By using our service, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
Our Service
Language Garage, LLC, provides language learning content, online self-study courses, and online live language instruction to individual private students and small groups (maximum of five students except in the case of special programs and demos) through online third-party meeting applications as well as file sharing sites. Except when stated otherwise, for instance in custom, specialized, or advanced programs, and dependent on language, we produce our own copyrighted instructional material, for use during the online lessons as well as between lessons, in PDF and audio format. Our teaching methodology, online courses, instructor guides, student books, audio, and instructional content published on our blog or elsewhere are all proprietary. Use of this service requires adherence not just to the policies and terms of Language Garage, LLC, but also those of any third-party entities involved, for instance video conferencing application.
Our Content
Language Garage, LLC, is the sole proprietor and copyright holder of all original online courses and instructional materials used during the lessons or published elsewhere, except when stated otherwise. You may not record, redistribute, or resell any of this content without expressed written permission from Language Garage, LLC. Unless otherwise stated, the student content is provided individually in digital form to each student. PDFs of the student books may be downloaded from our site, or can be sent via email or file transfer application, and it is the sole responsibility of the student to print, if so desired. Audio content is also available on our site, or can be sent via a third-party file sharing application.
The trademarks, names, logos and services offered on www.thelanguagegarage.com are registered and unregistered trademarks of Language Garage, LLC. Nothing contained in the course materials, written, electronic, or audio, should be construed as granting any license or right for use outside of the instruction provided by Language Garage, LLC, or its intended use by the student, without expressed written permission from the Language Garage, LLC. Our content uses original, licensed, and open source images. Language Garage LLC claims no copyright or ownership of images, and attributes copyrighted images when required.
Trial Lessons
Language Garage, LLC offers free trial lessons at its discretion for legitimate prospective students of private/one-on-one or semi-private/pair programs. Trials are intended to familiarize prospective private students with the learning experience and online platform, and to determine proficiency level. Trial lessons and enrollments are limited to the number of slots and times Language Garage, LLC and its instructors make available, and Language Garage, LLC retains the right to refuse a free trial lesson to any individual before or during the lesson if that individual is violating our policies. There are no free trial lessons for small groups.
Free and Promotional Events
Language Garage, LLC, offers free promotional events as a way for prospective students to become familiar with our instructors and our teaching content. If you enroll in a free event, we will contact you with you information that you need in order to participate in the event, such as meeting link, and also with promotional content, such as upcoming paid courses, discounts, and so on. By enrolling in a free event, you are under no obligation to enroll in a paid service. However, Language Garage, LLC, reserves the right to limit any individual’s participation in free events for any reason, including but not limited to enrollments in multiple free events at once, enrolling repeatedly in the same event, enrollment in an event but failure to attend, enrollment in an event at an inappropriate proficiency level, and unacceptable behavior in a free event. If you enroll in an event and are unable to attend, you are expected to contact Language Garage, LLC, so that we may open your space for participation by another student.
Free Accounts
Language Garage, LLC, allows prospective students to create free accounts that grant them access to free content, including vocabulary builders, grammar content, student book and audio, and other learning content. By creating a free account, you are under no obligation to enroll in a paid service, but you give Language Garage, LLC, permission to share with you by email or newsletter promotional content, such as upcoming paid courses, discounts, and so on. Language Garage, LLC, reserves the right to cancel or modify your account at any time and for any reason. You may opt out of all promotional emails by replying UNSUBSCRIBE to such an email, or by writing to us at info@thelanguagegarage.com and expressing your desire to be removed from future communications.
Groups
Language Garage, LLC offers two types of group lessons. Custom groups are groups that are preformed by students with their friends, family, colleagues, etc. If you and a group of your friends, family, colleagues, etc., wish to learn together, are at the same level, and can keep the same schedule, we are happy to accommodate you. Per-student costs, schedule, and other program details will be agreed upon in writing on a case-by-case basis. Custom groups are payable in advance of the scheduled start date, and may be canceled and rescheduled or refunded up until 48 hours before the scheduled start. Individual absences or scheduling conflicts during the course of the program are non-refundable, but we will be happy to alter the schedule to a time that accommodates all students and the instructor.
Language Garage, LLC also forms groups (“Small Groups”) on its own. The standard format of these groups is $80 per student, payable in advance, for six weeks of 45-minute lessons following a regular schedule. Three student enrollments are required to form such a group, and these groups are capped at five students. In the case of under-enrollment, we will run the small group with only two students for shorter periods. If only one student enrolls in such a group, we will either refund or offer two private lessons. If more than five students wish to enroll in a group, we will form more than one group, provided that each one has the minimum three student enrollments.
