General Terms and Conditions (GTC)

(1) These General Terms and Conditions (GTC) apply to all contracts for participation in language courses, language training, private lessons, online courses, and other services of the Sitov Academy (hereinafter "Language School").

Provider:

Sitov Academy

Hüttenstraße 24a, 30165 Hannover, Germany

E-Mail: info@sitov-academy.com

Phone: +49 171 4758620

Authorized Representative: Anastasia Sitov

(2) Deviating or supplementary conditions of the participant are only binding if the Language School confirms this in writing.

(1) The subject of the contract is the services specified in the respective course description (scope of services, course duration, dates, teaching materials). The course description is an integral part of the contract.

(2) Minor changes in the course schedule, teaching staff, or class times are permissible, provided that the overall character of the course is not significantly impaired.

(3) Online instruction is conducted via common video conferencing software (e.g., Microsoft Teams). The participant is responsible for a suitable internet connection and technical equipment.

(4) Regular online group courses and online trial lessons are always recorded in Microsoft Teams so participants of the respective course can watch the lessons later. Registration requires separate consent to recording. Online private lessons are exempt. Further details are set out in § 9 of these Terms and the privacy policy.

(5) Course participation covers the specifically agreed dates in the relevant calendar month. The displayed number of teaching units describes the calculation for that month; it is not an unlimited or freely redeemable balance of hours. Private lesson dates are individually agreed within the booked month; separate arrangements remain possible.

(1) Registration can be made online via the website, by e-mail, by written registration form, or personally on site and constitutes a binding offer by the participant.

(2) In the case of written registration using a paper form, the contract is concluded with your signature on the registration form. You will receive a written or e-mailed confirmation of registration.

(3) In the case of online registration, the contract is concluded as soon as the Language School confirms the registration in writing (e.g., by e-mail). The registration confirmation can be combined with the invoice for the course fee.

(4) The Language School reserves the right to reject registrations for good cause (e.g., overcrowding, inappropriate language level).

(1) The currently valid prices are those listed in the price overview published on the website. All prices are final prices. According to § 19 UStG, no sales tax is charged.

(2) Course fees are invoiced monthly in advance. After the first booked teaching month, the course agreement continues for an indefinite period unless terminated. Billing and participation entitlement cover the agreed dates of the respective calendar month; no transferable balance of hours is created.

(3) Payment of the follow-up invoice constitutes active consent to continued course participation for the respective following month.

(4) Non-payment of a follow-up invoice within 14 days of receipt is treated as automatic cancellation effective at the end of the current billing month. In this case, no additional costs are incurred by the participant.

(5) Payment is made by bank transfer after receipt of invoice, unless otherwise agreed.

Bank details:

Account holder: Anastasia Sitov

IBAN: DE98 1001 1001 2273 5332 29

BIC: NTSBDEB1XXX

Bank: N26 Bank SE

Reason for payment: Invoice number

(6) In case of late payment, statutory default regulations (§ 288 BGB) apply only if the payment was announced but not made within the specified period.

(7) Subsequent invoices are usually prepared at month-end for the following teaching month. Payment is due in advance as stated on the invoice. An internal dashboard mark for invoice creation does not confirm delivery or receipt of payment.

(8) The estimated price shown during registration and monthly selection is calculated from the currently planned lessons, their duration and the stated unit rates. Known cancellations are deducted. Further lessons cancelled by Sitov Academy reduce the invoice accordingly; paid services that are not replaced are refunded proportionally. All prices are final prices without additional fees.

(1) If the contract was concluded via distance selling (e.g., by e-mail or online registration), the participant, who is a consumer within the meaning of § 13 BGB, has a statutory right of withdrawal.

(2) The details result from the following cancellation policy.

(1) If a participant misses an agreed appointment for reasons within their responsibility, such as holiday or illness, there is no automatic right to a replacement lesson, transfer to a later month or attendance at different dates. Participation covers the booked dates of the relevant calendar month and ends for those dates at month-end. Any continuing payment claim in the event of default of acceptance is governed by section 615 BGB, including deduction of saved expenses and alternative earnings; statutory rights remain unaffected.

