GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Scuola Italiana s.r.o. – Live Online Italian Language Courses

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Service Provider

SCUOLA ITALIANA s. r. o.
Laurinská 138/11
811 01 Bratislava – Staré Mesto
Slovak Republic

Company ID No.: 57 773 289
Registered in the Commercial Register of the Municipal Court Bratislava III, Section Sro, Insert No. 203695/B

Website: www.scuolaitaliana.online
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: 00421 917179475

These General Terms and Conditions (“Terms and Conditions”) govern the contractual relationship between SCUOLA ITALIANA s. r. o. (“Scuola Italiana”, “we”, “us” or the “Provider”) and the customer (“Customer”) in connection with the provision of live online Italian language courses and lessons.

These Terms and Conditions are primarily intended for consumers in European countries. Where a service is purchased by a business or another person acting in the course of their business or professional activities, provisions applicable exclusively to consumers shall apply only to the extent required by applicable mandatory law.

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES

2.1. Scuola Italiana provides online Italian language education exclusively in live, interactive format. Our services include, in particular:

• individual lessons;
• lessons for two students;
• group courses;
• lessons for children;
• one-off online seminars; and
• prepaid lesson packages.

2.2. Unless expressly stated otherwise for a particular service, online instruction means a live lesson with a teacher conducted in real time via a video-conferencing platform. The service does not include pre-recorded videos, automated digital courses, membership areas or lesson recordings unless expressly agreed otherwise.

2.3. The specific details of the service, including the type of course, language level, number and duration of lessons, dates, course period, number of participants, platform, price and any teaching materials, are specified in the relevant offer, order or order confirmation (“Order”).

2.4. The terms expressly agreed in the Order shall prevail over any general provisions of these Terms and Conditions.

2.5. The exact number, duration and schedule of lessons are determined by the Order.

2.6. For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions:

Consumer means a natural person who does not act for purposes relating to their business, trade or profession.

Student means the person participating in the course or lesson. The Student and the Customer placing the Order may be different persons.

2.7. Our services may be offered to customers in Slovakia and in other European countries in which we make the relevant services available. We may reasonably restrict availability in a particular country where required for legal, tax, payment, technical or operational reasons.

3. ONLINE INSTRUCTION AND LANGUAGE LEVEL

3.1. Live instruction is provided by teachers selected by Scuola Italiana. Unless a specific teacher has been expressly agreed as an essential characteristic of the service, we do not guarantee that a particular teacher will conduct the lessons.

3.2. The Student’s language level may be determined on the basis of information provided by the Student, an initial consultation or a placement test.

3.3. If, after the course has started, it becomes apparent that the selected level is not appropriate, we may, in agreement with the Student, recommend another group, level or individual learning arrangement.

3.4. We do not guarantee that a Student will achieve a particular language level or learning outcome within a specified period. The outcome depends, among other things, on the Student’s previous knowledge, regular attendance, active participation and independent preparation.

3.5. The course price includes live lessons with a teacher within the scope specified in the Order.

3.6. Textbooks, printed materials, individually prepared materials, tests, certificates or other additional services are included only where expressly stated in the relevant offer or Order.

3.7. Where a physical textbook or other materials are offered for delivery by post, the applicable price and delivery costs will be communicated before the Order is placed. The sale of physical goods may be subject to separate terms and conditions.

4. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

4.1. To participate properly in online lessons, the Student must have:

• a stable internet connection suitable for continuous audio and video transmission;
• a computer, tablet or mobile phone suitable for video-conferencing;
• a functioning microphone, speakers or headphones and camera;
• an up-to-date web browser or the relevant video-conferencing application, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or a comparable platform; and
• a functioning e-mail address and the ability to open links and files required for the course.

4.2. Before the first lesson, the Student is responsible for checking that their device, camera, microphone, audio output, internet connection and access to the relevant platform are working properly.

4.3. Where the platform requires an application, account or software update, the Student must arrange this in advance unless we instruct otherwise.

4.4. The Student is responsible for the costs of their own equipment, internet connection, data services and standard software. We are not responsible for fees charged by the Student’s internet or mobile service provider.

