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Terms of Service

Last updated: December 2025

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to Grace Chinese. These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of our website at grace-chinese.com (the “Platform”) and all related services, courses, lessons, and products (collectively, the “Services”).

By creating an account, accessing the Platform, or purchasing any of our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use our Services.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Grace Chinese. Please read them carefully.

2. Services and Products

Grace Chinese provides online Mandarin Chinese language learning services. Our offerings include:

2.1 Trial and Assessment Services

  • Trial Class ($18): 30 minute one-on-one assessment session with personalized level evaluation and learning plan recommendations

2.2 Lesson Package Programs

One-on-one private lessons with flexible scheduling and personalized curriculum:

  • 1-Month Kickstart Program ($189): 4 private lessons (50 minutes each) for beginners starting their Chinese journey
  • 3-Month Speaking Program ($399): 12 private lessons focused on conversational fluency and practical communication skills
  • 6-Month Mastery Program ($749): 24 private lessons for comprehensive language development and intermediate proficiency
  • 12-Month Fluency Program ($1,399-$1,499): 50 private lessons for advanced learners pursuing fluency and cultural mastery

2.3 Group Bootcamp Programs

  • 4-Week Beginner Bootcamp ($149): Group learning program for absolute beginners with structured curriculum, weekly sessions, and community support
  • 8-Week Conversational Bootcamp ($249): Intensive group program focused on speaking practice, real-world scenarios, and conversational confidence

2.4 Self-Paced Online Courses

  • On-demand video courses with lifetime access
  • Interactive exercises, quizzes, and downloadable materials
  • Progress tracking and personalized recommendations
  • Free trial courses available for new students

2.5 Digital Products

  • HSK vocabulary packs and study guides ($1-$19)
  • PDF workbooks and grammar guides
  • Audio pronunciation packs
  • Other educational resources and materials

3. Account Registration and Use

3.1 Account Creation

To access certain Services, you must create an account. When registering, you agree to:

  • Provide accurate, current, and complete information
  • Maintain and promptly update your account information
  • Keep your password secure and confidential
  • Notify us immediately of any unauthorized account access
  • Be at least 13 years old (or 16 in the EEA), or have parental consent

3.2 Account Responsibility

You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from unauthorized use of your account.

3.3 Account Suspension and Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account if you violate these Terms, engage in fraudulent activity, or misuse our Services. You may delete your account at any time from your account settings.

4. Payment Terms and Pricing

4.1 Payment Processing

All payments are processed securely through Stripe, a PCI-DSS Level 1 certified payment processor. We accept major credit and debit cards. We do not store your full credit card information on our servers.

4.2 Pricing and Currency

All prices are listed in USD unless otherwise stated. Prices are subject to change, but changes will not affect purchases already made. Current pricing is available on our website and in our Platform.

4.3 Taxes

Prices do not include applicable taxes, duties, or fees. You are responsible for all taxes associated with your purchase, except for taxes based on our net income.

4.4 Payment Failure

If a payment fails, we may suspend your access to purchased Services until payment is successfully processed. Repeated payment failures may result in cancellation of your Services.

4.5 Coupon Codes and Discounts

Coupon codes and promotional discounts are subject to specific terms and expiration dates. Codes are not transferable, cannot be combined with other offers (unless stated), and may be revoked at any time. One coupon per purchase.

5. Cancellation and Refund Policy

5.1 Trial Class Refund Policy

If you are not satisfied with your Trial Class, you may request a full refund within 24 hours of the session. Refund requests must be sent to [email protected] with a brief explanation.

5.2 Lesson Package Refund Policy

For lesson packages (1-Month, 3-Month, 6-Month, 12-Month programs):

  • Before First Lesson: Full refund available within 14 days of purchase (EU customers) or 7 days (other regions)
  • After First Lesson: Prorated refund available based on unused lessons, minus a $25 administrative fee
  • After 50% Completion: No refunds available
  • Unused lesson credits expire 12 months from purchase date

5.3 Bootcamp Refund Policy

For bootcamp programs:

  • Before Start Date: Full refund available up to 7 days before the bootcamp start date
  • Within 3 Days of Start: 50% refund available if you withdraw within 3 days of the first session
  • After 3 Days: No refunds available due to group commitment and materials provided

5.4 Online Course Refund Policy

For self-paced online courses:

  • 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Full refund available within 30 days of purchase if you've completed less than 25% of the course
  • After 25% completion or 30 days, no refunds are available

5.5 Digital Product Refund Policy

Digital products (PDFs, audio packs, workbooks) are non-refundable once downloaded, except in cases of technical errors or incorrect product delivery.

