ESL student success: How free AI writing assistants helped me write better English?

[PeterP]

English is my second language, and writing essays used to take me twice as long as everyone else. Finding the right free AI writing assistants changed everything.

1. LanguageTool – This is my number one. Supports my native language too, but more importantly, it explains grammar rules instead of just fixing them. I've actually learned from my mistakes .

2. QuillBot – When my sentences sound awkward, I run them through QuillBot. The fluency mode makes them sound natural while keeping my meaning .

3. DeepL Write – Similar to QuillBot but with a different approach. Great for finding alternative phrasings when I'm stuck .

4. ChatGPT – I write a paragraph, then ask ChatGPT to suggest improvements. I compare the versions and learn from the differences .

5. Grammarly – The tone detector is so helpful. It tells me if my email sounds too aggressive or too casual .

6. Google Translate – Still use it for quick word checks, but DeepL is actually better for full sentences .

My English has improved so much just from using these tools intentionally. I'm not just getting corrections—I'm learning why things are wrong. If you're an international student, these free tools are worth their weight in gold.

 

[ThomasCher]

I see the difference between students who just want corrections and students who want to learn. Your approach – using these tools to understand WHY something is wrong – is exactly right.

A few thoughts on your list:

LanguageTool is indeed underrated. The fact that it explains grammar rules makes it a learning tool, not just a correction tool.

DeepL Write is newer but excellent for capturing nuance. Google Translate still struggles with idiom and tone.

For Kevin's question: If you want to improve grammar specifically, LanguageTool's explanations are unmatched. But combine it with QuillBot or DeepL to see how fluent speakers would phrase the same idea.