EDUCATION
Nanyang Technological University
Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Multilingual Studies, Minor in Psychology
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Aug 2016 -
May 2020
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Honours with Highest Distinction, CGPA: 4.95/5.00
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Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal 2020: Top graduate in Linguistics and Multilingual Studies
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Koh Boon Hwee Scholars Award 2020: Academic performance, strong leadership ability, and potential for contributing to society
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School Book Prize 2017 and 2018: Top student in Linguistics and Multilingual Studies
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Dean’s List 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020: Top 5% of cohort
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Nanyang Scholarship: Academic excellence, leadership potential, and outstanding co-curricular records
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Final Year Project: Effects of music attrition on English-Mandarin Chinese bilinguals’ lexical tone perception and production in a foreign language
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Relevant coursework: Child Language, Developmental Psychology, Language and Communication Disorders, Language and Music, Language and the Brain, Learning Environments for Young Children, Multilingualism Across the Lifespan, Psycholinguistics, Second Language Acquisition
​RESEARCH WORK
Publications
Project Officer
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Aug 2020 - Present
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Toh, X.R., Tan, S.H., Wong, G., Lau, F., & Wong, F.C.K. (2023). Enduring musician advantage among former musicians in prosodic pitch perception. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 2657. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-29733-3 [Impact factor 4.997]
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Toh, X.R., Lau, F., & Wong, F.C.K. (2022). Individual differences in nonnative lexical tone perception: Effects of tone language repertoire and musical experience. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 940363. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.940363 [Impact factor 4.232]
Presentations
Research Assistant
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Jun 2018 -
Dec 2019
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Toh, X.R., Lau, F., Toh, W., Wong, F.C.K., & Chan, A.H.D. (2024, Jul 10 – 13). Relationship between implicit learning and Chinese reading is mediated by orthographic awareness [Poster presentation]. 31st Annual Meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Lau, F., Toh, W., Toh, X.R., Wong, F.C.K., & Chan, A.H.D. (2024, Feb 29 – Mar 1). Attentional bias to Pinyin vs. characters is moderated by orthographic awareness in Chinese [Poster presentation]. 8th Annual Conference for the Association for Reading and Writing in Asia, Jeju, South Korea.
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Lau, F., Toh, X.R., Toh, W., Chan, A.H.D., & Wong, F.C.K. (2023, Jun 26 – 30). Cross-language relationships between reading proficiency and language component skills in young English-Chinese bilinguals: A cross-sectional study [Conference session]. 14th International Symposium on Bilingualism, Sydney, Australia.
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Lau, F., & Toh, X.R. (2023, Mar 30). Novel visual statistical learning task and its relation to Chinese orthographic awareness [Conference session]. International Symposium on Cognition and Neuroscience, Singapore.
WORK EXPERIENCES
VOLUNTARY WORK
NTU, Neurolinguistics & Cognitive Science Lab
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Convened 2 symposiums and 2 seminars with overseas experts in linguistics, cognition, and neuroscience.
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Delivered oral and poster presentations at 3 in-person international research conferences on English-Chinese bilingualism and biliteracy.
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Published 2 top-tier journal articles as first author on the cross-domain effects of language and music.
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Co-wrote 2 grant call proposals for pioneering intervention studies; clinching a $758k and $663k award.
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Designed novel tasks and recruited participants for MOE-funded experiments to examine reading and writing development among over 300 young bilinguals.
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Managed lab's grant progress reports, budget expenditure, and human resource hiring process.
Project Officer
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Aug 2020 - Present
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NTU, Neurolinguistics and Cognitive Science Lab
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Collected data for a Mandarin Chinese character learning experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of 6 different learning methodologies among 120 early bilinguals with and without dyslexia.
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Composed summaries of speeches at international research conferences for publication purposes.
Research Assistant
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Jun 2018 -
Dec 2019
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Dynamics Therapy Centre for Kids
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Facilitated speech therapy intervention in Alternative and Augmentative Communication including Picture Exchange Communication System and Key Word Signs for nonverbal children.
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Promoted occupational therapy with sensory integration for children with sensory processing issues.
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Conducted prompting and small group teaching using TEACCH, ABA, DIR Floortime, and ABI approaches among children aged 3 to 7 in the Early Intervention Programme and International School.
