The following information will answer the most frequently asked questions. Please read it carefully. If you have any additional questions please feel free to e-mail us by completing any of the contact forms found throughout the web site, or call us at 1-800-394-5327 (or 1-203-730-8495 if calling from outside the United States or Canada). To contact us by Fax: 1-203-730-8506.
Quality of Courses
All language centers have been carefully selected. They have many years of experience and their courses are very effective. Some are more structured than others. All aspects of language learning are covered, but improving conversation skills is their main goal. If you need help choosing a language center please contact us.
Language Level
Unless you are a full beginner, you will be given a placement test either before or upon arrival at each school. The results of this test will determine the course level for group class placement. It is difficult to assess your own language level prior to the school’s exam. Find out how many hours of classes you have taken. The following is a guideline for all schools: Total beginners: No knowledge of the language. Elementary level: 40 to 60 hours. Advanced beginners: 61 to 100 hours. Intermediate level: 120 to 160 hours. Advanced level: 160 hours or more.
Course Names
All courses are labeled by intensity (determined by number of lessons per week) and type of course (group lessons, private lessons or a combination of both). The maximum number of students per class is clearly listed on each school page. The average number of students per class is usually 3 or 4 students fewer than the maximum listed. Courses usually have the maximum number of students during the months of July and August.
All courses labeled “Private” or “One-on-One” consist of private lessons tailored to the specific needs of the client. The student may choose any specific areas that he/she wants to cover during the course. Students who take private lessons may start any Monday. Students may also take private lessons to complement group courses. This will enable them to concentrate on specific problem areas. All schools offer private lessons. If the price is not stated in the price list, please call us.
Number of Lessons
The number of lessons included is specified under each course description. “Standard” courses often consist of 15 or 20 lessons per week, while “Intensive” courses consist of 25 lessons or more per week. Lesson duration may vary from 45 to 60 minutes depending on each school and it is also listed under the course descriptions on each individual school page.
Important note for all Group Courses: For the purposes of forming homogeneous groups, if the number of students at a certain level is less than required to conduct group training as specified in the course description, schools reserve the right to adjust the number of hours of training based on the number of students at that level. For example: a 20 lesson per week group course may be substituted for 15 semi-private lessons if there are only 2 students at a specific level, or 10 private lessons if there is only one student at the specific level. Each school uses their own criteria to substitute the number of group lessons for private or semi-private lessons, but substitutions will always be made for a course of the same or higher value than the original course booked.
Activities and Excursions
Some school activities are free of charge. Excursions are free of charge when specified in the brochure. Otherwise, additional fees payable directly to the school apply.
Groups: Teachers and Companies
Teachers and Companies who bring groups of students (10 or more) may start any time. Schools offer discounted rates for groups of 8 or more students. Airfares will be greatly reduced for groups of 10 or more. Registration fees for groups vary according to the number of participants.
Tax deductions
Consult with your accountant. All expenses directly related to studying abroad may be tax deductible if studying a language is relevant to your work or your profession, or necessary to upgrade your current skills.
Certificates
All language centers are willing to write a letter specifying the course taken and attesting to the student’s language level and class attendance. Some give official certificates for which the student has to comply with attendance and examination requisites.
Prices
Most schools price their programs in local currency. We list the program prices in US Dollars for your convenience, using exchange rates AVERAGED over the previous six months. Except in the case of extreme currency fluctuations or program changes, prices will remain the same. You will be informed of any price changes before you make your final payment and have the right to withdraw your application without penalty in case of program changes that affect the quoted price. Prices in our website are listed below the respective programs and accommodation descriptions. We do not charge an additional application fee, however, some schools may charge “enrollment”, “materials” or “administration” fees. When applicable, these fees will be clearly listed on our web site and must be added to the cost of the course. To calculate the total cost of the programs simply add the school enrollment fee (if any) to the cost of the course and lodging of your choice.
How to Read the Prices
Prices for the courses are listed on each school’s main page by course name and by the number of weeks chosen. Accommodation descriptions and prices can be accessed by clicking on the “Accommodations” tab located on each school page. These tabs can be found right above the course descriptions. If you have any questions regarding the pricing or are having trouble finding the information please give us a call or send us a message via our contact page.
