STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCES OF USING DEEPL IN EFL WRITING CLASSROOMS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32682/jeell.v13i1.109Keywords:
EFL writing, DeepL, students’ experiences, systematic reviewAbstract
In education, Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies significantly assist students in their language learning. One of the technologies is DeepL. Thus, it is essential to identify the factors shaping students’ positive experiences, as well as the challenges they face, while utilizing DeepL, specifically for their English writing activities. To complete the study’s goal, the writer used the Google Scholar database to explore fifteen peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2020 until 2025. The findings of this study could be divided into five themes: (1) DeepL gives accurate translation results, (2) DeepL improves users’ ability in writing, (3) DeepL offers various alternative words or synonyms, (4) DeepL causes students over reliance on the tool, and (5) DeepL struggles with translating specialized items. Each theme’s discussions provide information about relevant studies, offer practical suggestions (e.g. expanding the scope of literature review by incorporating a wider range of academic databases and source types) to address the limitations, and suggest future research directions (e.g. investigating the long-term effects of DeepL on students’ writing skills and methods teachers can employ to reduce students’ dependency on the tool).
References
Alharbi, W. (2023). The use and abuse of artificial intelligence-enabled machine translation in the EFL classroom: An exploratory study. Journal of Education and E-Learning Research, 10(4), 689–701. https://doi.org/10.20448/jeelr.v10i4.5091 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20448/jeelr.v10i4.5091
Alisha, F., Safitri, N., & Santoso, I. (2019). Students’ difficulties in writing EFL. Professional Journal of English Education, 2(1), 20–25. https://ofertaformativa.com.mx/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Writing-difficulties.pdf
AlTwijri, L., & Alghizzi, T. M. (2024). Investigating the integration of artificial intelligence in English as foreign language classes for enhancing learners’ affective factors: A systematic review. Heliyon, 10(10), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31053 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31053
Amaniarsih, D. S. (2025). A comparative study of Google Translate and DeepL in translating Indonesian to English among informatics engineering students at Universitas Potensi Utama Medan. Journal of English and English Education, 5(1), 106–113. https://doi.org/10.47662/ejeee.v5i1.1192
Amanova, A. K., Butabayeva, L. A., Abayeva, G. A., Umirbekova, A. N., Abildina, S. K., & Makhmetova, A. A. (2025). A systematic review of the implementation of STEAM education in schools. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 21(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/15894 DOI: https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/15894
Aromataris, E., & Pearson, A. (2014). The systematic review: An overview. American Journal of Nursing, 114(3), 53–58. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0000444496.24228.2c DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0000444496.24228.2c
Asmara, D. S. M., & Kembaren, F. R. B. (2024). Student’s perception towards the use of DeepL Translator in writing thesis or journal for English education students. IJLECR (International Journal of Language Education and Cultural Review), 10(1), 117–126. https://doi.org/10.21009/ijlecr.v10i1.47937 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21009/ijlecr.v10i1.47937
Bangdiwala, S. I. (2024). The importance of systematic reviews. International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion, 31(3), 347–349. https://doi.org/10.1080/17457300.2024.2388484 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17457300.2024.2388484
Bedenlier, S., Bond, M., Buntins, K., Zawacki-Richter, O., & Kerres, M. (2020). Facilitating student engagement through educational technology in higher education: A systematic review in the field of arts and humanities. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 36(4), 126–150. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.5477 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.5477
Bojadjiev, M., Krliu, V., Pavlova, S., & Mileva, I. (2024). The advantages of Google Scholar Ranking. International Journal of English Language Education, 12(1), 76. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijele.v12i1.21766 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5296/ijele.v12i1.21766
Bunga, E. L. M., & Katemba, C. V. (2024). Comparing translation quality: Google translate vs Deepl for foreign language to English. EDUSAINTEK: Jurnal Pendidikan, Sains Dan Teknologi, 11(3), 1147–1171. https://doi.org/10.47668/edusaintek.v11i3.1264 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47668/edusaintek.v11i3.1264
Chang, P., Chen, P., & Lai, L.-L. (2022). Recursive editing with Google Translate: The impact on writing and error correction. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 37(7), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2022.2147192 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2022.2147192
Chompurach, W. (2021). “Please let me use Google Translate”: Thai EFL students’ behavior and attitudes toward Google Translate use in English writing. English Language Teaching, 14(12), 23–35. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v14n12p23 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v14n12p23
