Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before booking Italian language courses in Bologna.
1. Timetable, and refunds in the event that the minimum number of participants is not reached
The Standard Italian Language course is for 4 hours a day and the Intensive Italian Language course for 6 hours a day. In the event that the course does not have the minimum number of students (4), the student will be offered a full refund of the cost of the course, less any bank charges, or the alternative of continuing to study in a smaller class but for a reduced number of hours of lessons a day (see the details published on the internet site of the school).
The school not being responsible for providing accommodation, even for accommodation booked through the school, Madrelingua S.r.l. will not reimburse any costs relating to accommodation in the event that the student chooses the course refund option rather than the option of continuing to study in a smaller group for a reduced number of hours.
2. National and local holidays
All Italian language courses start on Monday. In the event that the first Monday of the course is a national or local holiday, the course will begin on the following day. If the course is for a “short” period (up to 2 weeks in length) and the period of the course includes a national or local holiday, the price of the course will be reduced pro-rata to compensate for the “lost” day or days. No reduction will be made in the price of courses with a duration greater than two weeks since the price of such longer courses is already discounted.
The student should request a reduction in the course price for reasons of national or local holidays at the time of booking the course, or when paying the balance of the course price. No refund will be given after this time for course days lost through national or local holidays. Price reductions due to local or national holidays are made entirely at the discretion of the management of Madrelingua S.r.l.
3. Enrollment and payment of the deposit
Enrollment on an Italian language course should be done using the form available on the internet site, or in person at the school. No such enrolment can be confirmed by the school until the school has received a deposit of €150 from the student. The deposit will be considered part-payment for the course, but is not refundable, except in the event that the course does not have the minimum number of participants (4), in which case a refund will be offered as described above in paragraph 1. The deposit must be paid in one of the following ways:
- bank transfer
- with a credit card on the PayPal website
- in person at the school in cash or with a credit card
In the event that charges are applied to a bank transfer or other payment (this to be demonstrated by the school by means of appropriate bank documents), such charges will be the responsibility of the student. The remaining part of the cost of the course, including any bank charges, must be paid by or on the first day of the course. The remaining course fees can be paid in the following ways: credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, JCB), cash or Italian bank cheque.
See also ’10. Online purchases – right to withdraw’
4. Cancellation or postponement of Italian language courses
Students who cancel an Italian language course at least 10 days before the beginning of the course will be refunded the full cost of the course (if paid), less any bank charges, (such as the cost of an international bank transfer) and less the deposit of €150, which will be considered lost. If, instead, the cancellation should happen less than 10 days before the beginning of the course, or after arrival at the school, for example because of an early departure, no refund will be made. No refunds will be made for Italian language courses which are interrupted or not finished, unless the circumstances are exceptional (for example, serious illness, death in the family), in which case the school reserves the right to issue a credit equal to the value of the part of the course not used. Such a credit can be used as payment for a future Italian language course. Any such credit must be used within 12 months from the moment it is issued, except at the discretion of the school. Credits may not be transferred to third parties, except at the discretion of the school. Credits not used within 12 months will be automatically considered void and no longer valid, except at the discretion of the school. In the event that the school, for whatever reason, no longer offers Italian language courses, the credit will have no further value.
See also ’10. Online purchases – right to withdraw’
Cancellations/No Shows policy for individual/online lessons We arrange individual and online Italian lessons in accordance with a student’s preferences regarding day/time. Once a lesson has been booked, you are free to cancel it or change the day/time as long as you do so at least 24 hours before. If you fail to cancel a lesson, then do not attend (or are late), the lesson is considered to have been done as arranged and the teacher will be paid for her time as normal.
