Terms of Service

These Terms of Service govern access to and use of the services provided by NorthStar Language Academy Inc. (“NorthStar Language Academy Inc.”, “we”, “us”, or “our”). By enrolling in, accessing, or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you must not use our services.

1. Introduction and Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Service form a binding legal agreement between you and NorthStar Language Academy Inc. concerning your use of our language instruction, training, tutoring, and related educational services. If you are enrolling on behalf of a minor, student, employee, or organization, you represent that you have authority to accept these Terms on their behalf and that they will comply with them.

Our services are provided in Canada and are intended for learners in Canada and internationally, subject to local laws and availability. We may require additional policies, waivers, program-specific rules, or registration forms for certain courses or delivery formats. If there is any conflict, the more specific policy or form will govern to the extent of the conflict.

2. Scope of Services

NorthStar Language Academy Inc. provides language education and related academic services, which may include:

• General English courses for beginners to advanced learners
• Conversation and pronunciation workshops
• Academic English and IELTS preparation
• Corporate language training for teams and professionals
• Private one-on-one tutoring
• Youth and teen language programs
• Online and hybrid classes for flexible learning

Course content, schedules, instructors, class size, delivery method, placement assessments, and program availability may change from time to time at our discretion, subject to applicable consumer protection laws and any written program commitments we make at registration.

We do not guarantee that any specific learner will achieve a particular proficiency level, test score, school admission, immigration outcome, employment outcome, or other result. Individual progress depends on attendance, effort, practice, prior knowledge, and other factors outside our control.

3. User Obligations and Responsibilities

You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete registration, payment, and contact information;
• Promptly update us if your information changes;
• Attend classes punctually and participate respectfully;
• Comply with all class rules, instructor directions, and safety requirements;
• Use our facilities, platforms, and materials lawfully and responsibly;
• Not harass, abuse, discriminate against, or disrupt instructors, staff, or other students;
• Not record, copy, distribute, or publicly share classes or materials without our prior written consent;
• Not use our services for any unlawful, fraudulent, or harmful purpose.

For youth and teen programs, parents or legal guardians are responsible for ensuring the student complies with these Terms and any additional program rules. We may suspend or remove any participant whose conduct is disruptive, unsafe, or violates these Terms.

You are responsible for ensuring that your devices, internet connection, software, and environment are suitable for online or hybrid learning. We are not responsible for interruptions caused by your equipment, network, or third-party platforms.

4. Payment Terms and Conditions

Fees, tuition, materials charges, registration fees, testing fees, and any applicable taxes will be disclosed at the time of enrollment or in the applicable program information. Unless otherwise stated in writing, all amounts are payable in Canadian dollars (CAD).

• Payment is due in full by the deadline specified on the invoice, registration page, or enrollment agreement.
• We may require advance payment, deposits, or installment payments for certain programs.
• Access to classes, course materials, assessments, or certificates may be withheld if payment is not received on time.
• Late or declined payments may result in suspension, administrative fees, or removal from the program, subject to applicable law.
• Any bank charges, chargeback fees, exchange fees, or collection costs resulting from failed or disputed payments may be charged to you to the extent permitted by law.

Promotions, discounts, scholarships, or corporate pricing are subject to their own terms and may be withdrawn or modified at any time unless already committed in writing for a specific enrollment.

If you are invoiced on behalf of a business or organization, the organization and the enrolling individual may be jointly responsible for payment unless otherwise agreed in writing.

5. Cancellation and Refund Policy

Our cancellation and refund policy applies subject to applicable Canadian consumer protection laws, including the laws of British Columbia where applicable. Specific program agreements may contain additional terms.

• Before program start: Cancellations requested before the course start date may be eligible for a refund, less any non-refundable registration fees, processing fees, materials already issued, and any costs incurred, as permitted by law.
• After program start: Once a course has begun, refunds may be limited or unavailable, except where required by law or expressly stated in writing for a specific program.
• Missed classes: No refund will generally be issued for absences, late arrivals, early departures, or failure to attend scheduled sessions.
• Private tutoring: Cancellations or rescheduling requests must be made within the notice period stated at booking. Missed sessions or late cancellations may be charged in full.
• Corporate training: Corporate bookings may be subject to separate cancellation terms, minimum commitments, and administrative fees.
• Online/hybrid classes: Access to digital materials, recorded content, or platform access may affect refund eligibility where permitted by law and disclosed in advance.

