Metacognition at Regents Pattaya: Building Independent, Confident Learners

“What did you learn today?”

It’s a question parents often ask at the end of the school day. And the answer? “I’m not sure… nothing much.”

The reality is, your child has learned plenty—they just might not yet know how to reflect on their learning. That’s where metacognition comes in.

What is metacognition?

Metacognition is all about thinking about your own thinking. It’s the ability to understand how you learn, identify which strategies work best for you, and take ownership of your learning journey.

At Regents, we know that when students develop metacognitive skills, they become more confident and independent learners—able to plan, monitor, and evaluate their progress effectively. These are skills that last a lifetime.

Three essential aspects of metacognition

1. Self-awareness
Self-awareness helps students recognise their goals, strengths, and areas for improvement. It encourages them to reflect on what drives them and assess how ready they are to take on new challenges.

2. Self-regulation
Self-regulation means being able to manage your own learning. If a strategy isn’t working, metacognitive learners can adjust and try something new. This adaptability builds resilience and turns mistakes into opportunities for growth.

3. Knowledge transfer
Real learning shines when students can apply what they know in unfamiliar situations. By linking ideas across subjects and tackling real-world problems, students deepen their understanding and learn to use knowledge creatively and meaningfully.

Why metacognition matters at Regents

As part of Nord Anglia Education, Regents International School Pattaya benefits from global collaborations that bring world-class research into our classrooms. In 2024, Nord Anglia partnered with Boston College and Harvard’s Project Zero to launch the Metacognition Research Project, exploring how metacognitive skills help students become confident, creative thinkers and problem-solvers in a rapidly changing world.

A study across 17 Nord Anglia schools surveyed more than 2,429 students and 389 teachers. The findings were clear:

• Over half of students agreed metacognition improves their thinking and helps them succeed in school and beyond.

• 84% said they had become better at recognising their strengths.

• 75% felt more independent.

Teachers strongly agreed too, with over 80% saying metacognition enhances learning and prepares students for life beyond the classroom.

How we embed metacognition at Regents

Metacognitive thinking is woven into our curriculum through our Learner Ambitions, also known as the 6Cs—compassion, creativity, commitment, critical thinking, curiosity, and collaboration.

To help students develop and reflect on these skills, we use Thinking Routines, inspired by research from Harvard’s Project Zero. These routines encourage students to pause, reflect, and make their thinking visible. Sudents might use “See, Think, Wonder”—observing closely, interpreting what they notice, and asking thoughtful questions to deepen understanding across all subjects.

This process isn’t graded. Instead, it gives students the freedom to explore how they learn, practise essential metacognitive skills, and build habits that support lifelong learning.

Preparing students for the future

At Regents International School Pattaya, we empower students to take charge of their learning, think critically, and apply their skills to every challenge, both in school and beyond. By fostering metacognitive thinking, we prepare our students for a future where they can confidently shape their own paths and achieve their ambitions.

Find out more about the Curriculum Offer at Regents International School Pattaya.