A Critical Review of Generative AI’s Impacts on Second Language Writing

Cao Mengyue

School of English Studies, Xi'an International Studies University

Abstract：

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has emerged as a strong power to reshape second language (L2) writing education. This critical literature review systematically synthesizes recent research to explore GenAI’s impacts on L2 writing, aiming to examine the field’s dominant theoretical and methodological trends, and identify key research gaps and future directions. The review critically discusses the two most prevalent theoretical frameworks in the domain: Sociocultural Theory and the Human-AI Interactive Negotiation Competence (HAINC) model, while analyzing quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods approaches adopted in current studies. Findings show that there are key research gaps in this field and propose some suggestions for future research directions. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the field, providing valuable insights for educators and researchers navigating the intersection of GenAI and L2 writing.

Key Words：

generative AI; second language writing; critical literature review; writing competence