Small Groups are refundable (less a transaction fee of $5.00) until three days (72 hours) before the scheduled start of the group. After 72 hours before the scheduled start of the group, small groups are not refundable, but we will do our best to schedule an alternative of equal value for you. Student absences during the scheduled duration of the group are non-refundable, but your instructor will make sure you have material to make up for the session on your own in order to not fall behind. See “Refunds” below.
Payment
All payments for private instruction (minus transaction fees deducted by the e-commerce plugin) made to Language Garage, LLC go to the instructor. Students may pay instructors for private lessons on the Language Garage site, or they may opt to pay the instructor directly if the instructor permits. If you pay your instructor directly, Language Garage, LLC is not responsible for any refunds you may request.
Language Garage, LLC, requires payment in full for all instruction upfront. Students may enroll in one free trial lesson without payment, but payment is required for enrollment in actual instruction. For standard private/one-on-one or semi-private/pair enrollments, students may pay for blocks of lessons upfront, or in advance of each lesson. In all cases, lessons must be paid in advance. For groups, students must pay for the entire program up front, or a minimum of six lessons, whichever is less.
Proprietary Language Garage materials are used when available and appropriate for the level and needs of the student(s), and the cost of these materials is included in the cost of enrollment. If we do not have appropriate material for your program, for example in the case of an advanced or custom program, or in a language for which we have not developed learning content, we will recommend third party material. If your program requires third party material, you must purchase it directly from a third party bookseller.
Refunds
For private/one-on-one lessons Language Garage, LLC, will offer a prorated refund or a hold-for-future-use in the event that you are unable to continue your lessons due to a change in your schedule, a family emergency, and the like. Any completed lessons, or lessons cancelled/rescheduled later than 24 business hours in advance of the scheduled time (see below) are non-refundable. The same applies to semi-private/pair programs or custom small groups, provided that all parties in the program agree.
For Small Groups formed by the Language Garage, individual students may request a refund (less a transaction fee of $5.00) up to three days (72 hours) before the scheduled start of the group. No refunds can be made for Small Groups later than three days (72 hours) before the scheduled start of the group, but we will do our best to schedule an alternative of equal value for you.
There are no refunds for online self-study courses. The courses are accessible for the length of time specified in the enrollment. Students may extend the period of access by re-enrolling when the current enrollment period expires.
Cancellations and Rescheduling of Lessons
If you enroll in a private/one-on-one program, you may cancel or reschedule a lesson without incurring a charge for that lesson if you do so no later than 24 business hours (Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm, Eastern US) in advance of a scheduled lesson. This policy includes any changes in start time, for example starting a lesson later than scheduled. Semi-Private/pair program students may do the same only in the case where both students agree to this change or cancellation. Any scheduling changes or cancellations must be communicated by email to both info@thelanguagegarage.com and the individual instructors. Notifying the instructor alone verbally or by email is not sufficient; students should always copy info@thelanguagegarage.com on any relevant communication.
Group lesson cannot be rescheduled, and no per-lesson refunds may be made. If the group is a custom group designed for a group of you and your friends, family, or colleagues, we are happy to reschedule with at least 24 business hours notice and the consent of everyone in your group.
If Language Garage, LLC, needs to cancel a lesson due to instructor illness or other such reasons, we will notify all students as quickly as possible by email or telephone, however you prefer. You will not be charged for that lesson. We may also offer a substitute instructor in order to keep the lessons moving.
Internet Connectivity, Webcams, Microphones, and Headsets
As an online course provider, we rely on internet connectivity, and we understand that this can sometimes be unreliable. If you are unable to participate in or log on to a class, please email both your instructor and info@thelanguagegarage.com immediately. (You will be given your instructor’s email upon enrollment.)
During our lessons, instructors share instructional slides with all students via screen sharing, and students and instructors speak and listen to one another. For this reason we highly recommend a high speed internet connection. If you do not have a high speed connection, you may participate in audio via telephone, but we encourage you to make us aware of this and to do a “tech check” before your first lesson so we can assure that your learning experience is smooth.
Students may opt not to share their webcams during any lesson. In cases of slow internet speed, the instructor may ask everyone to turn their webcams off to save bandwidth.
Audio quality through built-in mic and speakers is often poor, and background noise is easily picked up. For that reason we ask that our students use a headset with mic. We are happy to recommend inexpensive options.
