Last updated: January 29, 2023

Please read these Terms and Conditions (“Terms”, “Terms and Conditions”) carefully before registering for the Online European Portuguese Language Class for Adults (the “Service”) provided by Portugal in Vancouver (“us”, “we”, or “our”).

Your purchase of the Service is conditioned on your acceptance and compliance with these Terms. These Terms apply to all those (i.e. students) who register for and purchase the Service. The terms “class,” “course,” and “session” are defined below and may be used interchangeably to describe the Service herein.

• • Definitions
    • Class = A group of students who are taught together regularly; an occasion when students meet with their teacher for instruction; a lesson. For Portugal in Vancouver that means a class is held  for two (2) hours once a week.
    • Course = A set of classes that study a particular subject. For Portugal in Vancouver that means 36 hours of instructional European Portuguese language classes for adults.
    • Session = A half-year term in a school, typically lasting 15 to 18 weeks. For Portugal in Vancouver we typically offer 18-week sessions; one in the Fall and one in the Spring.

If you wish to purchase the Service, you may be asked to supply certain information relevant to the Service including, without limitation, your name, email address, and age.

By registering for and purchasing the Service you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of the terms then do not register nor purchase the Service.

• • General Admission Requirements
    • Registrants must be at least 19 years of age.
    • We reserve the right to refuse to register an applicant or to expel a registrant whose actions disrupt the operation of a class/course/session.
    • We also reserve the right to refuse entrance to non-registered persons.
    • A placement test may be required to determine a student’s proficiency level.

• • Class/Course/Session cancellation and instructor substitution
    • Portugal in Vancouver reserves the right to cancel courses/sessions with low enrolment without liability.
    • If we do cancel an 18-week course or a session due to low enrolment, then we will make every effort to give you adequate notice and your course fee will be refunded.
    • Portugal in Vancouver reserves the right to cancel a class/course/session due to Force Majeure and without liability. A Force Majeure may be a personal illness, pandemics, fires, strikes, floods, acts of God or the Queen’s enemies, lawful acts of public authorities or delays or defaults caused by common carriers, which cannot reasonably be foreseen or provided against.
    • Portugal in Vancouver reserves the right to use substitute instructors without notice and without liability.

• • GST
    • This is a stand-alone course that is not part of a program’s curriculum and is subject to GST (five percent).
    • All non-credit courses are PST exempt.
    • Portugal in Vancouver’s GST number is 70230 1490 RT0001.

• • Duration
    • A class is two (2) hours long and is held once a week.
    • A course is 36 hours of instructional European Portuguese language classes for adults.
    • A session typically lasts  18 weeks.
    • All times listed are in Vancouver/Pacific Time.

• • Fees and Payments
    • All prices are subject to change without notice.
    • Payments will be received by bank e-transfer. For bank e-transfers you will need a bank account with a Canadian Financial institution.
    • One 18-week session is $460 (CAD) plus 5% GST if paying by bank e-transfer. For all other payment types and other currencies, there is a $25 handling fee plus 5% GST.
    • Payment in full is required to complete your registration.  If your payment is not received by the deadline provided in your confirmation email, then you will not be registered for the class/course/session.
    • Your payment is valid ONLY for the date(s) of the session in which you are registered and are non-transferrable.
    • If a placement (assessment) test is required, then a deposit of $75 (CAD) plus 5% GST for a total of $78.75 (CAD) must be paid before the deadline. The deposit will be applied to the course fee. This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable.

• • Refund Policy
    • All sales are final.
    • We do not give refunds nor exchanges except under the following circumstance:
      • If a course or session is canceled due to low enrolment then we will refund the course fee in full except if you underwent the Placement Test (Assessment). If you underwent the Placement Test, then only 75% of the Placement Test deposit will be refunded to you. The remaining 25% of the deposit is retained to compensate our workers for services provided.
    • Refunds will be issued by bank e-transfer.
    • Handling fees for payments not made by bank e-transfer and/or payments made in a different currency will not be refunded nor are they transferrable nor applicable towards future purchases.
    • There are no refunds nor exchanges if an individual two (2) hour class has low attendance or is cancelled.

• • Course Materials: 
    • Textbooks are not included in the course fees.
    • The cost of the textbook including any taxes, and shipping and handling fees will be paid for by the student.
    • Students can purchase their textbooks from Lidel.
    • Students are to supply their own stationery supplies to take notes.

• • Course Conditions
    • The result of the assessment test is not binding – the teacher may reevaluate students in the first few weeks of classes.
    • You may be placed in a class that has students who have completed previous sessions.
    • You may be placed in a class that is a continuation of a previous session which means the class may not start at Unit 1 of the textbook.
    • Students are responsible for purchasing their textbook and having it the first day the course begins.
    • Attendance begins to count on the day the course begins, and not when the student begins attending the course.
    • The student must email their teacher and info@portugalinvancouver.ca if they know they will be absent. Emails must be sent at a minimum of four (4) hours before the start of class.
    • The student’s attendance at 80% of classes is mandatory to receive a certificate of completion. A digital certificate of completion will be provided upon request.
    • A hard copy of the certificate of completion has an additional cost of $15 plus taxes and shipping fees.
    • The number of justified absences cannot exceed the number of classes attended.
    • If a student is absent from class, then the student is responsible for obtaining the class notes and homework from another classmate.
    • Based on your teacher’s availability, if you miss a class, then you may request to take a catch-up lesson with your teacher. For 2 hours of class missed, we suggest booking a 30-minute catch-up class at $40 + GST.
    • The assessment is done through direct observation in classes, homework, and a final exam and/or presentation.
    • No exceptional assessment period will be offered to the students.
    • New Beginner and Experience Beginner classes are taught in both English and Portuguese.
    • Advanced Beginner classes are taught in Portuguese.
    • The payment of the course fee guarantees enrolment but does not guarantee a place at the preferred schedule.
    • Schedules are subject to possible changes without previous warning.
    • Limited vacancies.

• • Technical Requirements for Online Classes
    • Students must possess or have access to the following items:
      • Email account
      • Computer (with system requirements to support Zoom)
      • Speakers
      • Microphone (or headphones/headset with a built-in microphone)
      • Webcam which must be on during the class
      • Reliable Internet connection
      • Download the Zoom app.

• • Waitlists
    • If a course or session is full, we encourage you to add your name to the waitlist. In some instances, we may add another course. We also use the waitlist to gauge interest in future course offerings.
    • If you’re on the waitlist, check your email frequently until the course begins. If space becomes available, you will receive an email from info@portugalinvancouver.ca giving everyone on the waitlist the same set time limit to register and pay for the course. During this time period, enrolment will be based on a first-come, first-served basis. The email will include instructions on how to register.

• • Tax Receipts
    • This course does not qualify for a tuition tax receipt; and thus, does not issue tax receipts. Only accredited post-secondary institutions are eligible to issue student tax receipts. Consult the Canada Revenue Agency guidelines for complete details.