5. Costs
The cost of Italian language courses includes:
- the level test
- letters and documents necessary for the any visa application (if required)
- the accommodation booking service
- the lessons
- a certificate of participation in the course
- certain “free” social/cultural activities
- the use of the school premises, facilities and resources during the normal opening hours
The cost of Italian language courses does not include:
- the text-book (although these can be borrowed free of charge from the school)
- the cost of any external exams, such as CILS or CELI
- certain “paid” social/cultural activities
- the cost of accommodation
- airport/station transfers
- medical expenses
6. Other conditions
As clients typically book Italian language courses several months ahead, the conditions and prices of courses publicised on the internet may vary from the moment of booking to the date on which the course begins. The price due is that which applied at the moment of booking, and any discounts which may be applicable are those which were advertised at the moment of booking. However, other aspects of the conditions relating to the organisation of Italian language courses may vary for commercial reasons from the moment in which the course is booked. For this reason, Madrelingua S.r.l. reserves the right to vary course prices, discounts, timetable of courses, teachers, the minimum and maximum number of participants in the courses, and other details. In the case that the student is not willing to accept such a variation in the conditions of the courses (for example an increase in the maximum number of students in the group), he or she may request a refund equal to the value of the course paid for (including deposit), or to the part remaining of the course if it has already begun.
Any such request for a refund must be made within 48 hours of the beginning of the course. Any such refunds will only be made only if the school considers them justified and claimed in good faith.
7. Discounts
For promotional reasons, the school offers discounts to certain groups of clients (for example, students), or in certain specific periods of the year. Such promotions vary by type and duration. Clients should find out about available discounts by referring to the school’s internet site and must ask for a discount, if applicable, at the time of booking or at the time the balance of the course price is paid. No discount will be given if the student has not requested it by the time the balance of the course price is paid. Discounts are only given at the discretion of the school.
8. Accommodation booking service
Madrelingua offers enrolled students a free accommodation booking service, which may involve booking accommodation for students with individuals, families, hotels, or in apartments. All such accommodation is managed by third parties and the school does not request or receive any payment in return for booking accommodation, either from the owners of accommodation or from students. For this reason, the school does not accept any responsibility in the event that the student is not satisfied with the accommodation booked, or in the case that the student suffers any damage, loss or other inconvenience as a result of the accommodation booked. Payment for accommodation must be made directly to the landlord and can not be included in any invoice issued by the school. For accommodation with individuals or families, payment must be made directly to the landlord, in cash, on the first day of the stay.
9. Medical expenses / insurance
All students participating in Italian language courses in Bologna, Italy are advised to purchase appropriate medical insurance before leaving their own country. EU students are also advised to apply to their local health service for the form E111 which will allow them to be treated by the Italian health service.
10. Online purchases – right to withdraw
In accordance with article 64 and other articles of the Italian Consumers’ Code (Dlgs. N. 235/05), a client who for whatever reason is not satisfied with the purchase made has the right to withdraw from an “online” contract within 10 working days from the date that the “on-line” contract is finalised, without incurring any penalty or having to give a reason.
To withdraw from such an “online” contract, you should send a registered letter to the following address within the 10-day period specified above:
Madrelingua S.r.l. Via Altabella, 11 – 40126 Bologna (BO) Italy
You can also notify us by sending a telegram or e-mail within the same term (info@madrelinguabologna.com), though for this to be valid we must also receive the original in the form of a registered letter within 48 hours of the telegram/e-mail notification.
Madrelingua S.r.l. will repay the whole amount you paid within 30 days of the date we receive the registered letter notifying us of your intention to withdraw from the “online” contract. It is your responsibility to provide us with bank details or other means of making the repayment.
The right to withdraw from an “online” contract is NOT valid when, at the moment the contract is made, the seller undertakes to supply the services specified in the contract at a particular date or in a specified period. Neither is the right to withdraw from an “online” contract valid when, with the agreement of the purchaser, the provision of the service has already begun before the period allowed for exercising the right to withdraw has ended.
11. Adjudication of disputes
In case of any dispute regarding the terms or conditions of Italian language courses at our school, the law of Italy shall apply.
