General Terms and Conditions

I. GENERAL

1. Hereafter, any use of the words “CLI”. “school”, “center”, “us”, “we”, or “our” refers to Centro Linguistico Internacional, and any use of the words “client” or “student” refers to the contracting party.

2. Validity
The general terms and conditions are valid for all business transactions with our clients. The client accepts the general terms and conditions by using our services, and these terms and conditions are valid for the whole period of the business relation. They are also valid for future business transactions or relations. The initial or later occurring invalidity of one or more provisions of the General Terms and Conditions does not affect the validity of the other provisions. In that case, a valid provision shall be deemed agreed that is closest to the legal and economic purpose. The English version of our web site, brochure, or another printed material takes precedence over such material in any other language. We reserve the right to change program descriptions, prices, or other matters relating to the school or its programs without notice.

3. Applicable law and jurisdiction
The contractual relation and other business relations between the client and us are exclusively subject to Guatemalan laws excluding international sales law. Subject to admissibility, the exclusive jurisdiction for all disputes for both parties will be Antigua, Guatemala.

II. LANGUAGE TEACHING

1. Individual courses 
Individual courses can be arranged from Monday to Friday between 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Postponements have to be announced in the school office by 12:00 p.m. of the previous business day (Monday to Saturday). Otherwise, the lesson will be charged. In case of a delay of 30 minutes or more without previous consultation with the school during our office hours, the lessons cannot be guaranteed. A minimum booking of 10 hours weekly is required. There is no maximum. 

2. Group classes 
Group classes are arranged upon request, and beginners’ group classes begin the first Monday of every month, subject to demand. The maximum number of participants in group classes is limited to 6 students. On average there are 4 people per group. We reserve the right to change the course program and/or reduce the number of hours if there are fewer than 3 participants within one group. There are no refunds for missed classes.

3. Special Programs 
Special programs are arranged as individual courses, except that certain courses entail extra activities or limitation on meeting days and times due to discounts involved. Descriptions of special programs can be found in our brochure and on our web page. 

4. Teachers 
Teachers are assigned to each client by the school. Teachers may be changed as often as liked upon request, and the wishes of the student for a particular teacher are taken into consideration. There is no general entitlement to be taught by the desired person, however, and requests for change must be made at least one day in advance.

5. Length of lessons 
The length of each lesson, or class hour, is 55 minutes. For studies of four hours per day or more, there is one 30-minute break at the halfway point.

6. National Holidays 
The following days are National Holidays in Guatemala in 2010. CLI honors these holidays in two separate ways. We will not be closed on these days but students who wish to study will be asked to pay slightly more per hour for their lessons (see below). 

Sunday, 4 April 2010 (Easter Sunday)
Saturday, 1 May 2010 (International Labour Day)
Friday, 25 June 2010 (Teacher’s Day)
Sunday, 25 July 2010 (Antigua holiday)
Wednesday, 20 October 2010 (Revolution Day)
Monday ,1 November 2010 (All-Saints) 

CLI Guatemala is closed the following days; no lessons or meals will be given at the school, in the homestay or student house: 

Friday, 1 January 2010
Thursday, 1 April 2010 (afternoon only)
Friday, 2 April 2010
Saturday, 3 April 2010
Wednesday, 15 September 2010 (National Independence Day)
Friday, 24 December 2010 (afternoon only)
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Friday, 31 December 2010 (afternoon only)

The school closing will NOT affect any lodging or transportation arrangements.

Any students who study during this time will NOT receive a discount or refund. However, if a student wishes to have their full amount of lessons, they must pay an additional $3.00 per hour of study for the hours on the holiday date. For days in which the school is closed only a half-day, afternoon hours will be moved to morning hours at no extra cost. Also, students may make-up their lessons throughout the week prior or after the holiday, however, the additional fee is required to do this as well. By law our workers are required to receive paid holidays or they must be paid double for their work on these days. Although some schools in Antigua do not ask their students to pay extra on holidays, they also do not pay their employees. CLI feels the cost is minimal and it is necessary so we not only abide by the law, but also so our employees feel more appreciated. This additional cost was added to all reservations on or after the 1st of November 2006. We thank you for your understanding in this matter.

7. Enrollment
Enrollment is effected by submissions of a completed registration form. For minors, the signature of their parents or guardian is compulsory.

III. PAYMENT FOR SERVICES
1. Registration fee 
There is no registration fee. 

2. Method of payment 
The teaching fees are payable upon arrival at the school in US Dollars, Guatemalan Quetzals, and also US Travelers Checks (Only American Express issued traveler’s checks, in US dollars and in denominations of $100 or less are accepted!) Fees may also be paid for in advance, and payments made by credit card via Pay Pal and wire transfer MUST be made in advance. The invoice total has to be paid at the latest by the beginning of the course. 

3. Rescission 
The rescission of contract without penalty (less any bank transfer/Pay Pal fees – if paid 45 days or less prior to arrival, the Pay Pal fees are refundable - and apartment/special program/group class deposits) is only possible within three days after the course starts. In case of rescission during this time, the school withholds $50 of the monies paid as a processing fee (waived if cancellation is made the first day of lessons/lodging or prior to arrival), plus any bank transfer/Pay Pal fees and apartment/special program/group class deposits. Any discounts and free lessons are voided, and the costs for such will be subtracted from the amount of any monies refunded. In all cases for rescission after the student has arrived at the school, it is necessary to inform an administrative office employee AND email his or her intent to cancel toinfo@spanishcontact.com. Three days after the beginning of the course, a rescission is not possible anymore except in special cases and solely at our discretion. However, the booked lessons are not restricted to a certain person and can be transferred to a third party at any time that is not currently enrolled at the school. Any refunds will be processed and sent to the student electronically via Pay Pal within 3-6 weeks. The processing time usually is completed in a little as one week, however in certain and rare circumstances (due to economic or bank issues) it may take longer than 6 weeks. If such is the case, the student to whom a refund is due will be notified well in advance, with an exact date that the refund will be issued.