If you are a beginner, make sure you are applying for the correct date. Most schools have special dates for beginners. Private lessons may start any Monday.
Once you have been confirmed, any course or lodging date changes may involve additional charges set by each school. Please contact us if you need to make changes to your reservation. Any change request should be made in writing.
University Accreditation
Most of our courses can receive credit through a university in the US. Students can make these arrangements directly with their university or, in some cases, they can apply for transfer credit through US based universities. Please contact your university’s language department for requirements. Feel free to call us if you have any questions.
Travel Arrangements
We encourage you to shop around for the best possible airfare available. If you would like assistance we can make recommend a travel agency that specializes in student travel and will give you a free quote upon request. Please call us for details.
Lodging
Students may request lodging through the school or secure their own lodging if they so desire and simply enroll in the course of their choice.
Schools offer different types of lodging: Host families, shared apartments, individual apartment/studios, school residences and hotel bookings. Not all schools offer all types of accommodations. Please check each individual school page for their offer and pricing details.
Host Families:
Lodging with a family means your host may be a traditional family unit, a single person, a working person, a widower, a divorced woman or man or a retired couple. All homes are carefully selected. If you find your family unsuitable, the school will do everything possible to make a change. If there are no other families available, they may decide to refund you the remaining amount after deducting the fee for one week of lodging after your request has been made. If you have any special requests regarding your homestay or lodging please be as specific as possible by informing us of your preferences at the time of enrollment (E.g. no kids, or pets, vegetarian meals, hobbies – music – sports etc.). Special diet requests may involve additional charges. Some schools offer “premium” host family placements at additional charge. These are usually families that are located close to the school or offer private bathrooms. When available, these options are listed on each school’s accommodation page.
Apartment Shares:
Some schools offer accommodations in shared apartments. These are usually multiple bedroom apartments where students are placed in a private bedroom but share the common areas of the apartment. Meals are not provided in shared apartments but students have access to an equipped kitchen where they can prepare their own meals.
Individual Apartments/Studios:
Some schools also offer accommodations in individual apartments for those students that require more privacy. When available, descriptions and prices can be found on each school’s accommodation page.
Student Residences:
Student Residences are available at certain locations. These may be school owned on-site residences or third party residences open to the school’s students. When available, descriptions and prices can be found on each school’s accommodation page.
Hotel Reservations:
Most schools are able to make hotel reservations on the student’s behalf. Booking fees may apply.
NO LODGING INFORMATION WILL BE SENT BEFORE FINAL PAYMENT IS RECEIVED.
Holidays
All schools close for national and religious holidays. While some schools allow students to make up the lost time during the rest of the course, they are not required to make up for the classes that fall on official holidays when the school is closed. If you are going on a very short program (2 weeks or less) you may inquire if there are any national holidays during that time.
Application Procedure
Your completed application must be accompanied by a non-refundable deposit of USD 100.00. No application will be processed until the deposit is received. The deposit amount will be deducted from the final balance. We recommend that you book as soon as possible. You may book at the last minute based on availability but you risk not having space and paying a higher airfare.
Deadlines
We should receive applications at least 30 days prior to the starting date of the course in order to allow for timely processing.
If you apply less than 30 days before the start of the course you must either send a certified check for the total amount due for courses and lodging or pay via credit card. The application will not be processed if it doesn’t come accompanied by full payment.
The balance is totally refundable if there is no place in the program on the dates requested. If your application is accepted and you withdraw, cancellation fees will apply.
Make sure you want to go before submitting an application form!!
Confirmation
Within 5 business days of our receipt of your application and deposit, we will contact you to inform you whether or not you have been confirmed in the course requested. At that time we will also e-mail you an invoice listing the total amount due and the balance due date. Upon receipt of final payment an ARRIVAL INFORMATION FORM with the address of the school, lodging information (if available at that time), arrival instructions and any other recommendations will be sent to you. PLEASE NOTE: Most schools may not provide you with final lodging information (e.g. name and address of host family) until two weeks prior to the beginning of the course. The Arrival Information Form will also list your balance as paid in full and will serve as your receipt and confirmation of the course(s) reserved.