Satisfaction and Guarantee
Language Garage, LLC, wants to earn your complete satisfaction in your experience with us. We offer free, no-obligation trial lessons for students considering enrolling in any program. Simply email info@thelanguagegarage.com for a schedule of upcoming sessions or fill out the trial request form. If, at any point during the lessons after enrollment, you become dissatisfied, please contact us immediately by phone or email. In the case of private students (or semi-private students where both students agree), we can try to schedule a different instructor, or simply refund you the unused portion of your payment. If you find that your schedule has changed, we can simply choose a different schedule in the case of private instruction, or in the case of semi-private if both students agree. In the case of group students, we will try to move you into a group that meets your schedule as quickly as possible.
We cannot offer any guarantee of learning a particular amount of the language you are studying. We will do our best by you, and we will always be available for private “catch-up” tutorials or coaching calls, but much of your success depends on your behavior outside of the lessons and your own habits and ability. If you do not regularly use your student materials, including audio, your results may suffer, so we highly encourage you to carve out time as many days as possible between your lessons to retain contact with your new language. We offer an easy-to-follow routine of practice and review that will help you learn and retain as much as possible.
Social Media
Language Garage, LLC, maintains a presence on several social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, MeWe, and Instagram, as well as a blog. The information there is intended to be a supplement to learners. Much of that content is original Language Garage content, but some of it may be from third party sources. Blog content may reference or direct to third party content, but unless content in the blog itself is attributed, you should assume that it is property of Language Garage, LLC. Blog comments require approval, so we have control over what is posted by third parties. In the case of social media platforms, we can only do our best to moderate and delete posts/comments or block users if they post anything offensive, abusive, or inflammatory. We cannot be held responsible for such posts/comments, however unlikely they are, but if you notice something that you find inappropriate or worse, please let us know.
Student Interaction
Language Garage, LLC, expects all students to treat one another and the instructor with respect. If any student or an instructor makes a complaint about inappropriate behavior or language by contacting us at info@thelanguagegarage.com, we will take the complaint seriously and take appropriate action. This may be as mild as an email or phone call, or it could involve being moved to another class or banned altogether from our courses. Please be very sensitive around topics such as politics, religion, or personal life, preferably avoiding them altogether. Please do not show unwanted attention to other students or instructors. Misconduct of this sort may result in removal from our courses, and no refunds will be made if our policies have been violated.
Instructors are required and expected to adhere to the same standards of behavior and professionalism. If you feel that an instructor has violated this policy, please notify us immediate by email or phone. We will look into the matter and take appropriate action.
Privacy
None of your personal information, including your email or phone number, will ever be sold to or shared with a third party. Any personal or contact information you share with Language Garage, LLC, will be used strictly by us, only for the purpose of scheduling classes and sharing general information. Your participation in open forums such as social media is entirely voluntary.
Testimonials and Promotional Material
Language Garage, LLC, may request use of written testimonials or even short videos of groups. None of this will be shared without expressed written consent by all parties involved, and you are under no obligation whatsoever to grant such consent. In the case of video promotional content, we will approach all members of the group in advance, seek permission, and if permission is granted notify you of when recording is to take place.
Disclaimer of Liability
Language Garage, LLC, is not responsible for and disclaims all liability for any loss, direct or indirect damage, liability, personal injury or expense of any nature suffered by you or any third party, which may be attributable, either directly or indirectly, to your use of our online lessons, blog, or social media presence.
Disclaimer of liability for Third-Party Platforms, Applications, & Hardware.
Using the services of Language Garage, LLC, requires the use of certain third-party applications, for example a group conferencing platform or file transfer site, and may include use of social media at your discretion. For best results, both for yourself and other participants in any lesson, we encourage you to use a headset with microphone to block out background noise and to better hear your instructor or other students. Use of your own webcam is entirely optional and generally unnecessary, but it creates a friendlier interaction. Language Garage, LLC, is in no way responsible for the updating or maintenance of these third-party platforms, applications, or hardware, and we expect all students to do due diligence in making themselves aware of whatever terms and conditions third party providers may have, and in selecting a headset. You understand and agree that Language Garage, LLC, does not endorse and is not responsible or liable for the functionality, content, features, or misuse of any third-party provider.
Updating of Course Material or Alteration of Terms of Use
Language Garage, LLC, will make any editorial corrections and updates to its content on an as-needed basis. If you are currently enrolled in a group or individual class, we will provide you with the updated files free of charge. Language Garage, LLC, retains the right to update its course terms, including pricing, if necessary. You will not be required to pay any additional fee to continue your present course, but you would be bound to the new terms on re-enrollment, including pricing.
Applicable Laws
Any relevant terms and conditions, policies and notices are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of United States. You consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New York, USA, in respect to any dispute that may arise in connection to Language Garage, LLC.
Comments or Questions
If you have any questions, comments or concerns about Language Garage, LLC, please contact us at info@thelanguagegarage.com.
This document was last updated on March 14, 2023