Terms and Conditions
1. About Us
These Terms and Conditions govern the relationship between:
LS Oxford Language Academy, LDA
Rua do Santuário N.º 46
Arões São Romão
4820-762 Fafe
Portugal
Email: info@ls-oxford.de
Websites:
("Language Society Oxford", "LSO", "we", "our", or "us")
and the parent, guardian or customer booking a programme ("Customer").
2. Our Programmes
Language Society Oxford provides online educational programmes for children and young people.
Programmes may include:
Children
Highly Gifted
Young Athletes
Workshops
Guest Speaker Sessions
Music Sessions
Special Events
Classes are delivered online, primarily through Zoom.
Language Society Oxford reserves the right to appoint substitute teachers, guest speakers and external specialists where appropriate.
2.1 Nature of the Services
Language Society Oxford provides educational enrichment programmes designed to support language development, communication skills, international understanding and personal growth.
Our programmes are intended to complement, rather than replace, formal schooling.
Language Society Oxford is not:
a school;
a childcare provider;
an examination preparation provider;
a regulated educational institution; or
a provider of accredited qualifications unless explicitly stated.
Participation in a programme does not guarantee any particular educational outcome, language level, examination result, sporting achievement or academic success.
The benefit of participation will vary according to the age, attendance, engagement and individual circumstances of each participant.
2.2 Nature of the Programme
Language Society Oxford provides a programme and community experience rather than a guaranteed number of teaching hours with a specific teacher.
While Language Society Oxford will make every reasonable effort to provide continuity, we do not guarantee:
a particular teacher;
a particular guest speaker;
a particular class composition;
a particular class size;
a particular lesson date; or
a particular schedule.
Language Society Oxford's obligation is to provide the educational programme purchased by the customer and not a specific teacher, speaker or timetable.
3. Enrolment
A booking becomes binding once:
the registration process has been completed; and
payment has been received or agreed.
Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Language Society Oxford reserves the right to refuse enrolment where a programme is unsuitable for a participant or where places are no longer available.
4. Term Structure and Attendance
Language Society Oxford operates on a term basis.
Each term consists of:
9 scheduled lessons
5 terms per calendar year
Families enrol one term at a time.
Enrolment is for the complete term and not for individual lessons.
No refunds, credits or replacement lessons will be provided for sessions missed by a participant due to:
illness
holidays
sporting commitments
school activities
personal scheduling conflicts
technical issues on the participant's side
Families are responsible for ensuring that students have:
a suitable device
internet access
access to Zoom
a suitable learning environment
Participation in a lesson constitutes attendance regardless of the amount of time spent in the lesson.
Technical Requirements
Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring that participants have access to suitable hardware, software, internet connectivity and a learning environment appropriate for participation in online lessons.
Language Society Oxford shall not be responsible for missed lessons, interruptions or reduced participation resulting from technical difficulties on the participant's side.
5. Teacher Availability, Class Changes and Rescheduling
Language Society Oxford will make every reasonable effort to deliver all scheduled lessons as advertised. However, from time to time changes may be necessary due to teacher illness, emergencies, travel commitments, operational requirements or circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
5.1 Teacher Absence
If a scheduled lesson cannot take place because a teacher is unavailable, Language Society Oxford will normally add an additional lesson at the end of the term so that students continue to receive the full programme.
Where it is not reasonably possible to add an additional lesson, Language Society Oxford reserves the right to:
provide a suitable substitute teacher;
place students in another suitable class of a similar age, level or programme;
reschedule the lesson to another date; or
move the lesson to a Sunday following consultation with parents.
Language Society Oxford's obligation is to provide the educational programme purchased by the customer and not to provide a specific teacher on a specific date.
5.2 Alternative Classes
Where space is available, students may be invited to attend another class that Language Society Oxford considers appropriate for their age, level and programme.
Attendance in an alternative class shall be deemed fulfilment of the relevant lesson and no additional lesson, refund or credit shall be due.
Language Society Oxford reserves the right to combine groups temporarily where this is educationally appropriate and operationally necessary.
5.3 Class Placement
Language Society Oxford reserves the right to determine and adjust class placement based on:
age;
language level;
educational needs;
programme suitability;
group dynamics; and
available places.
Class names, teachers and group compositions may change from term to term or during a term where necessary.
5.4 Changes to Lesson Days and Times
Lessons are normally delivered on Saturdays.
However, Language Society Oxford reserves the right to make reasonable changes to lesson dates, times and schedules where required.
This may include moving a lesson to a Sunday where this is necessary to ensure programme delivery.
Where possible, parents will be informed in advance.
5.5 Reduced Class Sizes
Language Society Oxford aims to provide small, interactive classes.
Where attendance is significantly lower than expected, the duration of a lesson may be adjusted.
If fewer than five students attend a scheduled two-hour lesson, Language Society Oxford reserves the right to shorten the lesson while maintaining the educational objectives of the session.
