General Terms and Conditions (GTC) for Language Courses
StartDE Consulting
Business Address:
Königsallee 19, 40212 Düsseldorf
Language School / Essen Campus:
15A Mathildenstraße, 45130 Essen
As of October 2026
§ 1 Scope of Application
These Terms and Conditions apply to the language courses offered by StartDE Consulting, including, in particular, intensive courses, evening courses, online courses, in-person courses, exam preparation courses, and career-related or medical language courses.
The specific course description and any individual agreements included in the course contract supplement these Terms and Conditions.
Individual agreements take precedence over these Terms and Conditions.
§ 2 Registration and Conclusion of the Contract
Registration can be completed, in particular, via an online form, by email, in writing, or through another booking method provided by StartDE.
By signing the course contract or accepting a corresponding contract offer, the participant is considered to have made a binding registration for the respective course.
The specific course spot will be reserved on a binding basis upon receipt of the agreed-upon reservation deposit.
Once payment is received, the participant will receive confirmation of their spot in the course or confirmation of registration.
§ 3 Down Payment and Course Registration
For group classes, a Reservation deposit of €150.00 to be paid, unless otherwise agreed upon for the specific course.
The €150.00 will be applied in full toward the course fee and does not constitute an additional registration fee.
A spot in the course will not be firmly reserved until payment is received.
If the deposit is not paid within the payment period specified on the invoice, StartDE may allocate the space to another party.
§ 4 Final Payment
The remaining tuition fee is due no later than 14 calendar days before the course begins to pay in full.
For late registrations, the remaining balance is due on the date specified on the invoice.
In justified exceptional cases, StartDE may agree to a later payment on a case-by-case basis.
Payment upon arrival in Essen is permitted only if StartDE has expressly confirmed this in writing in advance.
If payment is not made on time, StartDE may grant the participant a reasonable grace period.
If the grace period expires without payment, StartDE may assign the course spot to another participant and refuse admission to the course until payment is made in full.
§ 5 Cancellation up to 14 days before the course begins
A cancellation must be made in writing.
After the expiration of any applicable statutory right of withdrawal, StartDE may, in the event of a cancellation by the participant, retain up to €150.00 of the reservation deposit as a flat-rate compensation for administrative, organizational, and reservation expenses incurred.
The participant is expressly permitted to prove that StartDE suffered no damages or significantly less damage.
Any amounts already paid in excess of this total will generally be refunded if the cancellation is made in a timely manner.
§ 6 Cancellation 14 days or more before the start of the course
If a cancellation is made 14 calendar days or fewer before the course begins, the full agreed-upon course fee may still be due.
StartDE takes into account the expenses saved as well as the successful reassignment of the course spot to another participant.
The participant is expressly permitted to prove that StartDE suffered no damages or significantly less damage.
The same generally applies if you do not attend the course.
Mandatory statutory rights remain unaffected.
§ 7 Withdrawal from the Course and Absences
Absences for personal reasons generally do not entitle the participant to a refund or reduction of the course fee.
This applies in particular in the event of illness, vacation, work commitments, appointments with government agencies, delayed entry, or other personal circumstances preventing attendance.
Withdrawal from a course after it has begun does not, as a general rule, entitle the student to an automatic full or partial refund.
Statutory rights remain unaffected.
§ 8 Denial of a Visa
If it can be proven that the course was booked for the purpose of a visa application and the visa required for this purpose is denied by the relevant German diplomatic mission or government agency abroad, the participant may take advantage of the special visa cancellation policy.
To do so, you must submit the written notice of denial to StartDE.
In this case, any course fees already paid in excess of the reservation deposit will generally be refunded, provided that no services have already been rendered or other costs incurred prevent such a refund.
StartDE may withhold up to €150.00 from the reservation deposit to cover administrative and reservation costs already incurred.
In this case as well, the participant is entitled to prove that the damage was less than claimed or did not occur at all.
This special provision may not apply if the visa denial is based, in particular, on incomplete documentation, false information, a late application, a procedure abandoned by the participant, or other circumstances for which the participant is responsible.
§ 9 Minimum Number of Participants
Group classes will be held provided that the minimum number of participants specified for that particular class is reached.
The minimum number of participants may be specified in the course description, the course contract, or the booking confirmation.
If the minimum number of participants is not reached, StartDE may:
- postpone the course to a later date,
- offer another suitable course,
- offer a parallel course or
- Cancel the class.
A significant change from in-person to online instruction—or vice versa—will only take place with the participant's consent.
In the event of a final cancellation by StartDE, all payments made for the course in question, including the reservation deposit, will be refunded in full, provided the participant does not accept an alternative course offered.
§ 10 Class Times and Schedule Changes
StartDE is authorized to replace teachers when there is a substantive or organizational need to do so.
