Terms and conditions

See also our Privacy Policy and our Cookie Policy.

Admission

Minimum age

The minimum age is 18.

Course level

We offer classes from Elementary to Advanced level. Please note that we do not accept absolute beginners. We do not have suitable courses for beginner students and Everest Language School reserves the right to refuse or cancel an enrolment if a student is at a beginner level of English.

Course

A full-time course consists of 15, 20 or 26 tuition lessons, 60 minutes each. Full-time courses always start on a Monday and finish on a Friday (Except in case of public holidays). It is not possible to start a course mid week.

Course Fees

Our course fees include tuition, placement test, access to free activities, Wi-Fi and end of course certificate. A course registration fee of €35 is applicable to all courses. All fees must be paid in full prior to the student’s arrival.

Accommodation

Please make sure you provide the exact arrival/departure dates when booking with us. Any change made after a booking is confirmed may cause changes in your accommodation type, accommodation cost or even the cancellation of your accommodation.

All accommodation bookings with Everest Language School are subject to an accommodation booking fee of €50. Homestay accommodation is based on a 7-night stay starting on Saturday and shared student accommodation is based on a 7-night stay starting on Sunday.

Everest Language School cannot guarantee availability in the chosen accommodation if the student arrives on a different date.

Students who are residing in host family accommodation over Christmas will be transferred to residential accommodation for 2 weeks.

Accommodation, both residential and homestay, is always subject to availability and cannot always be guaranteed. It is recommended to book accommodation at least 12 weeks in advance. Once accommodation is confirmed we can only guarantee a place for the duration and the dates initially booked, i.e., Everest Language School cannot guarantee accommodation if the student changes the dates of his/her course or if the student decides to extend the stay.

Student requests related to accommodation will always be taken into consideration, and our accommodation team will do their best to meet them. Accommodation within close proximity to the school or private bathroom is very limited and cannot be guaranteed.

Homestay and residential accommodation require compliance with a set of guidelines set out by Everest Language School, the host families, our partner organisations and the residence management. Failure to comply with accommodation rules and guidelines may result in eviction without compensation or transfer. For further details, please contact the school. Host family accommodation is located between 40 and 60 minutes from the school.

Visa

Non-EEA students should contact their local Irish Embassy for visa requirements. Everest Language School cannot give any guarantees for successful visa applications and can only process applications from a limited number of countries.

Required documents to apply for a student visa will only be sent once full payment has been received.

Non-EEA students enrolled in the Academic Year Programme, who need to register with the GNIB (Garda National Immigration Bureau) once in Ireland, must be aware of the following:

• It is the student’s/Educational Tour Operator’s (ETO’s) responsibility to book an appointment with the GNIB to process the visa accordingly before the expiry of the entry visa. Everest Language School provides guidance and support with any visa-related questions but the school cannot book appointments for students.
• It is the student’s/ETO’s responsibility to provide the school with all necessary and updated personal student information for a timely and correct provision of student and visa documents.
• It is the student’s responsibility to keep these documents in a safe place.
• If the date and time of the GNIB appointment overlaps with class time, the student must forward the application email to the school to be excused from class.
• The student commits to meeting all immigration requirements, such as keeping good attendance rates and sitting the end-of-course exit exam. The end-of-course exit exam fee is non-refundable.

IMPORTANT: Students who need to apply for a visa before entering Ireland should not start their course in the first week (January) or final two weeks (December) of our academic year. Please contact the school for the academic calendar and more information on the dates. Students should allow 3 months for their visa application to be processed.

Insurance

Everest holds insurance as required by Irish law. Everest does not provide travel insurance for students. Before arrival all persons participating in Everest programmes should arrange their own insurance against all expenses that might arise due to accident, illness, loss of luggage, personal effects and money.

All students are advised to take out private medical insurance. Non-EU students can purchase medical insurance through Everest Language School. Insurance is provided through a third-party company and any claims need to be made by the student (insurance holder) to the insurance company directly. Everest Language School is not part of any claim application process.

Students from the EU should travel to Ireland with their European Health Insurance Card to cover public medical care.

