MEFELO

A: All high school students in Türkiye are eligible to participate. However, each school must have a minimum of two participants. Native English speakers are not eligible, as the competition is intended for students learning English as a foreign language.

A: In MEFELO, a native speaker is defined as someone who acquired English naturally as a child in their country of birth, rather than learning it later as a foreign language (following the Britannica definition). Native English speakers are not eligible to participate. According to Kachru’s (1985) model, only students from the Expanding Circle—where English is taught as a foreign language—are eligible for MEFELO.

A: There is no maximum limit; however, each high school must nominate at least two participants since teams for the final event are comprised of two members.

A: MEFELO’25 participants receive several exclusive benefits, including:

(i) Certificate of Attendance – All participants, regardless of their score, will receive an official certificate.
(ii) Detailed Proficiency Report – A comprehensive evaluation of their English proficiency, sent to their registered email.

Furthermore, MEFELO’25 sponsors offer special opportunities:

(iii) Burlington V-Test – Free English language proficiency test with a detailed CEFR report assessing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
(iv) IB GLOBAL – A partially funded 1-week language course in the UK for two high-scoring participants who were not shortlisted for the MEFELO’25 Final (applicants must cover their own visa, flights, and accommodation).
(v) OWLYPIA – 50 voucher codes available on a first-come, first-served basis for schools registering for The Intellectuals’ Challenge (OWLYS: ages 15–18).
(vi) LEARN & LODGE – A 15% discount on language education abroad services for all MEFELO’25 participants.
(vii) EDUVISIT – A 10% discount on language education abroad services for all MEFELO’25 participants.

A: Each school’s overall score is determined by averaging the top two student scores. The top three (3) schools with the highest average scores advance to the Final. This process ensures fair evaluation for all schools, regardless of the total number of nominees. Therefore, the minimum requirement is two participants per school, while there is no maximum limit.

A: Only the top three schools will advance to the Final, each represented by a team of two students.

A: Registrations are accepted exclusively via the “Register Now!” button on the MEFELO website, which directs you to the BILETINO registration form. Each registration is for an individual applicant representing their school.

A: MEFELO’25 uses the BILETINO registration system to safeguard participant data and ensure a smooth, reliable registration process. This trusted platform helps prevent potential issues during registration, providing an extra layer of security and efficiency for all applicants.

A: Yes. Teachers, families, and friends of registered applicants are welcome to attend the MEFELO’25 Final at MEFTEK, Istanbul, on 31 May 2025. Even those not nominated for the Final will receive invitations to attend as part of the audience.

A: Yes. Participants are responsible for covering their own transportation and accommodation expenses.

A: The (Intralingual) Translation section in the MEFELO final evaluates finalists’ ability to rephrase and paraphrase a given text within English while maintaining its meaning and communicative function. This involves restructuring sentences and using different vocabulary without altering the intended message. The section assesses linguistic flexibility, comprehension, and the ability to convey ideas effectively in diverse ways.

A: Visit https://mefelo.org/regulations/ for all the details.