If we cancel a class or program and cannot offer a reasonable alternative, we may provide a prorated refund or credit at our discretion, subject to applicable law and the circumstances of the cancellation.

Refunds, where approved, will normally be issued to the original payment method within a reasonable time. Administrative review may be required before any refund is granted.

6. Liability Limitations

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, NorthStar Language Academy Inc. and its directors, officers, employees, instructors, contractors, and agents will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, including loss of profits, loss of data, or business interruption, arising from or related to your use of our services.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total aggregate liability for any claim arising out of or relating to the services will not exceed the amount you paid to us for the specific service giving rise to the claim during the three (3) months preceding the event giving rise to liability, or CAD $500, whichever is greater, unless a higher limit is required by applicable law.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law, including liability for fraud, wilful misconduct, gross negligence where limitation is prohibited, or any liability arising under consumer protection or privacy legislation that cannot lawfully be limited.

Our services are educational in nature and do not constitute legal, immigration, medical, psychological, or employment advice. Any decisions made by you based on our instructional content are made at your own risk.

7. Intellectual Property Rights

All course materials, lesson plans, slides, worksheets, videos, audio recordings, assessments, exercises, logos, trademarks, website content, and other materials provided by NorthStar Language Academy Inc. are owned by us or our licensors and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

• You receive a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to use materials solely for your personal educational use in connection with the enrolled service.
• You may not copy, reproduce, modify, adapt, translate, sell, sublicense, publish, distribute, upload, or create derivative works from our materials without prior written consent.
• Any unauthorized recording of classes, screenshots, photocopying, or redistribution of materials is prohibited unless expressly permitted in writing.
• If you submit content to us, such as assignments, feedback, testimonials, or user-generated materials, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use that content for the purpose of operating, evaluating, improving, and promoting our services, subject to applicable privacy laws and any separate consent requirements.

8. Data Protection and Privacy

We collect, use, disclose, and retain personal information in accordance with applicable Canadian privacy laws, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial privacy legislation where relevant.

Personal information may be used for purposes including registration, identity verification, course placement, communication, billing, academic administration, customer support, service improvement, compliance with legal obligations, and marketing where permitted by law or with consent.

• We may share personal information with service providers who assist us with payment processing, communications, learning platforms, hosting, analytics, or administration, subject to confidentiality and data protection obligations.
• We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information, but no system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
• Where required by law, we may disclose information to regulators, law enforcement, courts, or other authorities.
• By using our services, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in our privacy practices and as permitted by law.

If we offer online classes or digital services that use third-party platforms, those platforms may collect data subject to their own privacy policies. You are responsible for reviewing those third-party terms.

You may contact us regarding privacy concerns, access requests, or correction requests using the contact information below. Some requests may be subject to legal exceptions or verification requirements.

9. Force Majeure

NorthStar Language Academy Inc. will not be liable for any delay, interruption, cancellation, or failure to perform due to causes beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, fire, flood, severe weather, power outages, internet or telecommunications failures, epidemic or pandemic events, governmental actions, labour disputes, acts of war, terrorism, civil unrest, or failures of third-party service providers.

In such circumstances, we may suspend, reschedule, substitute instructors or platforms, provide online alternatives, or make other reasonable adjustments to continue services where practicable. If a force majeure event materially affects delivery, refund or credit options may be determined in accordance with applicable law and program-specific terms.

10. Changes to Terms

We may update or modify these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our services, operations, legal requirements, or business practices. Updated Terms will be posted on our website or otherwise communicated to you and will become effective on the stated effective date.

Your continued use of our services after the effective date of any updated Terms constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms, to the extent permitted by law. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you must stop using the services and, where applicable, contact us regarding your enrollment options.

11. Applicable Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict of laws principles.

Subject to any mandatory consumer protection rights or other non-waivable legal rights, the courts located in Vancouver, British Columbia will have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the services.

12. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, complaints, or refund requests regarding these Terms or our services, please contact:

NorthStar Language Academy Inc.
NorthStar Language Academy, 2450 Hemlock Street
Vancouver, BC V6H 1X8
Canada
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (604) 683-9472

13. Severability Clause

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, unenforceable, or contrary to applicable law, that provision will be severed or limited to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

No waiver by NorthStar Language Academy Inc. of any breach or default will be deemed a waiver of any prior or subsequent breach or default. Any failure to enforce a provision will not constitute a waiver of our right to enforce that or any other provision later.

By enrolling in or using our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms of Service.