(2) On a goodwill basis, the Language School may offer make-up opportunities or replacement dates, provided this is organizationally possible.

(1) If classes are cancelled for reasons for which the Language School is responsible (e.g., illness of the teacher) and no replacement date can be offered, the pro rata course fee will be refunded.

(2) Statutory rights concerning failures of performance, including refunds, withdrawal from the contract and damages, remain unaffected.

(1) The Language School is liable only for intent and gross negligence. In cases of simple negligence, it is liable only for the breach of essential contractual obligations (cardinal obligations) and limited to the typical, foreseeable damage.

(2) For damages resulting from injury to life, body, or health, statutory liability applies without limitation.

(3) The Language School assumes no guarantee for a specific learning success.

(4) Liability for loss or damage to personal belongings is assumed only in cases of intent or gross negligence.

(1) Course materials are protected by copyright and may be used exclusively for personal use. Passing on, duplication, or publication is prohibited without the express written consent of the Language School.

(2) Video and audio recordings created as part of online courses are also protected by copyright. The copyrights belong exclusively to the Language School. The recordings are made available to participants of the respective course for a limited time for learning purposes.

(3) Sharing of the recordings, access credentials, or public display (e.g., on social media) by the participant is strictly prohibited and may result in exclusion from the course. The participant has no claim to an error-free recording or permanent availability.

(1) The course agreement is concluded under the rules in section 3. Fees and advance payment are governed by section 4.

(2) After the first booked teaching month, the agreement continues indefinitely and is billed monthly. The participant may cancel at any time with effect at the end of the current billing month. Non-payment of a renewal invoice is treated as cancellation under section 4(4); no further costs arise from it.

(3) Cancellation may be declared at any time without any particular form (e.g. by e-mail, via the cancellation form on the website, or by message via a messenger service) and takes effect at the end of the current billing month.

(4) After cancellation, whether active or due to non-payment, course participation can only resume through a new registration. A choice explicitly saved as a monthly pause within an ongoing agreement concerns only attendance in the specified month and does not terminate the entire agreement. No courses are booked for the paused month; a later course choice must be confirmed again.

(5) This subscription model is designed to minimise unnecessary administrative effort for both parties and to make course participation as straightforward as possible.

(6) Changes to these terms do not automatically apply to existing contracts. The agreed version remains applicable unless a change is validly agreed with the participant.

The collection and processing of personal data takes place in accordance with the GDPR and the BDSG. Further information can be found in the privacy policy on the website of the Language School.

(1) The learning area supplements booked and released course services with vocabulary, grammar, reading and pronunciation practice. Availability and access depend on the course description and access permissions. Unpublished learning videos are not a promised additional service.

(2) Account credentials must not be shared. Existing student and booking records become available only after verified sign-in and an unambiguous match. Third-party email addresses must not be used. Creating an account or receiving an application does not replace the school’s acceptance under § 3.

(3) Vocabulary practice uses spaced repetition. “Learned” describes progress in the exercises and does not guarantee permanent recall or an examination result. Self-assessment affects review dates.

(4) Students may send their own recordings and messages for pronunciation feedback. Teachers may reply in writing or by voice message, and students may respond again. This is asynchronous support, not a continuously staffed live chat. A fixed response time applies only if separately agreed.

(5) Submit only your own content or content you may lawfully use. The school receives only the usage rights needed to store, play and discuss submissions for individual teaching. Students retain rights to their own recordings. Publication or advertising use requires a separate agreement. This is distinct from recordings of online lessons under § 9.

(6) YouTube videos open through external links and are governed by the provider’s terms. Report technical problems to the school; statutory rights for service failures remain unaffected.

(1) German law applies.

(2) The contract language is German.

(3) If the participant is a consumer, the statutory place of jurisdiction of their residence applies.

(4) We are neither obliged nor willing to participate in a dispute settlement procedure before a consumer arbitration board.