Office for Research - NIE

Bilingualism may do more than help people communicate across cultures. A new NTU study led by NIE’s Dr Adam John Privitera will examine how bilingual ability may protect cognitive function and influence career development among Singaporeans aged 40 to 60. By studying language proficiency, usage and cognitive control, the research aims to better understand how bilingualism shapes focus, emotional regulation and long-term socio-economic outcomes in a rapidly changing world. https://www.ntu.edu.sg/nie/news-events/news/detail/how-does-bilingualism--protect-the-brain--and-influence-career-development--ntu-conducts-a-study-involving-thousands

How Does Bilingualism ‘Protect the Brain’ and Influence Career Development? NTU Conducts a Study Involving Thousands Proficiency in bilingualism is increasingly seen as a way to help slow cognitive decline, but many Singaporeans report that their mother tongue weakens after entering the workforce, and studies show adult English reading skills are below OECD averages.

SG teachers: Join the NIE ELL Seminar 2026! Explore GenAI & literacy, humanising feedback, Singlish + Standard English, literature teaching & assessment. Connect, learn, and bring ideas back to your classroom. Limited spaces, Register early! https://www.ntu.edu.sg/nie/ell-seminar-2026/

How can education better prepare students to improve the world? Join us at NIE for an exclusive talk by Professor Fernando Reimers (Harvard University) as he explores why meaningful educational change requires systemic thinking, not just curriculum tweaks. Drawing on global challenges like AI and climate change, Professor Reimers will discuss how education systems can build relevant skills, strengthen teacher capacity and remain both future-ready and equitable.

🗓 11 May 2026
🕒 3.00 – 4.00 PM
📍 NIE

🔗 Register here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=SJPOFSq-K0aPwOF2WpsgSvUftkFlaLZKg0cKMdGe7jhURFpBSzM0QUEzWTdWMDJKU0dPTTc4MFIyWC4u&route=shortur

What really drives a child to learn without constant reminders?

NIE Director Professor Liu Woon Chia shares that self-motivation is not built through pressure, but through a child’s sense of competence, autonomy and support. When children are given meaningful choices, encouraged to focus on effort rather than just outcomes, and guided within a safe and nurturing environment, they begin to take ownership of their learning. Over time, this builds confidence, resilience and a genuine desire to learn that extends beyond the classroom.

Find out more via this link: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/nie/news-events/news/detail/how-to-nurture-a-self-motivated-child

How to nurture a self-motivated child? Research shows that such kids have three basic psychological needs met: competence, autonomy and relatedness

Wondering what educators can do to stem the decline in young people’s reading? Join Associate Professor Chin Ee Loh from NIE and Professor Laura Scholes from the Australian Catholic University as they consider prevailing myths about reading and offer policy and pedagogical strategies for engaged reading.

Register at: 29 Apr 2026 - Decline in Volitional Reading: Ways Forward – Fill out form https://forms.office.com/r/hc2GHU4znA

Download the position paper by clicking on this link: https://repository.nie.edu.sg/server/api/core/bitstreams/930a87fa-03fc-4094-8de6-3bf016d6b0e3/content

What if learning worked better when you moved?

A new NIE study led by Assoc Prof Teo Wei Peng is exploring whether physically active learning, widely used in early childhood classrooms, can help adult learners stay attentive, engaged and mentally sharp after a long day at work. The research will track 84 participants through memory and cognitive tests, wearable data and classroom activities that bring movement into the lesson, showing how a more human-centred approach may support learning in the AI era.

教育学院研究 融入肢体活动或有利于成人学习 A new research initiative exploring whether “physically active learning” (PAL), commonly used in early childhood education, can benefit adult learners.

What does it take to be ranked among the world’s top 10 for education? 🌍

📚 The National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore has secured an impressive 8th place globally for Education in the QS World University Rankings by Subject – affirming its excellence in teacher education, impactful research and global influence in shaping educational practice and policy. This recognition reflects NIE’s continued commitment to innovation and quality in education.

NIE NTU Singapore ranked 8th for Education in the QS World University Rankings 2026 by subject The NIE NTU, Singapore, has achieved an impressive 8th place in the Education category of the 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject.

Join the REI Seminar: Dual Language Tandem Teaching: Building Biliteracy, Intercultural Responsibility, and Eco-Social Awareness Through Children's Literature. Click here to register: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/T2muZxuCrz?origin=lprLink

📆 21 April 2026 | 🕒 3.30pm–4.30pm | 📍 NIE2-01-TR215

Is the screen‑time debate distracting us from the real classroom challenges? Professor John Wang argues that focusing solely on screen limits overlooks deeper issues like engagement quality, teaching strategies, and purposeful tech use that truly drive student learning.

Why the screen time debate misses the real classroom problem When students are engaged, screens become tools. When they are bored, screens are an escape.