The Test of Legal English Skills (TOLES) was recently held at the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU). A total of 25 candidates from Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) took the exam at the TOLES center with the most exam experience in the TRNC. The TOLES exam that has been held since 2012 through the collaboration of EMU Foreign Languages and English Preparatory School, EMU Faculty of Law and EMU-CEC provides candidates domestic and overseas job opportunities. The exam is taken by lawyers and translators working in the TRNC and Turkey. Like last year, lawyers from Turkey were amongst those taking the exam this year. According to TOLES Exam Coordinator Peril S. Emiroğluları, the success rate for TOLES exams is increasing each year.
Efide Kübra Özkale
Why did you favor TOLES? What is your aim whilst taking the exam?
The most important reason behind taking the exam was for me to see my level of Legal English. I think Legal English will contribute to my career.
What are your plans for after obtaining the TOLES Certificate? Could you touch upon the future goals you want to fulfill with this certificate?
In the future I want to carry out work in connection with overseas. I think that the TOLES certificate will help me do this. It is also a good certificate for strengthening my curriculum vitae.
What are your thoughts about EMU being the most experienced international TOLES exam center in the TRNC and the opportunity it provides?
This is a great opportunity provided to us by EMU. Whilst preparing for the exam, I noticed that there are candidates not only from TRNC but also from Turkey. Some candidates are lawyers and translators or from other universities. I believe that we are lucky to have such an opportunity.
Gülce Diren Kıratlı
Why did you favor TOLES? What is your aim whilst taking the exam?
Today, we live in a global world and I want to have a successful career just as much as the next person. Therefore I believe that a good command of Legal English is important. I believe that a TOLES Certificate will make a difference in my career. This is why I am taking the exam in order to obtain the certificate.
What are your plans for after obtaining the TOLES Certificate? Could you touch upon the future goals you want to fulfill with this certificate?
After obtaining the certificate, I plan to study at postgraduate level abroad. I think that such an adventure will put me in an advantageous position for my career.
What are your thoughts about EMU being the most experienced international TOLES exam center in the TRNC and the opportunity it provides?
Firstly I am lucky because very few universities in Turkey provide opportunities to take the TOLES Exam. At EMU I can sit the exam through my own means. Whilst many people come to take the exam from Turkey as an EMU student a can take the exam directly. Our academic staff do all they can to ensure that we are successful in the exam. Therefore, we are very lucky.
Hasan Hüseyin Halastar
Why did you favor TOLES? What is your aim whilst taking the exam?
As a Faculty of Law student whilst planning the future you can face indecisions. Whether planning an academic career or work in the field everyone has to reach a certain level of competency. When you obtain a TOLES Certificate you reach a certain sufficiency in English which will help indecisive students in both areas.
What are your plans for after obtaining the TOLES Certificate? Could you touch upon the future goals you want to fulfill with this certificate?
My goals are becoming clearer. After receiving the certificate I want to work at established law bureaus in Turkey. For a lawyer that wants to work in the field working at a well-established bureau is very important. These bureaus require English proficiency. With a TOLES Certificate I will have a chance to compete.
What are your thoughts about EMU being the most experienced international TOLES exam center in the TRNC and the opportunity it provides?
This is an opportunity. If you study at a Turkish university that doesn’t offer English education, you have to spend large amounts of money and time to compensate. The fact that EMU offers TOLES courses in addition to Legal English courses is a big advantage for us as the exam preparation process is incorporated into the curriculum. In this regard, we were privileged to be studying at EMU.