5.6 EU Right of Withdrawal

Customers in the European Union have a 14-day right of withdrawal for purchases. However, this right is waived if you begin using the Service (start a lesson, access course materials) before the 14-day period expires. By starting the Service, you expressly request immediate performance and acknowledge that you lose your right of withdrawal.

5.7 Refund Processing

Approved refunds are processed within 5-10 business days and issued to the original payment method. Processing times may vary depending on your bank or card issuer.

6. Lesson Scheduling and Attendance

6.1 Scheduling

Private lessons must be scheduled through our booking system. Lesson times are subject to instructor availability. We recommend scheduling lessons at least 48 hours in advance.

6.2 Cancellation and Rescheduling

  • 24+ Hours Notice: Free cancellation or rescheduling
  • Less than 24 Hours: Lesson credit forfeited (counts as used)
  • Instructor Cancellation: Full lesson credit retained, reschedule at no charge
  • No-Show: Lesson credit forfeited

6.3 Technical Requirements

You are responsible for ensuring you have a stable internet connection, working camera/microphone, and compatible device for online lessons. Technical issues on your end do not entitle you to a refund or rescheduling unless we cannot reasonably accommodate your situation.

7. Intellectual Property Rights

7.1 Our Content

All content on the Platform, including courses, lessons, videos, text, graphics, logos, images, audio, software, and other materials (collectively, “Content”), is owned by Grace Chinese or our licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

7.2 Limited License

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use our Content solely for your personal, non-commercial educational purposes. You may not:

  • Copy, reproduce, distribute, or publicly display our Content
  • Modify, create derivative works, or reverse engineer our Platform
  • Download or record video lessons (except for explicitly downloadable materials)
  • Share your account credentials or access with others
  • Use our Content for commercial purposes or resale
  • Remove copyright notices or proprietary markings

7.3 User-Generated Content

If you submit feedback, suggestions, or other materials to us, you grant us a worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, and incorporate such materials into our Services without compensation.

7.4 Copyright Infringement

We respect intellectual property rights. If you believe any Content infringes your copyright, please contact us at [email protected] with detailed information about the alleged infringement.

8. Referral Program

8.1 Program Overview

Grace Chinese offers a referral program that allows registered users to earn commissions by referring new customers to our Services. Participation in the referral program is subject to these Terms and the specific rules outlined below.

8.2 Eligibility

To participate in the referral program, you must:

  • Have a valid Grace Chinese account in good standing
  • Be at least 18 years old or the age of majority in your jurisdiction
  • Comply with all applicable laws regarding referral marketing and disclosures
  • Not be an employee, contractor, or affiliate of Grace Chinese

8.3 Commission Structure

Referrers earn commissions based on a tiered system. Commission rates and tier thresholds are displayed in your Referral Dashboard and may be adjusted from time to time:

  • Bronze Tier: Entry level commission rate on referred purchases
  • Silver Tier: Increased commission rate after meeting conversion threshold
  • Gold Tier: Higher commission rate for active referrers
  • Partner Tier: Maximum commission rate for top performers

Current commission rates and tier requirements are always displayed in your Referral Dashboard. Commissions are calculated on the net purchase amount (excluding taxes, fees, and any discounts applied). Trial classes, free resources, and promotional items do not generate commissions.

8.4 Commission Confirmation and Holding Period

To protect against refunds and fraudulent activity, all commissions are subject to a holding periodfrom the date of the referred purchase (duration as displayed in your Dashboard). During this period, commissions remain in “pending” status.

  • If the referred customer requests a refund within the holding period, the pending commission is canceled
  • After the holding period without a refund, the commission becomes “confirmed” and eligible for payout
  • Chargebacks or payment disputes at any time may result in commission reversal

8.5 Payout Terms and Security

Payouts are processed according to the following terms:

  • Payout Schedule: Monthly, at the end of each calendar month
  • Minimum Threshold: A minimum balance is required to request a payout, as displayed in your Referral Dashboard (thresholds may vary by tier level)
  • Payment Methods: PayPal or bank transfer (availability varies by region)
  • Processing Time: Processing times are displayed at the time of payout request and may vary based on security review requirements
  • Request Limit: Payout requests are rate-limited to prevent abuse; current limits are displayed in your Dashboard
  • You are responsible for all taxes on referral income in your jurisdiction

8.6 Payout Security and Verification

To protect against fraud and unauthorized access, we implement the following security measures:

  • Payment Settings Lock: You cannot change payment settings while a payout is pending or processing
  • Security Review: Payouts may be subject to manual review, especially for first-time payouts, large amounts, or if unusual activity is detected
  • IP Tracking: We log IP addresses and device information for payout requests for security and fraud prevention
  • Recent Changes Flag: Payout requests made shortly after changing payment settings may require additional review (cooldown period as configured by system)
  • Identity Verification: We may request identity verification for large payouts (threshold amount as configured by system) or suspicious activity

If our security systems flag a payout request for manual review, processing time may be extended. You will be notified via email if additional verification is required. Current processing times and thresholds are always displayed in your Dashboard at the time of request.

