Terms and conditions (AGB)

This is an English translation of our German terms (Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen). Where the two versions differ, the German version applies.

§ 1 Scope and contracting party

(1) These terms apply to every contract for language courses concluded through the website https://jawohl.org. The participants' contracting party is

Global Aspire Network e.V., trading as "Ja Wohl!"
Elsa-Brändström-Straße 10, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany
entered in the register of associations at the Amtsgericht Heidelberg under VR 704317
represented by its board: Mithun A. Sridharan, Melissa E. Dietrich
Email: hello@jawohl.org · Phone: +49 176 9792 4897

("we", "us").

(2) These terms apply to consumers and to businesses alike (together "participants"). Any terms of the participant apply only if we expressly agree to them in text form.

(3) Where the German Distance Learning Protection Act (Fernunterrichtsschutzgesetz, FernUSG) applies to a contract, its mandatory provisions take precedence over these terms. Nothing in these terms is to be read as limiting any right participants have under the FernUSG or other mandatory consumer protection law.

§ 2 Services

(1) We offer live online group courses in German as a foreign language at levels A1, A2 and B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). One course covers exactly one level. The learning goal is that level.

(2) Each course consists of 36 lessons of 60 minutes (48 teaching units of 45 minutes), usually three a week, at the time chosen at registration (German time). Lessons take place exclusively live and synchronously in a virtual classroom (Zoom); they are not recorded. The dates, time, start and end of the course are set out in the course description on the website and in the confirmation of registration.

(3) A course is taught in a group of at least 10 and at most 20 participants.

(4) The course includes the learning materials for the level in digital form, short tasks between lessons with personal feedback from the teacher, and an assessment at the end of the level. Participants who attend at least 75% of the lessons receive a certificate of participation.

(5) If a lesson falls on a nationwide public holiday in Germany, it does not take place and is added at the end of the course. The number of lessons stays the same in every case.

(6) We owe careful teaching, not a particular learning result, which also depends on the participant's own work. The course does not prepare for any particular external examination and does not include one.

(7) We may change the teacher where this is necessary to run the course and does not affect the content or quality of the teaching.

§ 3 Registration and conclusion of the contract

(1) The courses shown on the website are not a binding offer but an invitation to register.

(2) By sending the completed registration form with the button "Register with obligation to pay", the participant makes a binding offer to conclude a contract for the chosen course. Before sending, the essential terms (course, dates, scope, course fee and payment terms) are shown in a summary, and every entry can be checked and corrected.

(3) The contract is concluded when we confirm the registration by email. The confirmation contains the essential terms of the contract in text form. These terms and the cancellation policy with the model withdrawal form are attached to it in the version in force when the contract is concluded. We store the text of the contract; the current terms are always available on the website.

(4) If a course is fully booked, those interested can join a waitlist. The entry is free and binds neither side; it does not create a contract.

(5) The contract languages are German and English. Where the two versions differ, the German version applies.

(6) Participants must be at least 18 years old.

§ 4 Course fee and payment

(1) The course fee is €490 per level. It is exempt from VAT under § 4 No. 21 of the German VAT Act (UStG); no VAT is charged. There are no other costs.

(2) The course fee is payable by bank transfer within 14 days of the conclusion of the contract, and in any case before the first lesson. The bank details and the payment reference are given in the confirmation of registration. We send an invoice by email.

(3) The course fee covers exactly one level. We never ask for payment in advance for more than one course.

(4) On request, we address the invoice to the participant's employer. The participant remains our contracting party unless a separate contract is concluded with the employer.

(5) If the course fee has not been received when the course starts, we send a reminder with a reasonable deadline for payment. If it passes without payment, we may withdraw from the contract and give the place to someone else.

§ 5 Minimum number of participants and cancellation by us

(1) A course takes place if at least 10 participants have registered. If this number has not been reached 7 days before the course starts, we may cancel the course.

(2) We inform everyone registered of a cancellation without delay, in text form, and refund any course fee already paid in full within 14 days. On request, we offer a place in another course. There are no further claims unless § 10 provides otherwise.

(3) If a lesson does not take place for reasons within our responsibility (for example, the teacher's illness or a technical fault on our side), we make it up. We agree the new date with the group.

§ 6 Attendance and missed lessons

(1) To take part, participants need a device with a camera and microphone and a stable internet connection. They receive access to the virtual classroom by email before the course starts.

(2) If participants miss lessons for reasons within their own responsibility, they are not entitled to a repeat lesson or a refund. On request, the teacher provides the tasks of the missed lesson.

(3) A change to another course is possible on request if a place is available there.

(4) Until the course starts, participants may name another person to take part in their place, provided that person meets the requirements for the level. The course fee stays the same.

§ 7 Right of withdrawal

(1) Participants may withdraw from the contract within 14 days, as set out in the cancellation policy. We grant this right of withdrawal to all participants, including those who do not act as consumers. Where the FernUSG applies, § 4 FernUSG applies in addition.

(2) If participants expressly ask for the course to begin before the withdrawal period ends and then withdraw, they owe a reasonable amount corresponding to the share of lessons given up to the withdrawal in the total number of lessons.

§ 8 Term and termination

(1) The contract ends with the last lesson of the course booked, without notice being needed. It does not renew automatically.

(2) Where the FernUSG applies, participants may terminate the contract without giving reasons, for the first time with effect from the end of the first six months after the contract was concluded, giving six weeks' notice, and after those six months at any time, giving three months' notice (§ 5(1) FernUSG).

(3) The right of either side to terminate the contract for good cause without notice remains unaffected. Good cause for us exists in particular if a participant, despite a warning, repeatedly and seriously disrupts the lessons or breaches § 9.

(4) Termination must be in text form; an email to hello@jawohl.org is enough.

(5) If the contract ends early by termination, the course fee is owed only in proportion to the lessons offered until the termination takes effect. We refund anything paid beyond that within 14 days.

§ 9 Participants' obligations

(1) The access details for the virtual classroom are personal and may not be passed on.

(2) Lessons may not be recorded, filmed or photographed. This protects the privacy of all participants and of the teacher.

(3) We expect respectful conduct in the group. Discriminatory, insulting or harassing remarks are not tolerated.

§ 10 Liability

(1) We are liable without limitation for damage arising from injury to life, body or health, for intent and gross negligence, and under the German Product Liability Act.

(2) For slight negligence, we are liable only for the breach of an essential contractual obligation, one whose fulfilment makes the proper performance of the contract possible in the first place and on whose observance participants may regularly rely. In that case our liability is limited to the foreseeable damage typical for the contract.

(3) We are not responsible for the participant's technical equipment or internet connection.

§ 11 Learning materials

The learning materials are protected by copyright. Participants may use them for their own learning, but may not copy, publish or pass them on to others.

§ 12 Data protection

How we process personal data is explained in our privacy policy.

§ 13 Consumer dispute resolution

We are neither willing nor obliged to take part in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration board. You can reach us with any question or complaint at hello@jawohl.org.

§ 14 Final provisions

(1) The law of the Federal Republic of Germany applies, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. For consumers, this choice of law applies only insofar as it does not deprive them of the protection of mandatory provisions of the law of the country in which they have their habitual residence.

(2) If participants are merchants, legal entities under public law or special funds under public law, the place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising from the contract is our registered office.

(3) If any provision of these terms is invalid, the rest of the contract remains valid. The statutory provisions take the place of the invalid provision.