Non-EU students must purchase Learner Protection Insurance with Everest Language School. This is included in your fees.

Enrolment

Enrolment Dates

New students should refer to their enrolment confirmation for course and accommodation dates. Please note that the invoice may not reflect the course dates but the date of enrolment. Students on full-time courses can only start on Mondays (or Tuesday in case of a public holiday Monday).

Confirmations

All bookings must be made using the course names in the Everest Language School offer documents (brochure / website). Everest will provisionally confirm acceptance of all bookings in writing (letter / email / receipt). A booking cannot be considered to have been accepted by Everest unless it has been paid in full and confirmed in writing.

Once a booking has been sent to and confirmed by Everest the client agrees to be bound by the booking and cancellation conditions of Everest.

Supplements/amendments

Any additional chargeable supplements will be specified at the time of booking. Any items not specifically included in the course as a standard item are subject to availability. Any items not specifically included in the course must be requested in writing and must be confirmed in writing by the Everest administration office before they will be deemed to be part of the course booking.

Continuity of Enrolment

Enrolment of a current student will be terminated if:

• The student or their ETO notifies Everest Language School of his/her wish to terminate their enrolment;
• The student withdraws from their nominated course;
• Everest Language School terminates the student’s enrolment or suspends or excludes the student in accordance with the provisions of our Policies and Procedures; Or
• The student has completed all course requirements.

Refusal and Cancellation of Enrolment

Everest Language School may cancel an enrolment, refuse to enrol, or refuse to re-enrol a person/ student for the following reasons:

• Beginner level of English
• Misconduct (refer to the section on Code of Behaviour);
• Failure to satisfy the minimum academic requirements for courses chosen;
• Failure to arrive on the commencement date;
• The student has gained admission by misrepresentation, falsification of documents or other fraudulent means;
• Failure to fulfil the normal admission or enrolment requirements;
• Non-payment of tuition fees and/or accommodation fees;
• Cancellation of a student’s visa;
• Non-attendance or consistently low attendance;
• The course is cancelled due to low enrollment numbers;
• Other reasons as deemed by the school’s management.

Medical & Special Educational Needs

It is the student’s responsibility to notify Everest Language School of any sickness, disability, allergy, mental health condition, special educational needs, or any other relevant medical information that might affect the student’s stay at Everest Language School. Students must provide up-to-date medical information at the time of booking and inform the school of any subsequent changes.

Everest reserves the right to send students home if, in the opinion of the Everest management, a medical condition makes continuing a course of study untenable. In this case a refund/credit note will be issued at the discretion of Everest management.

Pricing Policy

All prices are subject to change, terms of individual special offers and discounts can be found on the Everest website. It is the responsibility of the client to ensure that they are aware of the current price for the course being booked. Everest reserves the right to alter prices at any time of the year. A once off registration fee is added to all course bookings and all accommodation bookings.

Everest Language School is committed to a fair competition policy between partners selling Everest Language School courses in the market. We insist on partners promoting and selling at the prices advertised by Everest Language School. Everest Language School will advise the partner ETO of any misuse of our pricing policy as unfair competition in the market. This may also result in the reduction of the ETO discount or the termination of the partnership agreement.

Payment

All course fees should be paid in full at least 30 days prior to the student commencing their course and accommodation.

Services will only be provided once payment has been received. Payment may be made by:

• Bank draft
• Cash
• Cheque (only cheques issued by an Irish bank are acceptable)
• Bank transfer

All payments should be notified to Everest by email quoting the Everest reference number of the client.

Varying additional fees will be added by banks and credit card providers. Please note all bank charges are the responsibility of the client. Everest will strive to make all such additions known to clients before payment.

For non-EEA students who require a visa before entering Ireland:

For visa required students, payment must be made at least 30 days before the course commences so we can prepare the student visa documents. Please note that some visa applications need to be made several months in advance, and the payment must be made accordingly. Students or their ETOs are responsible for applying for a student visa well in advance to make sure the visa will be granted and received before the student’s departure. Failure to comply may result in postponement or cancellation charges.

Acceptance letters are only issued after full payment is received by Everest Language School.