4.5. The Student must participate from an environment suitable for learning, including an appropriate level of peace and quiet and conditions allowing the Student to hear and communicate effectively.

4.6. Participation in an online lesson while driving or while engaging in another activity incompatible with safe and focused learning is not permitted.

4.7. Unless otherwise agreed for a particular lesson, the Student must have a functioning camera and microphone.

4.8. We may reasonably change the video-conferencing platform used, provided that we ensure a comparable means of participation without unreasonable additional cost to the Student.

5. ORDER AND CONCLUSION OF THE CONTRACT

5.1. An Order may be placed through our website or online interface, by e-mail or by another method specified for the relevant service.

5.2. By submitting a binding Order, the Customer makes an offer to enter into a contract.

5.3. Before submitting an Order, the Customer has the opportunity to review and correct the information provided. The Customer is responsible for ensuring that all information supplied is accurate and up to date.

5.4. The contract is concluded when the Provider sends confirmation accepting the Order, unless the Order or confirmation provides otherwise.

5.5. The Customer will receive confirmation of the contract and the applicable Terms and Conditions on a durable medium, generally by e-mail.

5.6. The contract is concluded in the language in which the Order was placed or the Order confirmation was sent.

5.7. If these Terms and Conditions are available in several language versions, the versions are intended to have the same meaning. To the extent permitted by mandatory law, the Slovak version shall constitute the reference version.

5.8. We may refuse an Order, in particular where:

• the relevant course is fully booked;
• a suitable teacher is unavailable;
• the selected language level is unsuitable and no alternative solution is available; or
• we are unable to provide the service in the Customer’s country.

If the price has already been paid, we will refund the amount corresponding to the service that has not been provided.

6. PRICE, PAYMENT AND RESERVATION

6.1. The applicable price is stated in the relevant offer or Order.

6.2. Unless expressly stated otherwise, prices include all taxes and mandatory charges that we are required to include in the advertised price.

6.3. Payment is generally made in EUR based on the invoice or payment instructions provided with the Order.

6.4. Unless a different payment period is stated in the Order or invoice, the standard payment period is 7 days.

6.5. A place on a course or a specific lesson appointment is considered definitively reserved only once the full price has been paid, unless we expressly confirm the reservation earlier.

6.6. If the Customer fails to pay the price on time, we may, following an additional reminder, cancel the reservation and make the relevant place or appointment available to another customer.

6.7. Discounts, promotional codes and individual benefits may be used only subject to the conditions of the relevant offer. Unless expressly stated otherwise, discounts cannot be combined.

6.8. Where the price is displayed on the website in more than one currency, the amount and currency expressly confirmed in the Order shall prevail.

7. COURSE ORGANISATION, DATES AND TEACHERS

7.1. Dates for group courses and seminars are determined by Scuola Italiana. Dates for individual lessons are agreed according to the availability of both the teacher and the Student.

7.2. Unless expressly stated otherwise in the Order, all times are based on the Europe/Bratislava time zone (CET/CEST).

7.3. If an online booking system automatically displays the Student’s local time, the time stated in the booking confirmation shall prevail. The Student is responsible for checking the applicable time zone.

7.4. E-mail and calendar reminders are provided as a convenience only. Failure to receive a reminder does not create a right to a replacement lesson where the appointment was properly confirmed.

7.5. We may change the teacher, in particular due to illness, unavailability or organisational reasons.

7.6. A change of teacher does not, by itself, create a right to a refund provided that the subject, level and scope of the instruction remain unchanged.

7.7. Where a particular teacher was expressly agreed as an essential characteristic of the service, we will agree an appropriate alternative solution with the Customer.

7.8. If a group course does not reach the minimum number of participants, we may propose:

• postponing the start of the course;
• an alternative date;
• another suitable group; or
• another form of instruction.

If the Student does not accept the proposed solution, we will refund the price paid for the part of the service that has not been provided.

7.9. We will inform the Customer of any material change to the course schedule or organisation without undue delay using the contact details provided in the Order.