Cotelli Kureth, S., Delormes Benites, A., Haller, M., Noghrechi, H., & Steele, E. (2023). “I looked it up in DeepL”: Machine translation and digital tools in the language classroom. Human Translation and Natural Language Processing Towards a New Consensus?, 81–96. https://doi.org/10.30687/978-88-6969-762-3/006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30687/978-88-6969-762-3/006
DeepL SE. (2017). About DeepL. DeepL. https://www.deepl.com/en/publisher
Fadhillah, E. A., & Irawati, T. (2024). The use of translation tool in argumentative writing process. JEELL (Journal of English Education, Linguistics, and Literature), 10(2), 98–114. https://doi.org/10.32682/jeell.v10i2.3500
Febriani, T. N. (2022). “Writing is challenging”: Factors contributing to undergraduate students’ difficulties in writing English essays. Erudita: Journal of English Language Teaching, 2(1), 83–93. https://doi.org/10.28918/erudita.v2i1.5441 DOI: https://doi.org/10.28918/erudita.v2i1.5441
Fernandes, F. A., Rodrigues, C. S. C., Teixeira, E. N., & Werner, C. M. L. (2023). Immersive Learning Frameworks: A Systematic Literature Review. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, 16(5), 736–747. https://doi.org/10.1109/TLT.2023.3242553 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TLT.2023.3242553
Fitria, T. N. (2021). Artificial intelligence (AI) in education: Using AI tools for teaching and learning process. Proceeding Seminar Nasional & Call for Paper, 4(1), 134–147. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357447234%0AArtificial
Fitriani, N., Sabarniati, S., & Safuni, N. (2021). Is English academic writing as simple as using translation tool? Error analysis on students’ abstract. The Journal of English Literacy Education: The Teaching and Learning of English as a Foreign Language, 8(1), 55–67. https://doi.org/10.36706/jele.v8i1.13607 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36706/jele.v8i1.13607
Guo, L., & Keles, S. (2025). A systematic review of studies with parent-involved interventions for children with specific learning disabilities. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 40(4), 755–772. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2024.2421112 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2024.2421112
Hariroh, F., Zainuddin, & Hamdani, B. (2025). Analysis of the use of the DeepL application as an alternative media for translating English students’ academic assignments. PROJECT (Professional Journal of English Education), 8(2), 507–515. http://journal.ikipsiliwangi.ac.id/index.php/project/article/view/26880
Harry, A. (2023). Role of AI in education. Injuruty: Interdiciplinary Journal and Humanity, 2(3), 260–268. https://radensa.ru/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Role_of_AI_in_Education.pdf DOI: https://doi.org/10.58631/injurity.v2i3.52
Inderawati, R., Hayati, R., Marlina, R., Novarita, Awalludin, & Anam, S. (2022). Argumentative essay and vocabulary enrichment of English students by utilizing Google Translate. English Community Journal, 6(2), 131–141. https://jurnal.um-palembang.ac.id/englishcommunity/article/view/5523
Kavanagh, B. (2023). Neural machine translation in an EGAP course: Does it make a difference? Data Science in Collaboration, 6, 68–77. https://doi.org/10.15068/0002008374
Kembaren, F. R. W. br., Pardamean, Hamdany, S., & Alqawwiy, T. A. (2024). Students’ perception of using translate tools in their assignment. Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, 8(2), 27375–27383. https://jptam.org/index.php/jptam/article/view/16838
Kirana, A. (2024). The impact of using DeepL translator on EFL students’ writing. In Repository UIN Sumatera Utara. UIN Sumatera Utara.
Kirana, A., Kembaren, F. R. W., & Hz, B. I. R. (2024). The influence of DeepL Translator on EFL students’ writing. Jurnal Ilmu Sosial, Humaniora Dan Seni (JISHS), 2(4), 746–753. https://doi.org/10.62379/jishs.v3i1.2059 DOI: https://doi.org/10.62379/jishs.v3i1.2059
Laksana, K. N., & Komara, C. (2024). Indonesian EFL students’ perceptions of DeepL machine translation tool: Utilization, advantages, and disadvantages. Journal of Language and Literature Studies, 4(2), 256–276. https://doi.org/10.36312/jolls.v4i2.1931 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36312/jolls.v4i2.1931
Liang, L. (2025). The impact of using DeepL Translator on Chinese EFL students ’ story writing. Journal of China Computer-Assisted Language Learning, 5(1), 56–93. https://doi.org/10.1515/jccall-2024-0009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jccall-2024-0009
Liu, L. (2016). Using generic inductive approach in qualitative educational research: A case study analysis. Journal of Education and Learning, 5(2), 129–135. https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v5n2p129 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v5n2p129
Mali, Y. C. G. (2023). Narratives of two Indonesian lecturers about challenges of writing an undergraduate EFL thesis. Journal of Foreign Language Teaching and Learning, 8(1), 42–60. https://doi.org/10.18196/ftl.v8i1.17551 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18196/ftl.v8i1.17551
Mali, Y. C. G. (2024). Theoretical perspectives of integrating technology into English language learning. Elsya : Journal of English Language Studies, 6(2), 151–160. https://doi.org/10.31849/elsya.v6i2.17925 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31849/elsya.v6i2.17925
Mazher, K. M. (2025). A semi-automated systematic review of literature reviews in construction engineering and management research. Frontiers in Built Environment, 11, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2025.1582475 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2025.1582475
Mirdad, K., Daeli, O. P. M., Septiani, N., Ekawati, A., & Rusilowati, U. (2024). Optimizing student engagement and performance using AI-enabled educational tools. Journal of Computer Science and Technology Application (CORISINTA), 1(1), 53–60. https://journal.corisinta.org/index.php/corisinta/ DOI: https://doi.org/10.33050/corisinta.v1i1.22