Please note in accordance with Irish immigration law your payment will be held in a separate account until your visa application has been approved.

Cancellation Policy

Everest retains the right to cancel courses, merge or close tuition classes or arrange tuition classes in the morning or afternoon depending on student numbers. If a course is shortened by Everest after commencement, unused fees will be refunded.

Everest will not extend courses free of charge if the student is absent for any period during the course.

Late arrival does not entitle the student to any extension without payment of the appropriate fee.

Courses are transferable at the discretion of the management, but may not be transferred to another student.

Course cancellations and amendments

All cancellations must be notified in writing. If a cancellation is made more than 30 days in advance of the start of a course Everest will offer a full refund of course fees.*

If a cancellation is made less than 30 days before the start of the course, Everest will keep the €35 registration fee. The course fee will be refunded in full.*

If a cancellation is made less than 15 days before the start of the course, Everest will keep the €35 registration fee and the first week of course fees.*

If a cancellation is made less than 7 days before the start of the course, Everest will keep the €35 registration fee and the first 2 weeks of course fees.*

If a cancellation is made less than 48 hours before the start of the course or after the course has commenced, the student will not be eligible for a refund.

Individual lessons (one-to-one) must be cancelled or amended at least 48 hours in advance or they will not be refunded or rescheduled.

*In case of visa refusal, the funds less €200 administration cost will be refunded to you within 20 working days. All visa refusals must be notified to the school in writing and you must provide a copy of the refusal letter signed by Irish Immigration Authorities.

Amendments must be requested in writing at least 30 days before the original course start date, the amendment will be made after the administration staff checks the availability on Everest courses if there is space for the student.

If the amendment request is made less than 30 days before the start date the student will be charged cancellation fees from the original course start date.

Everest Language School will not be liable in any way to the student in the event of services,

contracted to be supplied by Everest Language school, becoming impossible to supply due

to circumstances beyond the control of Everest Language School. These circumstances

include, but are not limited to, public health emergencies, industrial action or extreme weather (status RED) warnings or other emergency or hazardous conditions beyond the control of Everest Language School that may severely impact the normal operations of the School. Everest Language School will not reschedule or refund classes missed due to such circumstances.

Putting a course on hold

In exceptional cases, a course can be put on hold for up to 12 months after the date the student was registered. There will be no extra charge or increase in fees if the school is notified at least 30 days in advance of the course start.

If a course is postponed less than 30 days in advance of the course start date a postponement fee of €200 will be charged. This fee will be charged without exceptions, also in the case of visa refusals. Please contact the school for further details.

If a course is postponed for more than 12 months from the date the student was registered, the regular cancellation fees apply and the booking will be treated as a new booking, i.e. new fees (course, accommodation, registration and placement fees, insurance and exam fee) will apply, if applicable.

Postponed courses are not eligible for promotions running at the time of postponement, but the original fees apply.

If a course with a past promotion is postponed in line with the postponement periods, and part(s) of the promotion are not available anymore, the student can make use of any promotion that may currently be on offer or request a refund.

Accommodation Cancellation and amendments

If a cancellation is made less than 30 days before the start of the accommodation, Everest will retain the €50 accommodation fee and the first 3 weeks of the accommodation will be charged, the remainder will be refunded.

Amendments received less than 30 days before the expected arrival date will be charged from the original arrival date. Any amendments to accommodation start dates may result in an increase in weekly rate.

All types of accommodation are subject to the rules set by the partner provider. Students must respect these rules at all times. Breaking any of these rules will result in disciplinary measures being taken and may ultimately result in expulsion with no refund or a fine.

Last minute cancellations and ‘no shows’

No refund will be available for course, accommodation or fees if cancellation is made within 48 hours of the start of course or arrival in accommodation or once the course or accommodation has started.

In a case where an individual makes a fraudulent application Everest will make no refund.

Enrolled Learner Protection insurance

Everest Language School has approval to offer students learner protection insurance, Learner Protection insurance is only in place when each student receives their certificate.

Airport Pickup Cancellation

If a student does not arrive at the airport due to a cancelled or missed flight without notifying Everest Language School, no refund of the airport pickup fees can be made.

