TOLES - The World's Leading English Exam for Lawyers, Law Students and Legal Translators
Syllabus and Materials
TOLES Higher Examination syllabus
Introduction
TOLES means Test of Legal English Skills. There are three levels in the TOLES series. The TOLES Higher examination is level 2.
The TOLES examination series is structured as follows:
- TOLES Advanced (Level 3)
- TOLES Higher (Level 2)
- TOLES Foundation (Level 1)
The TOLES examinations differ from general English exams as they specifically measure an individual’s legal English skills. The exams are designed to measure proficiency in authentic rather than artificial legal contexts. For this reason there is a strong focus upon practical and authentic tasks and upon candidates having a good grasp of terminology from the outset.
About the TOLES Higher examination
The TOLES Higher examination is a logical progression from the TOLES Foundation examination. TOLES Higher is based upon familiarity with and active use of the vocabulary introduced and tested at TOLES Foundation level. The examination also tests new skills that are appropriate at this intermediate level of learning legal English. TOLES Higher continues to encourage the ethos of learner independence that runs throughout the TOLES series. It continues a step-by-step approach to studying and testing and promotes the skills and knowledge necessary to go on to the most demanding level of legal English at TOLES Advanced level. The examination has a strong focus upon the language of written contracts and accurate letter writing in that it is based on consultations with law firms as to candidates’ true needs in the workplace. It also provides a solid grounding for a study of law in a UK or US university law faculty.
The TOLES Higher examination is modern and up-to-date. It takes account of the significant language reforms in the English legal system and the legal profession’s continued movement towards clearer use of English as recommended on Legal Practice Courses at all major UK universities and legal training centres.
Requirements
The TOLES Higher examination requires little or no knowledge of English law or American law. A basic awareness of the use of common law as opposed to a civil code would be an advantage in that it gives candidates a useful overview, but it is by no means necessary. Knowledge of law is not tested at any stage but knowledge of legal vocabulary is fundamental. TOLES Higher specifically requires an active knowledge of, and a sensitivity to use of register in, the following general areas:
- the language of discussing the Legal Profession and the Legal System
- the language of Contract law
- the language of Business and Company law
- the language of Banking and Finance
- the language of the law of Tort
- the language of Employment law
- the language of Property/real estate
- the language of Intellectual Property law
- the language of European Union law
- the vocabulary of written contracts
- the vocabulary of oral contracts
- ability to read texts on legal topics in all major areas of law
- collocation in all areas of legal communication
- preposition in all areas of legal communication
- modern letter writing
- the style of written contracts
- listening for gist, comprehension and specific vocabulary
Grammatical accuracy within a legal context is assessed throughout the examination. The examination does not test grammar in a more general way.
Examination questions
Paper 1
Reading and writing: (90 minutes)
The reading and writing examination is divided into six sections. Candidates are required to be able to deal with the following styles of question in the examination:
Section 1: Read ten sentences with a one-word gap and identify the correct collocation from the four provided to fill the gap. (10 points)
Section 2: Read a short text on a legal topic with ten one-word gaps. Suggest an answer from knowledge to fill the gap. No word options are provided. (10 points)
Section 3: Read a short clause from a contract with five one-word gaps. Fill the gaps with an appropriate word from the options provided.(5 points)
Section 4: Re-write the ten underlined parts of a letter in a more appropriate way. Write from knowledge. No options are provided. (20 points)
Section 5: Read ten sentences with a one-word gap and identify the correct preposition from the four provided to fill the gap. (10 points)
Section 6: Read a short extract from a contract. Provide a plain English explanation for the five words or phrases that are underlined. (10 points)
Paper 2
Listening: (30 minutes)
Section 1: Listen to a short discourse and answer ten comprehension questions.
Section 2: Listen to a short discourse and fill in the ten gaps in the text by listening for the missing words.
Section 3: Listen to a short discourse and answer the ten true or false comprehension questions.
Study materials
The following materials are all of use for candidates who are preparing for TOLES Higher:
The Lawyer’s English Language Coursebook
ISBN: 978-0-9540714-3-1
Author: Catherine Mason and Rosemary Atkins.
Publisher: Global Legal English (available 2007)
Description: A specialised coursebook in preparation for TOLES Foundation and TOLES Higher. Contains Audio CD and answer key.
An Essential A-Z of Business Law (second edition)
ISBN: 9780953765324
Publisher: Cambridge Law Studio
Description. A vocabulary workbook giving clear and precise definitions of essential legal vocabulary with exercises to follow. Contains answer key.