Muamaroh, Mukti, V. C., & Haryanti, D. (2020). The process and problems of EFL learners in English writing: A case study in international class. Ethical Lingua: Journal of Language Teaching and Literature, 7(2), 405–418. https://doi.org/10.30605/25409190.215 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30605/25409190.215
Omar, L. I., & Salih, A. A. (2024). Systematic review of English/Arabic machine translation postediting: Implications for AI application in translation research and pedagogy. Informatics, 11(23), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics11020023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics11020023
Phan, T. N. Le. (2023). Students’ perceptions of the AI technology application in English writing classes. Proceedings of the AsiaCALL International Conference, 4, 45–62. https://doi.org/10.54855/paic.2344 DOI: https://doi.org/10.54855/paic.2344
Polakova, P., & Klimova, B. (2023). Using DeepL translator in learning English as an applied foreign language – An empirical pilot study. Heliyon, 9(8), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18595 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18595
Pollock, A., & Berge, E. (2018). How to do a systematic review. International Journal of Stroke, 13(2), 138–156. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747493017743796 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1747493017743796
Raja, R., & Nagasubramani, P. C. (2018). Impact of modern technology in education. Journal of Applied and Advanced Research, 3(1), 33–35. https://doi.org/10.21839/jaar.2018.v3S1.165 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21839/jaar.2018.v3iS1.165
Rosli, N. F., Rahman, N. A. A., & Goh, Y. S. (2024). A systematic literature review of project-based learning on English writing skills. E-Bangi: Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 21(2), 329–340. https://doi.org/10.17576/ebangi.2024.2102.26 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17576/ebangi.2024.2102.26
Sakamoto, K. (2022). Japanese university students’ reflections on machine translation used as part of an English presentation activity. CiNii, 53, 33–45. https://doi.org/10.24795/nb053_033-045
Setiawan, P. (2024). Unraveling translation machine: Grammatical analysis on translation of article abstract by Google Translate and DeepL [State Islamic Iinstitute (IAIN) of Kediri]. In IAIN Kediri. https://etheses.iainkediri.ac.id:80/id/eprint/15445
Sidiq, F. A., & Syafryadin. (2024). Students’ perception of using DeepL for translating English text. Eltin Journal: Journal of English Language Teaching in Indonesia, 12(1), 139–148. http://www.e-journal.stkipsiliwangi.ac.id/index.php/eltin/article/view/4685
Sujarwo. (2020). Students’ perceptions of using machine translation tools in the EFL classroom. Al-Lisan: Journal Bahasa, 5(2), 230–241. https://doi.org/10.30603/al.v6i2.1333 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30603/al.v6i2.1333
Sumakul, D. T. Y. G., Hamied, F. A., & Sukyadi, D. (2022). Students’ perceptions of the use of AI in a writing class. 67th TEFLIN International Virtual Conference & the 9th ICOELT 2021 (TEFLIN ICOELT 2021), 624, 52–57. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.220201.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.220201.009
Sun, R. (2024). Evaluating the translation accuracy of ChatGPT and DeepL through the lens of implied subjects. Arab World English Journal for Translation & Literary Studies, 8(4), 41–53. https://doi.org/10.24093/awejtls/vol8no4.5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24093/awejtls/vol8no4.5
Suryani, I., & Fithriani, R. (2024). Artificial intelligence tools in writing class: Students’ preferences and lectures’ perceptions. Eltin Journal: Journal of English Language Teaching in Indonesia, 12(1), 167–176. https://e-journal.stkipsiliwangi.ac.id/index.php/eltin/article/view/4701
Taye, T., & Mengesha, M. (2024). Identifying and analyzing common English writing challenges among regular undergraduate students. Heliyon, 10(17), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36876 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36876
Telaumbanua, Y. A., Marpaung, A., Gulo, C. P. D., Waruwu, D. K. W., Zalukhu, E., & Zai, N. P. (2024). Analysis of two translation applications: Why is DeepL Translate more accurate than Google Translate? Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Engineering Applications (JAIEA), 4(1), 82–87. https://doi.org/10.59934/jaiea.v4i1.560 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59934/jaiea.v4i1.560
Teng, Y., & Wang, X. (2021). The effect of two educational technology tools on student engagement in Chinese EFL courses. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 18(27), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-021-00263-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-021-00263-0
Thomas, D. R. (2006). A general inductive approach for analyzing qualitative evaluation data. American Journal of Evaluation, 27(2), 237–246. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098214005283748 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1098214005283748
Winarti, H., Kholid, M. R., & Zakiyah. (2025). Exploring EFL students’ attitudes of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for writing English thesis proposals in higher education. Jayapangus Press, 8(2), 87–100. https://jayapanguspress.penerbit.org/index.php/cetta/article/view/4076 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37329/cetta.v8i2.4076
Yasunari, F. (2012). The effects of L1 on L2 writing and translation: A case study. Journal of Modern Languages, 22, 32–44. https://adab.um.edu.my/index.php/JML/article/view/3309/1364
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Aubreylia Visca Payungallo (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

