The present study adapted the abbreviated version of Swanson-Cognitive Processing Test (S-CPT) (Swanson, 1996) to be used in Hong Kong. The S-CPT, a North American standardised dynamic working memory assessment, was used to measure 215 students' cognitive ability from four primary schools Hong Kong. The abbreviated S-CPT had five subtests of verbal and visuospatial tasks, which were suggested by Swanson as suitable for individual administration on students above 8 years old. The five S-CPT subtests were adapted and translated into Cantonese in order to suit the Hong Kong context and to minimise the effect of participants' language ability on their performance in the assessment. Students were individually administered the adapted versions of the S-CPT. The adapted English version was administered to students from English-medium schools whereas the adapted Cantonese version administered to students from Chinese-medium schools. The obtained data was Rasch analysed using the Partial Credit Model (Masters, 1982). Two subtests were discovered to have disordered categories during the testing period and the categories in these subtests were collapsed to improve the categories structure, and hence, the measurement scale. Fit measures and reliability estimates for both the English adapted and Cantonese adapted S-CPT showed acceptable values to the Partial Credit Model, indicating that the adapted S-CPT was a valid and reliable measure of cognitive constructs of students within the four schools in Hong Kong.

Empirical Research Background: Recent waves of Fullbright and other charity foundations‘ sponsored American English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) integration into tertiary module teaching and learning in Asian countries, has raised concerns whether the ETAs are welcomed by students. Empirical Research Aims: The present study discusses the development and piloting of an instrument to evaluate students‘ perspectives of ETAs‘ role in module teaching and learning in a tertiary context in Hong Kong. Empirical Research Sample: Participants were 153 students from modules that involved ETAs, ranging from first to third year students of four year undergraduate programmes. Empirical Research Method: Students were asked to rate their agreement to 20 statements related to ETAs‘ role in and out of classroom situations on a 4-point category. Empirical Research RASCH: Rasch analysis was used to determine the fit and reliability of the items and the performance of the category structures. Empirical Research Results: Adequate item and person separations were found for all items except for two. Repeated analysis without these items showed improvements in item and person fit and separations. Individual item category structures were generally found to fulfill Linacre‘s (2004) eight guidelines for well performing categories. Empirical Research Conclusions: The resulting 18-item tool is suitable for future evaluations of ETA‘s role in module teaching and learning in tertiary context.