4. Transportation 
If there is a change in status in airport pickup, in that it is no longer required, we must be notified at least three days prior to scheduled arrival as indicated on the student’s submitted reservation form, otherwise the fee cannot be deducted from the student’s total costs. If airport transportation was included for free, in such case the normal fee will be added to the invoice total. In case of delayed or cancelled flights we may, at our discretion, waive this fee provided the school is notified via telephone before the driver has departed to the airport. 

5. Discounts 
All participants who study at the school for 5 weeks or longer will receive free airport pickup from Guatemala City’s Aurora International airport. A discount of $5 per week on any course fee (Semester and Summer programs excluded) plus airport pickup will be given for those participating and paying for more than 10 weeks. All former students receive a 10% tuition fee discount. With multiple bookings we may offer a discount. We offer corporate rates for companies that would like to train several employees at the same time or within one calendar year. Any discounts and/or free offers are contingent on the duration of study as indicated on your reservation form and payment in full within 3 days of your first day of lessons or lodging (whichever comes first). All fees (tuition, lodging, etc.) are to be paid in the school office. For those students who choose to pay weekly,all costs for any particular week needs to be paid the beginning of each week, on Monday. Please note that we only accept cash and traveler’s checks at the school, but we do take either Guatemalan quetzals or US dollars, and you can exchange traveler’s checks (Again, only American Express issued traveler’s checks, in US dollars and in denominations of $100 or less are accepted!) at a local bank. Course continuations may be made and paid for with credit card or e-check via Pay Pal, provided we are notified one week prior to continuation (advanced notice may be waived if the student already has an existing Pay Pal account.

6. Deposit
There is no deposit required for individual, private lessons. For apartments and houses, corporate and group classes, and certain special programs (Fun and Sun and All-inclusive), a nonrefundable $100 deposit is required. Deposits may be made by wire transfer, or via Pay Pal to  payments@spanishinantigua.com.

7. Forms of payment 
Payment for all fees may be made in the following ways: 
-Cash (US dollars or Quetzals) 
-Traveler’s checks (American Express issued, US $100 or less denomination checks only) 
-Bank transfer (one week before arrival, and one week before extension; with a $40.00 transfer fee plus any other bank fees assigned by the sender’s financial institution) 
-Pay Pal 
Credit card or e-check via Pay Pal (one week before arrival, for a 3% surcharge) Upon making the payment, Pay Pal will automatically send you a receipt via email. Please make sure that you print out this receipt, and bring it with you to the school. It is not essential, but will greatly help to avoid any potential problems. 

8. Validity of prices
The prices given in the brochure and web page are valid until 12/2008. Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. The student has the option of changing their program or lodging with no penalty if the price for any product or service increases before the start of their lessons. If the price is changed once a student starts studying with us, the lower price will be maintained for the duration of original agreement. 

9. VAT and taxes 
The school’s course programs are free of VAT and tax. Prices for accommodation in home stays and at the school include all taxes. Prices for other accommodation do not include taxes.

10. Bank transfer information 
Students are responsible for all costs involving payment by bank transfer, on both ends of the transaction. If payment is made via bank transfer, we MUST be notified via email or letter of the sending date, amount, and name of sender, on the same day the transaction was made. All bank transfers must be completed at least one week prior to arrival.

11. Visa application
Students who need a visa for traveling to Guatemala and require a letter of invitation will have to pay a deposit of $100 in addition to any other deposit monies before the school sends them the letter of invitation. For a letter of enrollment, payment in full must be received prior to the letter being sent to the student.

IV. LIABILITY

1. The student accepts liability for any damages he or she may cause in the school, in the house, or to the property of the landlord. The school, or any person working for the school, cannot be made liable for the loss of personal property or injury of person.

2. Leisure activities
Participation in leisure activities is done at the student’s own risk. The school or any person working for the school cannot be made liable for accidents or damage to personal property. The center recommends that the student makes arrangements to have appropriate medical coverage during their stay, in particular health, accident, and personal liability insurance. The school can provide contact information for various insurance agencies, although does not recommend any particular one. 

3. Underage participants
CLI and the host families and school cannot accept responsibility for under age participants. Responsibility is limited to inform the parents or guardians immediately if behavior of the particular minor is giving reason to be worried. Accommodation in a youth hostel, hotel, apartment, home stay, or any other form of lodging arranged by the school for under age participants requires the written agreement of their parents or guardians. Children and teenagers 18 years of age or younger unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian require a notarized letter of consent to study at CLI, and to live in school-arranged lodging. The letter should be faxed to us a minimum of one week prior to arrival, and the original letter needs to be submitted to the school office upon arrival.

4. Agreement
The program laid out on the web site/brochure will be the agreed course. The school and organizers reserve the right to make suitable alterations to achieve better services. If the program cannot be completed due to Acts of God (force majeure), costs incurred up to that point may be retained or invoiced. An appropriate failure on the part of the organizers for any other reason will result in full refund of all payments made. No further claims will be considered.

5. By submitting the reservation form, the student becomes a contracting party of the school. The school reserves the right to make any non-detrimental program changes. Any verbal arrangement is valid only if confirmed in writing. The school reserves the right to correct printing and calculation errors. All information provided in this list is valid as of 3/2008.