Minor changes to class times are permitted, provided they are reasonable for the participants.
Significant changes will be communicated in a timely manner.
Classes canceled due to reasons attributable to StartDE will generally be rescheduled or appropriately replaced.
§ 11 In-Person Instruction
In-person classes are generally held at:
StartDE Consulting – Language School in Essen
15A Mathildenstraße
45130 Essen
If necessary for organizational reasons, StartDE may designate another suitable classroom within Essen, provided this is reasonable for the participants.
§ 12 Online Instruction
Online courses are generally conducted as live classes, unless otherwise agreed.
Participants must have a suitable device, a reliable Internet connection, and the technical equipment required for the course.
Technical problems on the participant's end generally do not constitute grounds for rescheduling individual class sessions.
Significant technical disruptions to classes for which StartDE is responsible will be made up or appropriately replaced.
§ 13 Class Sessions
A class period (UE) generally corresponds to 45 minutes.
A course with 160 teaching units therefore consists of 120 hours of instruction.
Break times are not considered class periods, unless otherwise agreed.
§ 14 Classification
StartDE may require participants to take a placement test.
If it is determined that the chosen course level does not correspond to the student's actual level of knowledge, a switch to a more appropriate course may be recommended.
A change requires that a suitable spot be available.
§ 15 Course Materials and Learning Platform
StartDE can provide digital materials, exercises, tests, homework assignments, and access to a learning platform.
External textbooks or other materials that require a fee are included in the course fee only if this is expressly stated.
Login credentials must not be disclosed to third parties.
§ 16 Examinations
External exam fees, particularly for exams administered by external testing providers, are not included in the course fee unless expressly agreed upon.
StartDE does not guarantee that a candidate will pass an external language or technical language exam.
§ 17 Certificates of Participation
StartDE can issue a certificate of completion upon completion of the course.
In particular, full payment of the course fee and sufficient attendance at the course may be required for this purpose.
A certificate of participation is not a state-recognized language certificate, unless this is expressly stated.
§ 18 Certificates for Visa or Government Purposes
Once a binding reservation has been made and the specified payment requirements have been met, StartDE may issue a course or registration confirmation.
Such confirmation does not guarantee that a visa, residence permit, or other official authorization will be granted.
The decision rests solely with the competent authority.
§ 19 Copyright and Recordings
Instructional materials may be used only to the extent permitted by law and for personal learning purposes.
Unauthorized publication, distribution, or commercial use is prohibited.
Audio, video, or photo recordings of classes are not permitted without the consent of StartDE and the individuals involved.
§ 20 Behavior in Class
Participants must treat teachers, staff, and other participants with respect.
In the event of significant or repeated disruptions, threats, harassment, discrimination, or similar serious misconduct, StartDE may take appropriate action.
In the event of serious breaches of contract, participants may also be excluded from the course in accordance with the applicable legal requirements.
§ 21 Right of Withdrawal
To the extent that a consumer is legally entitled to a right of withdrawal in connection with an online, distance, or other type of booking, the statutory provisions apply.
The statutory cancellation period is generally 14 days from the date the contract is concluded, unless a statutory exception or a different statutory provision applies.
StartDE provides a separate notice of right of withdrawal, if required.
If the participant expressly requests that StartDE begin providing the service even while the cancellation period is still in effect, the statutory provisions regarding early commencement of service, compensation for value, and, if applicable, the expiration of the right of cancellation shall apply.
These Terms and Conditions do not exclude any existing statutory right of withdrawal.
§ 22 Force Majeure
If a course cannot be held as planned due to an extraordinary event for which StartDE is not responsible, StartDE will make every effort to find an appropriate alternative solution.
In particular, this may involve rescheduling or making up for lost time.
Participants' mandatory statutory rights remain unaffected.
§ 23 Liability
StartDE is liable in accordance with statutory provisions for willful misconduct and gross negligence, as well as for damages resulting from injury to life, body, or health.
In the event of a breach of material contractual obligations due to slight negligence, liability shall be governed by statutory provisions and, to the extent permitted by law, shall be limited to foreseeable damages typical for this type of contract.
StartDE does not guarantee that students will reach a specific language proficiency level within a certain period of time, nor does it guarantee that they will pass an exam.
§ 24 Data Protection
Personal data is processed in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
For more information, please see StartDE Consulting's Privacy Policy.
§ 25 Governing Law and Final Provisions
The laws of the Federal Republic of Germany shall apply, subject to mandatory consumer protection regulations.
Individual agreements take precedence over these Terms and Conditions.
Should any individual provisions be or become invalid, the applicable statutory provisions shall take their place. The validity of the remaining provisions shall generally remain unaffected.
