What is metacognition and why does it matter in teaching?

Choosing the right international school in Bangkok is about more than academics. Parents want to know: How will this school help my child grow into a confident, independent learner? At St Andrews International School Bangkok, the answer lies in metacognition, often described as “learning how to learn.”

You’ve probably had that familiar conversation after school: “What did you learn today?” And your child replies, “I don’t know. Nothing really.”

It’s not that they didn’t learn anything; it’s that they may not yet know how to think about their learning. Metacognition changes that. By helping students reflect on how they learn, recognise the strategies that work best for them, and apply knowledge in new situations, St Andrews equips children with the skills to succeed not just in the classroom, but in life.

What is metacognition?

Metacognition means “thinking about your thinking.” It’s the ability to understand how you learn, recognise what strategies work best for you, and take control of your own learning process. When students develop metacognitive skills, they become more confident and independent learners who can plan, monitor, and evaluate their progress effectively.

Ms Meg King, Year 2 Leader, explains: “Metacognition helps children pause and reflect. It’s not just about what they’ve learned, but how they’ve learned it, and that awareness is what builds independence.”

The three key elements of metacognition

Self-awareness

Self-awareness helps students understand their goals, strengths, and areas for growth. It allows them to reflect on what motivates them and identify how prepared they are to tackle new challenges.

Self-regulation

Self-regulation is the ability to take charge of one’s learning. If a strategy isn’t working, metacognitive learners can adapt and try a different approach. This flexibility builds resilience and helps them view mistakes as opportunities to improve rather than setbacks.

Knowledge transfer

True learning happens when students can apply what they know in new and unfamiliar situations. By connecting ideas across subjects and solving real-world problems, students deepen their understanding and strengthen their ability to use knowledge creatively and meaningfully.

Why metacognition matters for families 

In 2024, Nord Anglia Education partnered with Boston College and Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education to launch the Metacognition Research Project, inviting many schools, including St Andrews, to participate. This ongoing initiative features multiple research projects exploring different ways in which metacognitive skills can help students become confident, creative thinkers and problem-solvers in an ever-changing world. 

A baseline study on metacognition conducted by Boston College across 17 Nord Anglia schools between February and April 2024 surveyed 2,429 students from Years 3 to 9 and 389 teachers from early years through Year 13. 

The results showed strong support for metacognitive learning from the students: 

• Over 50% of the students agreed that it improves their thinking and helps them succeed both in and beyond school, reporting noticeable gains in creativity, collaboration, curiosity, and self-awareness.
  
  

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

• 75% felt more independent.
  
  

The teachers' responses were equally positive, with over 80% agreeing that metacognition enhances learning and prepares students for life beyond the classroom.