Disputes

Damage

Students are liable for any damage caused by them in Everest or in provided accommodation and payment for such damage must be made immediately.

Discipline

All students will be informed of Everest school rules and policies at the commencement of all courses. Breaches of Everest rules of conduct will result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate expulsion for serious offences. If a student is expelled from Everest or accommodation provided by Everest there will be no refund or credit under any circumstances.

Complaint and grievance procedure

Stage 1: Informal Resolution

Students are encouraged to raise minor issues immediately at reception or with their teacher. Many issues (e.g., Wi-Fi access or classroom temperature) can be resolved instantly by the Student Support Assistant or Administrative Intern.

Stage 2: Formal Internal Complaint

If an issue remains unresolved, it must be brought to the attention of the relevant manager while the complainant is still in Ireland:

• Academic Grievances: (e.g., Level placement, teaching quality, resources) are directed to the Director of Studies (Jessica Cochran) or the Academic Coordinator (Oliva Rule).
• Operational/Financial Grievances: (e.g., Bookings, payments, accommodation) are directed to the School Director (Rob McComish) or the Admissions Manager (Sean Newman).

Note on Accommodation: Grievances regarding third-party housing are subject to the specific refund/cancellation policies of that provider. Everest acts as a mediator to secure the best outcome.

Stage 3: Management Review

If the student is dissatisfied with the initial departmental response, the School Director will conduct a final internal review. A written response will be provided within 5 working days.

Stage 4: External Appeal

If the internal grievance process has been exhausted and the student remains dissatisfied with the outcome, they may appeal to our national representative body:

• External Body: English Education Ireland (EEI)
• Contact: info@englisheducationireland.ie

Holiday Policy

Tuition and Public Holidays

Public Holidays in Ireland (No tuition is given on public holidays and no compensation will be offered)

• January 1st
• First Monday in February
• March 17th (or following Monday)
• Easter Monday
• First Monday in May
• First Monday in June
• First Monday in August
• Last Monday in October
• December 25th & 26th

We close for one or two weeks over the Christmas break (depending on what day Christmas falls).

Holiday Policy for students on a work-study visa

Students cannot take holidays before starting their programmes and holidays cannot exceed one third of the total weeks they have studied. When they enrol in a programme, the school will give them a written timetable that outlines their holiday arrangements.

The following outlines the total number of weeks that must be attended before holidays can be taken:

On enrollment, non-EEA students will be given a detailed timetable where the following will be clearly identify:

• Course dates
• Daily and weekly tuition times
• Holiday breaks

This information will be included in the acceptance letter that the student will receive on confirmation of enrollment and that will be shown at the GNIB office during the student’s registration.

Registration For Exams And Recording Of Grades

Student progress is monitored in the form of weekly class tests and students’ progress across programmes towards their learning goal as their level of English improves. Students are required to take a progress test in order to progress from one level to the next. All scores are recorded in the student’s file.

All Academic Year students must sit a recognised exam at the end of the English language programme. This is a requirement of their stamp 2 immigration permission and the cost of this exam is included in the fees they have paid. They will be asked for proof of this exam when they renew their immigration permission.

Privacy

Photos and footage

We may use photos or footage taken of students at events or at school for promotional purposes. If you do not wish us to do so, please inform an Everest member of management.

Information

Everest will keep records of students’ personal information and their academic progress. Everest works with researchers in Trinity College Dublin. If a student does not want their information stored or used in research they should make us aware.

Tardiness, Absenteeism And Expulsion

All students are required to arrive on time for class and to remain in class until the end of that class. Students who arrive more than 15 minutes late for class, for the first or second half period, or who leave the class more than 15 minutes before the end of class will be marked absent for the entire duration of the correspondent period. Students who arrive more than 20 minutes late for class will not be allowed to join the class until the break.

Student sick leave

If a student is absent due to illness they must inform the school by emailing the administration staff of the school on the first and each subsequent day of absence. A doctor’s cert must be presented to the administration on the first day of return to class and a record of such must be made in the student file. Failure to produce a valid medical cert explaining absenteeism will result in the commencement of disciplinary procedures outlined above.