8. ATTENDANCE AND CANCELLATION OF LESSONS

8.1. Students must join their lessons on time. Late arrival does not extend the scheduled lesson time.

8.2. For group courses, lessons for two students and one-off seminars, a Student who does not attend is not entitled to a replacement lesson, individual catch-up lesson, recording or proportional refund unless otherwise expressly agreed.

8.3. For lessons for two students, the lesson will take place even if only one Student attends. The absence of the other Student does not create a right to a replacement lesson or refund.

8.4. An individual lesson may be cancelled or rescheduled without being deducted from a prepaid package if the Student notifies us at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.

8.5. Any replacement lesson is subject to the teacher’s availability.

8.6. If an individual lesson is cancelled less than 24 hours before the scheduled start time, or if the Student fails to attend, the lesson will be considered delivered and will be deducted from the prepaid package.

8.7. For individual lessons, the teacher will wait for the Student for at least 15 minutes after the scheduled start time. If the Student does not join within this period and the issue is not attributable to the Provider, the lesson will be considered a non-attendance.

8.8. If we cancel a lesson for reasons attributable to us, the lesson will not be deducted from the Student’s package. We will arrange a replacement lesson or provide an equivalent credit.

8.9. A prepaid flexible lesson package must generally be used within 15 weeks from the date of the first lesson, unless a different period is specified in the Order.

8.10. Once this period has expired, unused lessons expire without entitlement to a refund, unless the lessons could not be used due to circumstances attributable to the Provider.

8.11. Holidays, work commitments or other ordinary circumstances on the Student’s side do not automatically extend the validity of a lesson package.

8.12. In the event of a serious and prolonged health-related or other exceptional circumstance, the Student may submit a written request for an individual solution, such as an extension of the package validity or transfer of unused lessons.

8.13. A course or unused part of a lesson package may be transferred to another person only with our prior consent, taking into account, in particular, the person’s language level, age and the organisation of the course.

9. TECHNICAL PROBLEMS AND SERVICE AVAILABILITY

9.1. Technical problems on the Student’s side, including a malfunctioning device, microphone or camera, insufficient internet connection, incorrect settings, missing software or incorrect login details, do not entitle the Student to a replacement lesson or refund where the service was properly made available by the Provider.

9.2. If the Student is disconnected during a lesson due to circumstances on their side, the teacher will reasonably allow the Student to reconnect. The lesson will nevertheless end at the originally scheduled time.

9.3. If a lesson cannot take place, or a material part of the lesson is unavailable due to circumstances attributable to the Provider or teacher, we will provide a replacement lesson, equivalent credit or refund for the part of the service that was not provided.

9.4. In the event of a widespread failure of the video-conferencing platform or another third-party technical service, we will, where reasonably possible, attempt to use an alternative platform.

9.5. If the lesson cannot substantially take place due to such a technical failure, it will not be counted and will be replaced.

9.6. A lesson will generally be considered materially affected where a technical problem attributable to the Provider or its selected platform prevents a substantial part of the scheduled lesson from taking place or prevents the intended purpose of the lesson from being achieved.

9.7. We are not responsible for short-term unavailability of the website, administrative interface or other auxiliary service where this does not materially affect the actual provision of the ordered instruction.

10. CANCELLATION AFTER CONCLUSION OF THE CONTRACT

10.1. This Article applies in addition to the consumer’s statutory right of withdrawal described in Article 11.

10.2. Once the statutory withdrawal period has expired, a Student participating in a group course, lesson for two students or one-off seminar may not unilaterally cancel their participation and request a refund of the price or any part thereof unless we expressly agree otherwise.

10.3. Failure to attend a course, or ceasing to attend a course, does not in itself terminate the contract or release the Customer from the obligation to pay the agreed price.

10.4. Individual lessons are subject to the cancellation and package-validity rules set out in Article 8.

10.5. Nothing in this Article affects the Student’s statutory rights in relation to defective services, cancellation by the Provider or the consumer’s statutory right of withdrawal.

