A brief internet search will show up heaps of sources offering services that can produce a high-scoring IELTS Task 2 essay written by Artificial Intelligence. What's more, these sources claim they can precisely grade your IELTS Task 2 essay using AI.
This article discusses the current role of AI in generating and grading IELTS Task 2 essays along with personal research that may challenge the current AI hype.
AI written task 2 essays
Out of curiosity, I asked an AI provider to write a band 6.0 Task 2 using a genuine past paper task. The provider swiftly produced an essay that was grammatically flawless, with no punctuation or spelling errors, and was well-organized into paragraphs. This raised the questions...
Why is it only a band 6.0? Shouldn't flawless grammar and other language elements be rated higher? A 6.0 band answer written by a human would contain errors, wouldn't it?
I then asked the provider to write a band 4.0 Task 2 using the same prompt. The outcome was the same flawless language, with the only difference being that the sentences were much shorter and simpler.
At present, AI algorithms struggle to replicate human error. I guess it's understandable given that human writing can include numerous language mistakes.
Thus, AI is not yet fully evolved as a source for providing teachers and students with reliable IELTS Task 2 samples at different band scores and should be viewed with caution.
Asking AI to create IELTS Task 2 essays contributes little, if anything at all, to the learning process. Students aiming to improve their scores can only succeed through trial and error and getting quality feedback from experienced IELTS teachers.
In the actual test, there's no AI assistance.
AI grading of IELTS task 2 essays
In recent years, students and teachers have begun using AI-powered tools for assessing IELTS task 2 essays. My experience of researching how reliable and accurate this resource is has produced mixed results.
On the positive side, AI skillfully assesses language, including grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word choice. Additionally, the feedback is immediate and includes explanations of errors and alternative phrasing, enabling students to analyze and enhance their writing skills.
I highly recommend using AI for grading and providing precise feedback on the usage (rules) of language.
On the other hand, when it comes to the use (the communicative meaning) of language and the creative aspects of writing, these can be overlooked because the AI algorithms analyze language patterns based on existing datasets.
Current AI systems particularly struggle to understand the significance of the Task Response criterion for IELTS Task 2.
For example, a group of experienced IELTS teachers and I carried out an experiment with a well-known AI provider, which shall remain unnamed due to their army of lawyers. We selected a Task 2 essay written by a high-level IELTS student.
The task and answer were,
In the thesis statement, the student said the disadvantages totally outweighed the advantages yet in the body paragraphs, they presented ideas and supporting details for both perspectives. We all agreed that according to the band descriptors, the grades were...
Task Response: 5 - The writer expresses a position, but the development is not always
clear.
Coherence & Cohesion: 8
Lexical Resource: 8
Grammatical Range & Accuracy: 8
The AI grading was,
Task Response: 8
Coherence & Cohesion: 8
Lexical Resource: 8
Grammatical Range & Accuracy: 8
What does AI grading of IELTS essays mean for students?
For students, the possibility of receiving instant feedback on the rules of language is incredibly useful. Students can learn about their writing flaws much faster than before.
Students who analyze this feedback can make great strides in improving their accuracy. Understanding that AI focuses on grammar accuracy and language patterns means that a student can prioritize practicing these skills.
In spite of this, IELTS students should understand the current limitations of AI in evaluating the task requirements for writing task 2, especially concerning Task Response. See the example above.
Students need to balance improving their usage of language with maintaining their unique voice. Depending on algorithms for creative and independent thinking will significantly hinder their personal development.
What does AI grading of IELTS essays mean for teachers?
For teachers, as more educational institutions and testing agencies embrace AI, we can expect a rise in its use for grading IELTS task 2 essays.
AI is extremely beneficial for conducting initial language assessments in language accuracy.
Why spend so much time and effort grading and giving feedback on a student's language usage when a quick copy and paste into an AI grammar checker can give a more thorough, accurate and instant assessment?
On a personal level, when I grade students' essays, my first step is to use AI for checking grammar and language. It's reliable, accurate, saves time, and excuses me from embarrassing myself because of my poor knowledge of punctuation.
Taking advantage of the current technology allows teachers to focus more on IELTS criteria that need human judgment.
This freed up time allows teachers to concentrate on providing personalized feedback, which AI is currently unable to do, particularly regarding task response and coherence.
And finally...
As AI becomes more involved in assessing IELTS writing task 2 essays and creating examples, it's essential for students and teachers to take notice.
AI is not yet capable of generating authentic IELTS task 2 writing sample essays at different band scores, as it hasn't evolved enough to replicate human language errors.
When it comes to grading IELTS essays, AI is a perfect, precise, and time saving resource for both students and teachers in terms of English language usage and the application of language rules.
However, Ai has not sufficiently evolved to consider the creativity of each piece of writing and recognize instances where human emotional intelligence is essential.
The future of IELTS task 2 writing assessment, enhanced by AI technology, will eventually get there. At the moment students and teachers should be aware of the great benefits of AI grading of IELTS essays but be wary of sources that make false claims about grading with the intention of making money.
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