Development and validation of the HKT-PE(J): A standardized assessment for English learning difficulties

English learning difficulties (ELD) are prevalent among Chinese students learning English as a second language (ESL), yet few standardized assessment measures are available to support early identification and intervention. This study developed and validated the Hong Kong Test of English Reading and Writing for Junior Primary School Students (Primary 2 and 3) (HKT‑PE(J)), a standardized assessment designed to evaluate English literacy and related cognitive‑linguistic skills among Chinese ESL learners in Grades 2–3. The HKT‑PE(J) comprises seven measures assessing phonological awareness, rapid naming, morphological awareness, vocabulary knowledge, orthographic knowledge, word reading, and word spelling. The normative sample consisted of 568 Chinese ESL students aged 7–9 years recruited from 18 primary schools in Hong Kong. Results demonstrated good to excellent reliability across all measures. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a theoretically coherent two‑factor structure comprising phonological and semantic components, consistent with the Lexical Quality Hypothesis. Convergent validity was supported through significant associations between HKT‑PE(J) performance and teacher‑rated literacy‑related learning difficulties observed in classroom settings. Criterion validity was demonstrated by the assessment’s ability to differentiate students with and without ELD, with students identified as having ELD performing significantly worse across all literacy and cognitive‑linguistic measures. Collectively, the findings provide strong evidence of the reliability and validity of the HKT‑PE(J) as a culturally relevant, locally normed assessment of English reading and writing abilities among Chinese ESL learners. The HKT‑PE(J) offers teachers and psychologists a practical tool for the early identification of students who may require targeted intervention and further educational support.