11. CONSUMER’S RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL

11.1. Where a distance contract for the provision of services is concluded with a consumer, the consumer generally has the right to withdraw from the contract without giving a reason within 14 days from the date on which the contract was concluded, unless applicable law provides otherwise.

11.2. The consumer may exercise the right of withdrawal by sending an unequivocal statement by e-mail to the Provider, by post to the Provider’s registered office or by another legally permitted method.

11.3. The model withdrawal form set out in Annex 1 may be used, but its use is not mandatory.

11.4. Where the contract was concluded through an online interface, the consumer may also exercise the right of withdrawal through a dedicated withdrawal function available through that interface, where provided.

11.5. The withdrawal function must be easily accessible and clearly identifiable, for example as “Withdraw from the contract”.

11.6. Following electronic submission of a withdrawal, we will send the consumer confirmation on a durable medium without undue delay, including the content of the withdrawal and the date and time of submission.

11.7. The withdrawal period is observed if the consumer sends the withdrawal notice before the end of the applicable period.

11.8. If the consumer requests that the service commence before expiry of the 14-day withdrawal period, we will commence performance only following the consumer’s express request or consent and after providing the information required by applicable law.

11.9. If the consumer validly withdraws after the service has commenced, the consumer may be required to pay a proportionate amount for the service actually provided up to the time of withdrawal, provided that the statutory requirements have been met.

11.10. Once the service has been fully provided, the consumer may lose the right of withdrawal where the statutory conditions for such loss have been satisfied, including the consumer’s prior express consent or request and the required information regarding the loss of the right.

11.11. We will refund any payments that we are legally required to refund without undue delay and within the statutory period, generally using the same payment method used for the original payment unless otherwise agreed and provided that no additional costs are incurred by the consumer.

11.12. Where the consumer has their habitual residence in another country, any mandatory consumer protection rights granted by the law of that country remain unaffected to the extent required by the applicable rules of law.

11.13. Further information on the right of withdrawal is provided in Annex 2.

12. DEFECTIVE SERVICES AND COMPLAINTS

12.1. We are obliged to provide the service in the agreed scope, quality and time and with professional care appropriate to the nature of language education.

12.2. Dissatisfaction with a Student’s personal learning results does not constitute a defect where the instruction was properly provided.

12.3. A change of teacher or video-conferencing platform does not constitute a defect where the change is permitted under these Terms and Conditions and the agreed service remains substantially unchanged.

12.4. The Student may notify us of a defect without undue delay, preferably by e-mail.

12.5. The notification should include:

• the Student’s identifying details;
• the relevant course or lesson;
• the date;
• a description of the problem; and
• the remedy requested.

12.6. We will confirm receipt of the complaint and assess it within the period and in the manner required by applicable law.

12.7. If the complaint is justified, we will provide an appropriate remedy, which may include a replacement lesson, credit, reasonable discount or refund for the part of the service not provided.

12.8. A technical problem caused by the Student does not constitute a defect in our service where we can demonstrate that the service was properly made available.

13. PARTICIPATION RULES, ACCESS CREDENTIALS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

13.1. Lesson links, passwords, login credentials and access to any student interface are intended exclusively for the relevant Student and may not be shared with third parties without our prior consent.

13.2. Students must treat teachers and other participants respectfully, must not disrupt lessons and must refrain from offensive, discriminatory, threatening or otherwise inappropriate behaviour.

13.3. In the event of serious or repeated misconduct, the Provider or teacher may remove the Student from the lesson.

13.4. In the event of a serious breach of contractual obligations, we may terminate the contract. Any financial settlement will be handled in accordance with the nature of the breach and applicable mandatory law.

13.5. Lessons are not recorded by Scuola Italiana unless the participants expressly agree otherwise for a specific purpose.

13.6. Without the prior consent of the Provider, teacher and relevant participants, Students may not make audio, video or audiovisual recordings, screenshots or other recordings of lessons or distribute such recordings.

13.7. Teaching materials created by Scuola Italiana or its teachers are protected by intellectual property rights.

13.8. The Student receives a non-exclusive and non-transferable right to use such materials solely for their own non-commercial study purposes.