Policies and procedures in the case of student disciplinary action and expulsion

Everest endeavours to resolve any conflict or issue that arises in a timely manner on a case by case basis, however in certain cases the school disciplinary procedure may come into effect.

Everest maintains a zero tolerance policy regarding aggressive behaviour and we require that all school rules as outlined in the student handbook are respected. In the event that the school rules are broken or that regulations regarding attendance are not upheld the procedure for disciplinary action must formally proceed according to the following steps:

• A verbal warning will be issued to the student by either the Director of Studies, the Student Support Manager or the School Director in the presence of one of the other two. This warning will be noted in the disciplinary file and a written record of such will be issued to the student. A case of attendance falling below 85% will result in such a verbal warning.
• If at any point it will not be possible for a student to bring their attendance level up to 85% by the end of their course the student will be informed that they have not met the attendance requirement and this will be communicated to the INIS.
• A first written warning will be issued to the student. A case of attendance falling below 80% will result in such a written warning.
• A final written warning will be issued to the student. A case of attendance falling below 70% will result in such a written warning.
• After the second warning, if a student’s attendance continues to drop below 70% and they have received all warnings, their booking will be suspended for 2 weeks. After these 2 weeks they will be expected to come to the office to discuss their attendance. From then on they must attend all classes or be permanently removed from the class register. Expulsion is a very last resort and will be reported to INIS immediately.
• If a student has 25% or more uncertified absence in the first six weeks of their programme, this will be communicated to the INIS.

Note – in extreme circumstances, where a student’s behaviour poses a threat to themselves, other students or members of staff, they may be suspended from school with immediate effect, subject to an investigation and expelled without the aforementioned steps being completed.

Further Conditions

• Bookings are not confirmed until official enrollment confirmation is provided by Everest Language School’s email and only once all fees have been received.
• Final registration and provision of pre-arrival information for each student are only confirmed upon receipt of full payment of fees.
• Everest Language School does not accept responsibility for costs incurred due to flight delays or cancellations.
• Everest Language School does not take responsibility for loss or theft of belongings.
• Refunds, partial refunds, or compensation of any kind will not be given for Public Holidays, for days missed during the course, for late arrival or early departure, days missed due to adverse weather conditions, acts of governments, interruption of electrical power, fire, floods, war, other natural disasters, disease outbreaks or other Acts of Gods.
• During peak times classes may be held at additional premises and may run at different times.
• If a student wishes to return to their home country or take holidays elsewhere during the term of their English Language Programme, they are free to do so in line with our holiday policy, but no credit will be given for missed study time.
• If students are unable to attend lessons due to illness, these sick days will not be added to the end of the course period.
• Students will only be excused from class in case of illness or to attend their appointment at the immigration office. No other reasons will be taken into consideration and the student will be marked as absent. Under no circumstances the student will obtain credit or a refund for missed study time.
• If a student breaks any laws, behaves in an inappropriate way in the school or the school’s accommodation or accommodation provided by the school’s partners or on a school social activity (intimidation, bullying, sexual harassment, intoxication, destructive behaviour, etc) they will be summoned to a meeting with a school manager, disciplinary measures will be implemented up to expulsion from the school and accommodation without refund.
• If a student breaks any laws or behaves in an inappropriate way via electronic communication (direct messages, online comments, emails, texts, etc) they will be summoned to a meeting with a school manager, disciplinary measures will be implemented up to expulsion from the school and accommodation without refund.
• For educational purposes only, Everest Language School may record students in virtual classes. By booking a course students authorise and permit Everest Language School to make recordings that include the student in the digital classroom and to use these recordings solely for educational purposes, such as the creation of a student or teacher portfolio, or for teacher self-reflection, without further consent from or payment to the student.
• The school is not wheelchair accessible.

For most up-to-date terms and conditions, please visit our website: http://everestlanguageschool.com/terms-conditions/

Everest Language School Ltd. is an independent company registered in Dublin. Registration number: 3330946KH

Everest Language School operates from one location: 26 Merrion Square North, Dublin 2