Although many students—especially those for whom English is not their primary language—can be reluctant to offer feedback to their peers because they lack confidence in their own writing ability, a study in the Journal of Second Language Writing indicates that the true benefit in peer review may be for those who give feedback, rather than for those who receive it.  The study suggests that giving feedback, rather than receiving it, can lead to greater gains in language proficiency.

[Lundstrom, K., & Baker, W. (2009). To give is better than to receive: The benefits of peer review to the reviewer’s own writing. Journal of Second Language Writing, 18, 30–43.]