TERMS & CONDITIONS:

Last updated: February 18, 2024

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 a set number of hours of instructional European Portuguese language classes for adults over a specific number of weeks.
    • Session = A half-year term in a school, typically lasting 15 to 18 weeks. For Portugal in Vancouver we typically offer one session in the Fall and one session 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 a 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
    • All of our services and products are 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 typically held once a week.
    • A session typically lasts 18 weeks or 18 classes.
    • If a session is 18 classes, then a course is 36 hours of instructional European Portuguese language classes for adults.
    • All times listed are in Vancouver/Pacific Time.

• • Fees and Payment
    • 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 (CAD) handling fee plus 5% GST.
    • Payment in full is required to complete your registration for the placement test and/or course.  If your payment is not received by the deadline provided in your confirmation email, then you will not be registered for the placement test and/or 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 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. No refunds. No exchanges.
    • The only circumstance where a refund will be issued is if a course or session is canceled by Portugal in Vancouver with the following caveats:
      • If you paid a Placement Test Fee, it will not be refunded as it is used to compensate our workers for services provided. The Placement Test fee is not transferrable nor applicable towards future sessions and/or purchases from Portugal in Vancouver.
      • If you paid a Handling Fee, it will not be refunded. The Handling Fee is not applicable nor transferrable towards future sessions and/or purchases from Portugal in Vancouver.
    • If a refund is granted, it will be issued using the original payment method.
    • There are no refunds nor exchanges if an individual two (2) hour class has low attendance or is cancelled.
    • There are no refunds nor exchanges if a student stops coming to class and as such the student cannot apply nor transfer their fee(s) to others or to future sessions and/or future purchases from Portugal in Vancouver.

• • Course Materials: 
    • Textbooks are not included in the class 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 have, supply, and/or obtain their own:
      • stationery supplies to take notes;
      • computer;
      • web camera;
      • headphones (if required);
      • microphone; and
      • internet service.

• • Course Conditions
    • Students may be required to take an assessment and/or placement test to place them in the class that is the most appropriate for their level.
    • The result of the assessment test is not binding – the teacher may reevaluate students in the first few weeks of classes and transfer the student to another class.
    • 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 (CAD) 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 (CAD) + 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 or headphones
      • 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 session is full, we encourage you to add your name to the waitlist. In some instances, we may add another class. 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.