8.7 Prohibited Practices

The following practices are prohibited and may result in immediate termination from the referral program and forfeiture of all pending commissions:

  • Self-referrals or using multiple accounts to generate referral commissions
  • Spamming, unsolicited messaging, or any form of harassment to promote your referral link
  • Misleading or deceptive advertising about Grace Chinese services
  • Using paid advertising on brand terms (“Grace Chinese”) without written permission
  • Cookie stuffing, link cloaking with malicious intent, or other technical manipulation
  • Referring customers who you know intend to request refunds
  • Creating fake accounts or purchases to generate commissions

8.8 Program Modifications and Termination

Grace Chinese reserves the right to:

  • Modify commission rates, tier requirements, or payout terms with 30 days' notice
  • Terminate the referral program entirely with 30 days' notice
  • Immediately suspend or remove any participant who violates these terms
  • Reverse or withhold commissions in cases of suspected fraud or abuse

In the event of program termination, confirmed commissions will still be paid out according to standard terms. Pending commissions at the time of termination will be processed normally through their 30-day holding period.

9. User Conduct and Responsibilities

You agree to use our Services responsibly and not to:

  • Violate any laws, regulations, or third-party rights
  • Harass, abuse, threaten, or discriminate against instructors or other users
  • Share inappropriate, offensive, or harmful content
  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or other user accounts
  • Interfere with or disrupt the Platform's functionality
  • Use automated tools (bots, scrapers) without our written permission
  • Impersonate others or misrepresent your affiliation
  • Engage in fraudulent activity, including payment fraud or coupon abuse

9. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

9.1 Service “As Is”

Our Services are provided “as is” and “as available” without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

9.2 No Guarantee of Results

While we strive to provide high-quality educational content, we do not guarantee specific learning outcomes, language proficiency levels, or exam results. Your progress depends on many factors including your effort, dedication, and prior experience.

9.3 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Grace Chinese and its instructors, employees, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, or goodwill, arising from your use of our Services.

Our total liability to you for any claims arising from these Terms or your use of our Services shall not exceed the amount you paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim.

9.4 Third-Party Services

We use third-party services (Stripe, Zoom, etc.) and are not responsible for their performance, availability, or security. Your use of third-party services is subject to their respective terms and policies.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Grace Chinese, its instructors, employees, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from: (a) your violation of these Terms, (b) your use or misuse of our Services, (c) your violation of any third-party rights, or (d) any content you submit or share through our Platform.

11. Termination

11.1 By You

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us at [email protected] or deleting your account from your account settings. Termination does not entitle you to a refund except as outlined in our refund policy.

11.2 By Us

We may suspend or terminate your account and access to Services immediately, without notice, if you violate these Terms or engage in fraudulent or harmful activity. We are not liable for any loss or damage resulting from such termination.

11.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination, your right to use our Services ceases immediately. Provisions regarding intellectual property, limitation of liability, indemnification, and dispute resolution survive termination.

12. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

12.1 Informal Resolution

If you have a dispute with us, please contact us at [email protected] first to attempt informal resolution. We will make good-faith efforts to resolve the issue within 30 days.

12.2 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of [Your Jurisdiction - to be determined], without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

12.3 Jurisdiction

You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in [Your Jurisdiction - to be determined] for any disputes arising from these Terms or our Services.

13. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our Services, legal requirements, or business practices. We will notify you of material changes by email or through a prominent notice on our Platform at least 14 days before the changes take effect.

Your continued use of our Services after changes constitute acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must stop using our Services and may request account deletion.

14. General Provisions

14.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Grace Chinese regarding your use of our Services.

14.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.

14.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.

14.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations without restriction.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding these Terms of Service, please contact us:

Note: These Terms of Service should be reviewed by a qualified attorney before production deployment to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in your jurisdiction, including proper governing law and jurisdiction clauses.