Social Programme

At the WLA we believe it is important for students to make friends and experience the rich cultural life that London offers. For this reason, we run an exceptional social programme at the Wimbledon Language Academy which seeks to cater for the tastes of all our students including regular theatre trips, social evenings, football matches and sightseeing trips.

The maximum class size is 25. Occasionally classes will rise above this number temporarily until students are allocated to other classes.
In every class there is a 15 minute break.
Each term normally lasts 3 months. At the end of each term your level and teacher may be changed.
Teachers sometimes fall ill. In this case we will try to provide a substitute. This is not always possible.
The school operates continuous enrolment which means students will join the class any Monday during each term.
Only English is to be spoken in the class. Students will be asked to leave the class if they repeatedly speak any other language after being warned by the teacher.
Students who cannot read or write Roman script: please note that we are unable to teach literacy in our group classes.

All students are entitled to:

Placement test
Certificate at the end of the course
Photocopies and supplementary material provided in the class
Computer use and internet
DVD and book library

General

The minimum age for enrolment is 16 (there is no maximum age).
Starting dates can only be changed once before the start of the course. A £10 administration fee will be charged for any further changes.
The school reserves the right to change teachers, times and rooms of courses.
The school reserves the right to alter dates, fees and any particulars without prior notice.
The school reserves the right to combine classes if numbers are low or close classes if numbers fall and place students in suitable other classes.
The school accepts no responsibility for personal injury or for the loss or damage to students’ personal property while on the school premises.

Attendance

If attendance falls below 80% a student may lose their place in the class and may have to continue in a different class or time. No refunds will be given and the Home Office will be informed. It is the responsibility of students to inform reception of all illnesses and holidays.

Fees

There is a registration fee. The registration fee covers the cost of all school letters, administrative help, and work involved with London transport discount forms and bank account applications.
It does not cover the cost of external examination fees, personal medical insurance, £5 London Transport fee, £5 bank account fee or social programme.
Fees are calculated by the week (even if there is a bank holiday or a student starts their course part way through a week). Course extensions are charged at the rate for the number of weeks of the extension, not a rate deduced by taking the sum of the extension and the number of weeks already studied.
Students are required to pay all bank transfer charges. Fees are not considered to have been paid until they have reached the account of the school; students are responsible for making sure that enough time is allowed.
Any discounts or special offers that a student may be entitled to must be claimed at the time of registration. Eligibility for any discount or special offer must be proven at the time of registration, otherwise fees shall be charged at the full rate. No refunds or special offers may be claimed after this time.
The cost of the leisure programme is not included in the course fees. On average the costs are as follows:
Theatre tickets: from £15, Cinema tickets from: £5.50, Football tickets from: £25, One day trip £10-£25

Holidays

The school is normally closed for 4 weeks during the year. Students on student visas are expected to use some of their holiday entitlement when the school is closed. For students on student visas the following holiday entitlement is allowed in addition to school holidays. Absence from the school during this entitlement will not affect a student’s attendance record.
1-12 weeks no holiday entitlement, 12 to 23 weeks 2 weeks holiday, 24 to 35 weeks 4 weeks holiday, 36 weeks and more 6 weeks holiday

Conduct and discipline

The school reserves the right to expel students if they physically or verbally abuse any other student or member of staff. They will be given two verbal and two written warnings and on the next incident they will be asked to leave. In the case of gross misconduct the student will be asked to leave immediately. No refunds will be given in this case. The school expects students to adhere to the standards we set.
Students have to pay for any damage they cause on the school premises or at their accommodation. Students will only receive a leaving certificate if their attendance has been 80% or more. Smoking is not permitted in the school building.

Refunds and cancellations

Refunds will only be given if a student is refused a student visa. We will require the copy of the visa refusal letter issued by the British Embassy or the photocopy of the passport with the entry refusal stamp.
We will keep 10% of the course fee and refund the remaining fee minus bank charges. Fees will not be refunded for a course, which has already finished. For failure to complete the course fees will not be refunded.
Fees and/or courses are not transferable to another student. Refunds may take up to 2 months from the date the original documentation has been received. Refunds will not be given if a student withdraws their visa application. Refunds will not be given if the student is asked to leave the country by the British Authorities. Refunds will not be given to students who are refused entry into the country at ports of entry without entry clearance as a student.
Accommodation booking fees and courier fees are non refundable. Airport transfers can be changed, postponed or cancelled with a minimum 1 week’s notice in writing.

Accommodation

Accommodation is arranged for students only while they are studying at the school. If you leave school early for any reason, you will be asked to leave your accommodation. All accommodation is subject to availability and early booking is advisable. The school’s accommodation service acts as an agent in introducing course participants to hosts. The contract is between guest and host. If your homestay accommodation involves extra days, you will be charged a daily rate for up to 4 days. More than 4 days will be charged at the full weekly rate.
If you are unhappy with your homestay accommodation the school will relocate you with a new family as soon as possible.
The school reserves the right to provide alternative accommodation should the student’s first choice not be available.
The school reserves the right to book accommodation through a host family agency if necessary.

Cancellation policy for Homestays

30 days or more prior to the arrival date, your fees will be refunded in full. Between 29 and 8 days, your fees will be refunded, minus 1 week. Between 7 days and 3 days, your fees will be refunded, minus 2 weeks. 2 days or less (including failure to advise of non arrival), your fees will be refunded minus 4 weeks.
All cancellations must be received during office hours Monday to Friday between 8.45 am and 6 pm. Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays are excluded (including the days between Christmas and New Year).