13.9. Without prior consent, the materials may not be published, sold, rented, sublicensed, reproduced on a large scale, provided to third parties or used for the Student’s own commercial educational activities.

14. MINOR STUDENTS

14.1. Where the Student is a minor, the contract must be concluded by their legal guardian or another person legally authorised to act on their behalf, unless applicable law or the nature of the service provides otherwise.

14.2. The legal guardian is responsible for the accuracy of the information provided, payment of the price, technical readiness of the equipment and provision of an appropriately safe environment from which the minor participates in the online lesson.

14.3. For younger children, we may require an adult to be present or available during connection, the resolution of technical issues or the lesson itself, where appropriate having regard to the child’s age.

14.4. The legal guardian must provide information necessary for the safe conduct of the lesson where such information may have an immediate bearing on the minor’s participation.

15. GIFT VOUCHERS

15.1. We may issue gift vouchers that can be used towards online language instruction.

15.2. The value, scope of use and any specific conditions applicable to the voucher are stated on the voucher or at the time of purchase.

15.3. Unless a different validity period is stated on the voucher, a gift voucher is valid for one calendar year from the date of issue.

15.4. Gift vouchers are transferable and may be redeemed when ordering a service in accordance with the procedure specified by the Provider.

15.5. If the price of the service exceeds the value of the voucher, the difference must be paid.

15.6. Any unused balance will not be refunded unless mandatory law provides otherwise.

16. COMMUNICATION, PERSONAL DATA AND THIRD-PARTY PLATFORMS

16.1. We communicate with Customers and Students primarily by e-mail, telephone and through the relevant video-conferencing platform or student interface.

16.2. Customers are responsible for keeping their contact details accurate and up to date and for regularly checking incoming messages.

16.3. The use of a video-conferencing platform may also be subject to the terms and privacy policies of the relevant platform provider.

16.4. We select platforms appropriate for the purpose of the instruction and provide Students with the information necessary to access them.

16.5. Personal data are processed in accordance with our separate Privacy Policy published on our website.

16.6. Our Privacy Policy also contains information about recipients and providers of the IT, invoicing, e-mail and video-conferencing services we use.

16.7. Consent to receive marketing communications or newsletters is not a condition for purchasing our services.

16.8. Where marketing communications are sent on the basis of consent, the recipient may withdraw that consent at any time.

16.9. The use of cookies and analytical or marketing technologies is governed by our separate Cookie Policy.

17. GOVERNING LAW, JURISDICTION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

17.1. The contractual relationship between the Provider and the Customer, and any matters not expressly governed by the contract or these Terms and Conditions, shall be governed by the laws of the Slovak Republic.

17.2. Where the Customer is a consumer, the choice of Slovak law does not deprive the consumer of the protection afforded by mandatory provisions of the law of the country of their habitual residence, where the conditions of Article 6(1) of Regulation (EC) No. 593/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the law applicable to contractual obligations (Rome I) are satisfied.

17.3. Jurisdiction over disputes arising from or relating to the contract shall be determined in accordance with applicable mandatory law.

17.4. Where a consumer contract falls within Article 17(1) of Regulation (EU) No. 1215/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (Brussels I bis), the consumer’s rights under Articles 18 and 19 of that Regulation remain unaffected.

17.5. Where the Customer is not a consumer, disputes arising from or relating to the contract shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Slovak Republic competent according to the Provider’s registered office, unless mandatory law provides otherwise.

17.6. A consumer may contact the Provider with a request for remedy if a dispute arises concerning rights arising from liability for defects or if the consumer believes that their rights have been infringed.

17.7. If the Provider rejects the request for remedy or fails to respond within 30 days of its submission, the consumer may submit a proposal for alternative dispute resolution to the competent alternative dispute resolution entity pursuant to Act No. 391/2015 Coll. on Alternative Resolution of Consumer Disputes.

17.8. The competent alternative dispute resolution entity may include the Slovak Trade Inspection, unless the dispute falls within the competence of another competent entity.