Intern Therapy and Teaching Assistant
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May 2019 -
Jul 2019
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Playeum Children’s Centre for Creativity
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Customised play experiences and creative workshops for 1,000 children aged 1 to 12 using Reggio Emilia approach to promote open-ended and self-directed learning.
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Coordinated professional development programmes to encourage 50 educators and parents to implement experiential learning in classroom and parenting activities.
Intern Playmaker
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Jun 2017 -
Jul 2017
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Autism Resource Centre
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Conducted group teaching using TEACCH and ABA approaches to prepare 9 6-year-old children with Autism Spectrum Disorder for mainstream schools.
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Developed lesson resources, visual supports, and social stories to achieve Individualised Education Programme goals.
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Analysed videos using antecedent-behaviour-consequence charts to escalate concerns to therapists.
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Facilitated class outings for applied learning activities and generalisation of new skills across settings.
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Wrote publicity emails and quarterly newsletter articles for 100 caregivers
Intern Early Intervention Teaching Assistant
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Jan 2016 -
May 2016
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VOLUNTARY WORK
Autism Advocacy
Ally for Autism Advocacy
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Apr 2020 - Present
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Blogged summaries of talks given by international autism experts and advocates.
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Recorded podcast interview on neurodiversity-affirming therapy approaches.
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Filmed video interview with Back to Basic Living Cafe on providing vocational training for autistic students.​
MINDS Woodlands Gardens School
Buddy for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
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Aug 2016 - Jul 2020
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Planned outings and weekly 3-hour sessions teaching life skills to enhance independence and social integration of 60 trainees aged 10 to 60.
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Conducted weekly live e-sessions on Zoom and curated toolkits with resources to continue providing enrichment for the trainees during the COVID-19 Circuit Breaker partial lockdown.
Dunman High School Senior High
Peer Tutor for Junior College Students
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Jan 2016 -
Jun 2016
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Created lesson resources for weekly 2-hour sessions to improve 5 junior college students’ English Language and Linguistics results by more than 3 grade jumps in GCE ‘A’ Levels examinations.
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Coached students in time management, organisation, and study techniques.
Stamford Primary School
Coordinator and Reader
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Jan 2014 –
Nov 2015
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Led weekly 1-hour storytelling sessions under National Library Board’s kidsREAD programme to cultivate literacy and creativity in 20 lower primary school students.
Peace Connect Neighbourhood Link
Mentor for Primary School Students
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Jan 2010 -
Nov 2013
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Spearheaded annual camps and weekly 1.5-hour tuition to strengthen results of 15 primary school students from disadvantaged families.
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Integrated phonics to refine phonological awareness of a student with dyslexia.
Future Problem Solving Programme International
Community Problem Solving Competition
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Feb 2011 -
Jun 2013
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Wrote a paper to examine Singapore’s food security and advocate a reduction in food waste.
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Organised 10 planting workshops and sold merchandise to raise $2,000 for Food Bank Singapore.
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Team achieved 3rd position at state level in 2012, and represented Singapore for the International Conference in the United States of America in 2013.
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
NTU Welfare Services Club
Duty Committee
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Aug 2016 -
Jul 2020
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Worked with a team of 8 volunteers to plan and execute weekly activities.
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Planned onsite booth during NTU’s Social Impact Week to raise $500 for beneficiaries, increase awareness of various causes, and recruit new volunteers.
Dunman High School Community Services Club
Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson
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Jan 2010 -
Nov 2015
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Collaborated with external organisations such as Mountbatten Community Club and Public Utilities Board to propose and deliver more than 5 community outreach projects.
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Oversaw recruitment of over 50 volunteers for the club via social media and open house events.
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Orchestrated a Values In Action Symposium to inculcate volunteerism and impart relevant service learning skills to more than 200 students across Singapore.
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Received Goh Chok Tong NextGen Outstanding Student Leader Award in 2015 for community service.
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Given People’s Association Youth Movement STAR Award in 2013 for service learning skills.
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Awarded DHS Co-Curricular Activities Service Award in 2013 and 2015 for student leadership.
SKILLS
IT
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Audacity.
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E-Prime.
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iMovie.
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Microsoft Office.
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Praat.
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SPSS.
Language
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Written and spoken English.
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Written and spoken Mandarin Chinese.