Such adjustments shall not constitute cancellation of the lesson and shall not give rise to any refund, replacement lesson or compensation.
5.6 Guest Speakers and Specialist Sessions
Some programmes include guest speakers, Oxford professors, researchers, journalists, coaches, athletes or other specialists.
While Language Society Oxford will make every reasonable effort to provide advertised guest speakers, specific speakers cannot be guaranteed.
Language Society Oxford reserves the right to replace guest speakers with suitable alternatives where necessary.
5.7 Programme Delivery
Language Society Oxford's obligation is to deliver the educational programme purchased by the customer.
Language Society Oxford does not guarantee:
a particular teacher;
a particular guest speaker;
a particular class composition;
a minimum class size;
a specific lesson date;
a specific lesson time; or
a specific online platform.
Reasonable substitutions and adjustments may be made where necessary to ensure continued delivery of the programme.
6. Fees, Payments and Refunds
6.1 Programme Fees and Partner Programmes
Programme fees are published on the Language Society Oxford website and may be updated from time to time.
The fee paid covers participation in the relevant term and programme selected during enrolment.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices are inclusive of applicable taxes.
Language Society Oxford may offer programmes, scholarships or discounts through partner organisations, including sporting bodies, tournament organisers, schools and educational partners.
Additional eligibility requirements, conditions or participation criteria may apply to such programmes.
Language Society Oxford reserves the right to verify eligibility and withdraw access where eligibility requirements are not met.
6.2 Payment
A place is only confirmed once payment has been received or an alternative payment arrangement has been agreed in writing by Language Society Oxford.
Language Society Oxford reserves the right to cancel a booking where payment is not received by the specified deadline.
6.3 Missed Lessons
No refunds, credits or replacement lessons will be provided where a participant misses a lesson due to:
illness;
holidays;
sporting commitments;
school activities;
personal scheduling conflicts;
technical issues on the participant's side; or
any other reason outside the control of Language Society Oxford.
The purchased service is participation in a term programme and not attendance at any individual lesson.
6.4 Cancellation by Parents
Parents may cancel future enrolments at any time.
However, once a term has commenced, programme fees are non-refundable except where required by law.
Failure to attend lessons does not entitle a participant to a refund.
6.5 Withdrawal Before the Start of a Term
Where a parent wishes to withdraw before the first lesson of a term, Language Society Oxford may, at its sole discretion:
provide a full refund;
provide a partial refund;
provide a credit towards a future term; or
retain an administration fee.
Any such arrangement shall be determined on a case-by-case basis.
6.6 Cancellation by Language Society Oxford
Where Language Society Oxford cancels an entire programme before the start of a term and no suitable alternative can be offered, any fees paid for the affected term will be refunded in full.
Where Language Society Oxford provides:
a substitute teacher;
a rescheduled lesson;
an alternative suitable class; or
an additional lesson at the end of the term,
no refund shall be due.
6.7 Discounts, Scholarships and Promotional Offers
Scholarships, discounts, promotional codes and special offers:
cannot be exchanged for cash;
are non-transferable unless expressly stated otherwise;
may be withdrawn where terms have been breached.
Language Society Oxford reserves the right to amend or withdraw promotional offers at any time.
6.8 Young Athletes Scholarships
Where scholarships or programme places are awarded through partner organisations, including tournament organisers, sporting bodies or educational partners, additional eligibility criteria may apply.
Language Society Oxford reserves the right to verify eligibility and withdraw scholarship places where information provided is inaccurate or misleading.
7. Student Conduct, Recordings and Intellectual Property
7.1 Respectful Participation
Language Society Oxford is committed to creating a safe, welcoming and enjoyable learning environment for all participants.
Students are expected to behave respectfully towards:
teachers;
guest speakers;
staff;
fellow students; and
parents participating in classes.
Bullying, harassment, discrimination, inappropriate language, disruptive behaviour or repeated interference with lessons will not be tolerated.
7.2 Parent Participation
For programmes where parental participation is encouraged or required, parents are expected to support a positive learning environment.
Parents must not:
disrupt lessons;
interfere with teaching;
behave in a disrespectful manner towards teachers, staff or other participants; or
record lessons without permission.
Language Society Oxford reserves the right to remove a participant or parent from a session where behaviour is considered inappropriate.
7.3 Removal from a Programme
Language Society Oxford reserves the right to suspend or permanently remove a participant from a programme where behaviour:
repeatedly disrupts lessons;
negatively impacts the experience of other participants;
breaches these Terms and Conditions; or
creates a safeguarding concern.
In such circumstances, no refund shall be payable.
7.4 Recordings by Participants
To protect the privacy of children, teachers and other participants, customers and participants may not:
record lessons;
take screenshots;
photograph lessons;
distribute lesson content;
share Zoom links; or
share lesson recordings
without the prior written consent of Language Society Oxford.
7.5 Recordings by Language Society Oxford
Language Society Oxford may occasionally create recordings, screenshots, photographs or short video clips during lessons for:
safeguarding purposes;
quality assurance;
staff training;
educational purposes; or
marketing and promotional activities.
