punch on developing EFL students' writing paragraphs. The participants were eighty English language students of the English Department, Al-Balqa Applied University, who had enrolled in the Writing paragraph course. They were distributed into two assigned sections: the experimental group of (40) participants who have experience in using Paragraph Punch software, was taught according to the Paragraph Punch Software; while the control group of (40) was taught according to the traditional method. The data from the students in the pre-test and the post-test were analysed by using a t-test. The researchers aimed to find out either both groups are equivalent, by analyzing the pre-test, or how Paragraph Punch affected their skill in paragraph writing by analyzing the post-test. The results of the study showed that the software enhances the students' paragraph writing ability. Thus, it is recommended that EFL instructors should use Paragraph Punch as an alternative way to improve students' writing paragraphs. The researchers encouraged other researchers in TEFL to conduct other studies about the effect of using Paragraph Punch software on improving paragraph writing skills at different levels. After applying Paragraph Punch software in the current experiment, the researchers noticed some obstacles and problems facing the teachers and students in using Paragraph Punch software to write paragraphs. Thus, he also suggested conducting different studies to handle those problems and find solutions.