MEF English Language Olympics 2025 (MEFELO’25) Regulations

1. SCOPE

MEF English Language Olympics (MEFELO) is an English language competition organized by the English
Language Teaching Department at MEF University to promote foreign language awareness among
high school students. MEFELO’25 welcomes high school students from preparatory year to 12th grade
across Türkiye.

2. AIMS

1. To raise awareness of foreign languages.
2. To stimulate interest in the English language.
3. To emphasize the importance of language use for communicative purposes.

3. REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPANTS

3.1 Participating as Competitors

• All high schools worldwide are welcome to participate.
• Native speakers of English are not eligible to apply for MEFELO.
• The application fee for an individual applicant is 750 Turkish Lira (including VAT).
• Participants are responsible for covering their transportation and accommodation expenses.
• Applications will be accepted exclusively through the BILETINO registration form available on the MEFELO website.

3.2 Participating as an Audience

• Teachers, families, and friends of registered applicants are welcome to attend the MEFELO’25 Final, which will be held at MEF University in Istanbul on 31 May, 2025.
• Even if applicants are not nominated for the Final, they will still receive invitations to attend the event as members of the audience.

4. THE COMPETITION PROCEDURES

• Applicants will complete the registration process on the MEFELO website.
• Registered applicants will be invited to take the Preliminary Test of MEFELO, either at a partner high school in or around their area or at MEF University.
• Each registration is for an individual applicant representing their school in the competition.
• High Schools can nominate at least two applicants.
• Schools wishing to nominate additional applicants must pay the same application fee (i.e., 750 TL) for each nominee.
• Based on the outcomes of the Preliminary Test of MEFELO, only the top 3 schools with the highest scores will be entitled to participate in the Final.
• The top three regions of Türkiye (e.g., Mediterranean, Aegean, Southeast, etc.) with the highest overall scores will advance to the Final and compete for the championship.

5. KEY DATES

• Registration Due: 25 April, 2025.
• Preliminary Test of MEFELO: 3 May, 2025.
• Date and Venue of MEFELO Final: 31 May, Saturday, 2025 (MEF University, Istanbul)

6. CONTENT OF THE COMPETITION

• The language of the competition is English, including the rubric and instructions.
• Here are the materials you can start studying once you are nominated for the Final.
  • Vocabulary: https://www.vocabulary.com/lists/pzhdv5mw/essential-vocabulary-for-high-school-students
    Additional resource: Vocabulary for Academic English by David Porter.
  • Grammar: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/grammar
    Additional resource: Common Errors in English by Paul Hancock.
  • Translation: Paraphrasing quotes: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/academic-skills-kit/good-academic-practice/plagiarism/how-to-paraphrase
  • Speaking: Interpreting images and cartoons: https://www.milanicreative.com/
  • Listening: The Intern, the screenplay by Nancy Meyers: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2361509

7. EVALUATION CRITERIA

• Each major category will be evaluated on 20 points.
• The highest point possible is 100.

8. AWARDS

Note: The prizes will be awarded to both members of each team among the top three.

1. ACER Aspire Lite AL14-31P
2. Huewei Watch Fit 3
3. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Bluetooth

9. MASTER OF CEREMONY and JURY MEMBERS

• Joel Compton – MEF University (Master of Ceremony)
• Özgür Pala – Koç University (Jury Member)
• Deniz Barutçuoğlu – MEF University (Jury Member)

10. CONTACT DETAILS

MEF University. Huzur Mh., Maslak Ayazağa Cd. No: 4, 34396 Sarıyer/Istanbul.
Dr. Şükrü Nural, Founding Director of MEFELO
Department of English Language Education, Faculty of Education, MEF University, Istanbul

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (+90) 555 848 3778
Social media: @mefelo2025
Website: www.mefelo.org