Final Payment
We must receive final payment 30 days prior to the starting date. Payments received after that date must be made by CERTIFIED CHECK, CREDIT CARD or WIRE TRANSFER. If payment is not received 20 days or less prior to the starting date, the application will be canceled automatically. Reactivation will cost $75 in addition to the risk of not finding a place during the high season.
No lodging information can be sent until final payment has been received!.
Payments
Payments by Check
IDENTIFY YOUR CHECK PROPERLY.
Please accompany all checks with a copy of your application form. Keep a copy of your check and application for your records.
Payments by Credit Card
Payments by credit card (VISA or MasterCard only) are accepted.
Currently we cannot accept credit card payments on-line. If you would like to pay using a credit card, please submit the application form on-line and call us with your credit card number. You may also print the application form and submit it by mail or fax including your credit card information.
Payments by Wire Transfer
If you would like to pay via a bank wire transfer please indicate this on your application form and we will send you the bank information along with your confirmation.
Please note that participants are responsible for any transfer fees imposed by the bank (transfers should be sent “without charges to beneficiary”).
Medical and Travel Insurance
It is the student’s responsibility to arrange for accident, theft, personal liability and medical travel insurance that covers him/her while traveling abroad. Neither the host family, nor the school nor Lingua Service Worldwide, Ltd. will be able to advance you any money in case of an emergency, illness, accident or injury. When enrolling on a program please specify any ailments on a separate sheet of paper and send it to us together with your application. We can help you secure Medical and Travel Insurance through third party providers. Please contact us for details.
Cancellation Policy
Once your program has been confirmed cancellations must be done in writing and cancellation fees will apply according to this schedule:
- More than 30 days prior to start date: USD 100.00 deposit is non-refundable (at this time the program can be postponed for up to a year without penalty).
- Within 30 to 15 days of start date: the greater of 35% of total program cost or USD 175 is non-refundable.
- Within 14 days of start date: the greater of 70% of the total program cost or USD 175 is non-refundable.
- After start of the course: No refunds.
All requests for cancellation MUST be made in writing. Requests for cancellation and refunds made within the cancellation periods prior to the start of the program as listed above should be addressed to the school and sent to Lingua Service Worldwide. Requests for cancellation once the program has been started MUST be done directly to the school administration and submitted to Lingua Service Worldwide upon your return home. If the school agrees to issue a refund for any part of the program cost you MUST obtain their authorization in writing and attach a copy of this authorization to your request for refund. We cannot refund any fees unless the school has issued you a statement in writing with the exact amount they have agreed to reimburse.
Refunds will be made only in US Dollars, within four to six weeks after receipt of your request for refund. Maximum Credit Card refunds will be for the net amount received from the credit card company (credit card fees will be deducted from refund amount). No refunds will be issued directly by the schools.
Notes: Cancellations due to serious illness and/or death in the family must be accompanied by a medical or death certificates and will be given special consideration. Under these circumstances, most schools will allow the program to be changed to a later date without penalty, or agree to issue refunds.
Please contact us for additional details and complete cancellation procedures.
Liability
Neither Lingua Service Worldwide, Ltd. nor the Schools will accept liability for:
- Changes or cancellations of the program due to strikes, inclement weather, civil strife, war, Acts of God, or any other circumstances beyond our/their control.
- Loss or damage to possessions or personal injury incurred by the student while traveling to and from the school from and to his/her country of residence.
- Loss or damage to possessions or personal injury incurred by the student either while studying at School, traveling to and from the school, or participating in any school sponsored activity.
Schools are insured according to the local laws and requirements of their country and not according to U.S. Laws. In case of a school’s cancellation of a whole program, our liability is limited to refunding the cost of the program.
By signing the Lingua Service Worldwide application form you are stating that you have read and accepted all the terms, conditions and policies stated on this on-line brochure and application form.
Safety
For information about health threats and political safety in any of the countries where you would like to travel, please call the U.S. Department of State at (202) 647-5225.