Where identifiable images, recordings or video clips of children are used for promotional purposes, appropriate parental consent will be obtained in advance.
Parents may withdraw consent at any time by contacting Language Society Oxford in writing.
Withdrawal of consent will not affect material already published prior to the withdrawal request.
Lessons are generally not recorded for participant catch-up purposes.
Language Society Oxford is under no obligation to provide recordings of missed lessons, replacement recordings or copies of class sessions to participants or parents.
7.6 Guest Speakers and Special Sessions
Some programmes include guest speakers, Oxford professors, researchers, journalists, athletes, coaches and other specialists.
Participants may ask questions and engage in discussions during such sessions.
All intellectual property rights relating to presentations, materials and content provided by guest speakers remain the property of the respective speaker or rights holder.
Recording, reproduction or distribution of such content is prohibited without permission.
7.7 Intellectual Property
All materials provided by Language Society Oxford, including but not limited to:
lesson materials;
worksheets;
presentations;
recordings;
videos;
written content;
logos;
branding;
website content; and
educational resources
remain the intellectual property of Language Society Oxford or the relevant rights holder.
Such materials may be used solely for personal educational purposes.
They may not be reproduced, distributed, published, sold or shared without prior written permission.
7.8 Use of Online Platforms
Participants are responsible for using Zoom and any other online platforms in a safe and appropriate manner.
Participants must not:
share meeting links with third parties;
permit unauthorised individuals to attend classes;
use inappropriate usernames, profile images or backgrounds; or
engage in conduct that may compromise the safety or security of other participants.
Language Society Oxford reserves the right to remove any participant who breaches these requirements.
7.9 Safeguarding
Language Society Oxford takes safeguarding seriously and reserves the right to take any action considered necessary to protect the welfare, safety and wellbeing of participants.
This may include:
removing participants from sessions;
contacting parents or guardians;
reporting concerns to relevant authorities where required by law; or
implementing additional safeguarding measures.
8. Limitation of Liability
Language Society Oxford shall be liable without limitation where liability arises from:
death or personal injury caused by negligence;
fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation;
any matter for which liability cannot be excluded under applicable law.
Subject to the above, Language Society Oxford's total liability for any claim arising out of or in connection with its services shall be limited to the amount paid by the customer for the relevant term.
Language Society Oxford shall not be liable for:
indirect or consequential losses;
loss of opportunity;
loss of profits;
loss of data;
loss resulting from interruption of internet services;
technical failures outside our reasonable control;
participant failure to access classes due to equipment or connectivity issues.
Language Society Oxford does not guarantee any particular educational outcome, language level, examination result, sporting achievement or academic success.
9. Force Majeure
Language Society Oxford shall not be responsible for any delay, interruption or failure to perform its obligations where such delay, interruption or failure arises from circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to:
illness;
injury;
internet outages;
platform failures;
power outages;
natural disasters;
pandemics;
government restrictions;
strikes;
travel disruptions;
severe weather; or
any other unforeseen event beyond our reasonable control.
Where possible, Language Society Oxford will use reasonable efforts to provide alternative arrangements.
No compensation shall be payable in such circumstances.
10. Data Protection
Language Society Oxford processes personal data in accordance with:
the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR);
applicable Portuguese data protection legislation; and
our Privacy Policy.
Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring that information provided to Language Society Oxford is accurate and up to date.
By enrolling a participant, the customer confirms that they have authority to provide the participant's information.
Further information regarding the collection, processing and storage of personal data can be found in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.
11. Communications
Language Society Oxford may communicate with parents and guardians via:
email;
telephone;
WhatsApp;
Zoom;
website announcements; and
other reasonable communication channels.
Parents are responsible for ensuring that Language Society Oxford has current contact information.
Notices sent to the most recent contact details provided shall be deemed received.
12. Changes to Programmes and Terms
Language Society Oxford reserves the right to:
modify programme content;
modify class structures;
change teachers;
change class names;
amend schedules;
update prices;
introduce new programmes; and
amend these Terms and Conditions.
Updated Terms and Conditions will be published on our website.
Continued participation following publication of updated terms shall constitute acceptance of those changes.
13. Severability
If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
The invalid provision shall be replaced, where possible, with a valid provision that most closely reflects the original intent.
14. Entire Agreement
These Terms and Conditions, together with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, constitute the entire agreement between Language Society Oxford and the customer.
No verbal statement, representation or promise shall form part of the agreement unless confirmed in writing.
15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Portugal.
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Portuguese courts, except where mandatory consumer protection laws provide otherwise.
Consumers residing within the European Union may also benefit from any mandatory rights available under the laws of their country of residence.
16. Contact Information
LS Oxford Language Academy, LDA
Rua do Santuário N.º 46
Arões São Romão
4820-762 Fafe
Portugal
Email:info@ls-oxford.de
Websites: