Terms and Conditions for Language Courses

Registration
Registration for a course must be completed in writing.
The registration for a course is binding, even when the course fee has not yet been withdrawn from your account.
The registration form clears the way for charge by direct debit. 
A separation registration form must be completed for each course and for each section of a course for appropriate authorization.

Course Fees
Course fees can be found in the current language course brochure or in the English Courses section of this website.
Please note that there are two prices per course. 
One price is specifically for members of the Carl-Schurz-Haus and for employees of company members.  The other (higher) price is for all non-members.
Course payments are made through direct debit.  Course fees are due at the time of registration and are collected at the start of the course.
If the given debit entry cannot be processed by the bank (canceled charge/return debit), an additional processing fee will be levied in the amount of 10 € per filing.

Change of Course
In the event that the selected course is not an appropriate fit for the student (too challenging or not challenging enough), moving to another course is generally possible.  Please note that this transfer may result in a partial refund or a supplementary payment.

Withdrawal from a course and liability
So that the Carl-Schurz-Haus is not at a financial disadvantage, withdrawal from a course at least 1 week before the start would result in a fine of 10€.  Withdrawing from a course during the week before the start would result in a fine of 50% of the course fee.  If a student withdraws from a fully booked course before the start and another potential student joins but cannot attend the first session due to receiving short notice, a fee will be levied consisting of the cost of one session plus administrative fees.  Withdrawals before the second session of the respective course must be made in person in the Carl-Schurz-Haus.  After submitting a written request, it is possible for a refund to be granted after the second session of the course.  The reason for requesting the refund must be explicitly stated (for example, a doctor’s note or a letter from an employer).  The language course director of the Carl-Schurz-Haus will determine the outcome of the request.
The account holder is responsible for all costs incurred from the time the request is received by the language course director of the Carl-Schurz-Haus.  This includes the fees for the number of sessions that have taken place, any additional costs, and a 15€ administrative fee.
Refunds will not be given after a course is half over.
In the event of the number of students falling short of the required minimum (4 students for a language course) after a withdrawal takes place, the Carl-Schurz-Haus/Deutsch-Amerikanisches Institut e.V. reserves the right to withhold reimbursements.

Course withdrawal or cancellation by the Carl-Schurz-Haus
If the minimum number of students for a course is not obtained by the beginning of the course (min. 4 students), or when some other justifiable reason is present, the Carl-Schurz-Haus reserves the right to cancel the event or to cut the event short at some point throughout its duration.  The fees will be proportionally reimbursed.  Further claims for loss on the part of the students from the canceled course cannot be made.

Applicable to all courses:
Days with no courses include legal holidays and school holidays/vacations.
The terms for withdrawal from a course do not apply to absence from a course.
As a rule, the minimum number of participants for our language courses is four (4) people. 
The maximum number is eight (8) people.  Exceptions are sometimes made for specific courses.  If the minimum number of students for a language course is not met, the Carl-Schurz-Haus is not obligated to hold or continue the course.  Refunds will be made if the minimum number of students is not reached.  In the event of the minimum number of students not being reached, it is possible to hold the course with lower than the required number of students but at a higher price per student.  It is also possible to hold the course with a shorter duration.  More information will be provided to those who are interested.  The organizer of the language courses reserves the right to combine courses if they are both small in terms of the numbers of participants and if the participants are at a similar level of language mastery.
The details of the lesson are planned 5 months in advance but are subject to change.  Unless explicitly stated, all of the instructors of language courses at the Carl-Schurz-Haus are native speakers of the English language.
The Carl-Schurz-Haus is not held liable for any accidents occurring in connection with the courses.  If an offering is canceled or must be canceled due to unforseeable circumstances, the Carl-Schurz-Haus is not obligated to provide other services.
For courses which function in cooperation with the Volkshochschule, the student must abide by the terms and conditions of both the Carl-Schurz-Haus and of the Volkshochschule. 

Certificate of Attendance
After the completion of a course, a certificate of attendance can be issued upon request.  To receive the certificate, the Carl-Schurz-Haus asks that the participant sends us a self-addressed and stamped envelope. 

Privacy
The collection, storage, and processing of personal data is completed on a voluntary basis.
The data is used for in-house purposes. 
The privacy of your personal information is in accordance with and supported by the BDSG (Federal Data Protection Act).

Individual Instruction (for 1, 2 or 3 people)
Registration for a course must be completed in writing.
The registration for a course is binding, even when the course fee has not yet been withdrawn from your account.
The registration form clears the way for charge by direct debit.
All booked hours must be completed within 12 months.

Cancellation Policy
In order to allow adequate time for administrative processes, a 24-hour cancellation period applies when canceling individual course sessions.  An agreement on the cancellation of the session(s) must be made with the instructor at the first session.  Non-compliance with this agreement will result in fees for hours missed.

Addendum for Academies

The course fee will be charged one week before the start of the Academy. Cancellations without penalty may be made up to two weeks before the start of the Academy, not before the start of the course, and must be made in writing. Thereafter, a handling fee of 25€ will be charged if the student's vacated slot is filled. If the vacated slot is not filled, a cancellation fee of 50% will be levied. In cases of illness after the course has begun, only an account credit will be granted; refund is not possible.

Addendum for children's courses

Registration is only valid in connection with a direct debit authorization. Should our bank be unable to process said direct debit (because of a charge back), an additional processing fee of 5.00 € per attempt will be levied. Your registration and direct debit will be automatically renewed for the next school year if you do not submit notice (similar to a membership). A termination notice must be received in writing at least 4 weeks before the end of the current term. Your debit authorization will expire automatically after termination.