EDUCATION
Nanyang Technological University
Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Multilingual Studies, Minor in Psychology
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
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
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
Aug 2020 - Present
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
Jun 2018 -
Dec 2019
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
May 2019 -
Jul 2019
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
Jun 2017 -
Jul 2017
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
Jan 2016 -
May 2016
VOLUNTARY WORK
Autism Advocacy
Ally for Autism Advocacy
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