17.9. The consumer’s right to bring proceedings before a competent court remains unaffected.

18. FINAL PROVISIONS

18.1. If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is held to be invalid or unenforceable, this shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions.

18.2. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by the applicable statutory provision to the extent required, while the consumer’s statutory rights remain unaffected.

18.3. We may amend these Terms and Conditions, in particular due to changes in legislation, our range of services, technologies or operational processes.

18.4. For contracts already concluded, the version of the Terms and Conditions effective at the time the contract was concluded shall apply unless applicable law or an agreement between the parties provides otherwise.

18.5. If we introduce subscription services or services provided for an indefinite period or automatically renewed periods in the future, any changes to material contractual terms during the term of such contract will be made only to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law.

18.6. The current version of these Terms and Conditions is published on our website.

18.7. These Terms and Conditions enter into force on October 1^st, 2026.

 

 

 

ANNEX 1

MODEL WITHDRAWAL FORM

Use this form only if you wish to withdraw from the contract and you have a statutory right to do so.

To:
SCUOLA ITALIANA s. r. o.
Laurinská 138/11
811 01 Bratislava – Staré Mesto
Slovak Republic
E-mail: [email protected]

I hereby notify you that I withdraw from the contract for the provision of the following service:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Date of order / conclusion of contract:
……………………………………………………………………..

Order number or other contract identifier:
…………………………………………………………..

Consumer’s name and surname:
…………………………………………………………………………..

Consumer’s address:
………………………………………………………………………………………….

E-mail:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Date: …………………………………………….

Consumer’s signature
(only if this form is submitted in paper form)

…………………………………………….

ANNEX 2

INFORMATION ON THE EXERCISE OF THE RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL

1. Right of withdrawal

If you are a consumer and have entered into a distance contract for the provision of services with SCUOLA ITALIANA s. r. o., you generally have the right to withdraw from the contract without giving a reason within 14 days from the date on which the contract was concluded, unless applicable law provides otherwise.

You may exercise your right of withdrawal by sending an unequivocal statement by e-mail to [TO BE COMPLETED], by post to the Provider’s registered office or by another legally permitted method.

You may use the model withdrawal form in Annex 1, but its use is not mandatory.

If you concluded the contract through the Provider’s online interface, you may also use the dedicated online withdrawal function available on the website during the withdrawal period.

After submitting your withdrawal through this function, you will receive confirmation without undue delay on a durable medium, generally by e-mail, containing the content of your withdrawal and the date and time of submission.

The withdrawal period is observed if you send your withdrawal before the end of the applicable period.

2. Consequences of withdrawal

If you validly withdraw from the contract, we will refund any payments that we are legally required to refund without undue delay and within the statutory period.

The refund will generally be made using the same payment method used for the original transaction, unless you agree otherwise and no additional costs arise as a result.

3. Commencement of instruction before expiry of the 14-day withdrawal period

If the first lesson is scheduled to take place during the 14-day withdrawal period, we will require your express request or consent to commence providing the service before expiry of that period, together with confirmation that you have received the information required by applicable law.

If you subsequently validly withdraw after the service has commenced, you may be required to pay a proportionate amount for the service actually provided up to the time of withdrawal.

Once the service has been fully provided, your right of withdrawal may cease where the statutory conditions for such loss of the right have been satisfied.

4. Recommended consent at the time of ordering

If instruction is to begin before expiry of the 14-day withdrawal period, the ordering process should include a separate, non-pre-selected checkbox containing the following or similar wording:

“I expressly request and consent to the commencement of the provision of the ordered service before expiry of the 14-day withdrawal period. I confirm that I have been informed that if I withdraw from the contract after the provision of the service has commenced, I may be required to pay for the service provided up to the time of withdrawal and that, once the service has been fully provided under the conditions laid down by law, I may lose my right of withdrawal.”

5. Cross-border consumers

The choice of Slovak law in these Terms and Conditions does not limit the mandatory consumer protection rights to which you are entitled under the law applicable in the country of your habitual residence.

Where such law provides you with more favorable protection, we will respect those rights to the extent required by applicable law.