THE FRENCH BOOK CLUB - TERMS OF SERVICE

Effective Date for the New Terms of Service: February 9, 2026.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Our cancellation and refund policy has been revised effective February 9, 2026. These updated terms apply to all courses beginning on for the Spring 2026 session. Courses that begin before this date remain subject to our previous policy.

By purchasing or registering for any course offered by The French Book Club, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

The French Book Club offers online courses in French and Francophone literature for students of French who wish to continue learning the language through literature.

Course Format:

  • Live, synchronous sessions held at a set time and day each week

  • Each session runs for 1.5 hours

  • Course duration varies from 3 to 14 weeks

  • Total course hours range from 4.5 to 21 hours

  • Maximum class size: 12 students

  • Minimum enrollment: 4 students (see Section 4 for details)

How Courses Work:

  • Book selections are announced approximately 6 weeks before course start

  • Each week, students read assigned pages (clearly indicated for each course)

  • Students are NOT required to finish the entire book before the first class

  • Class discussions take place on Zoom via a link provided by the instructor

  • All courses operate on New York, NY, USA time (EST/EDT)

Materials:

  • The French Book Club does not supply books - students must purchase their own copies

  • We provide the book title, author, and specific edition to use

  • Additional resources (supplementary texts, podcasts, videos) are provided through Google Classroom

  • Access to Google Classroom is granted once registration is confirmed

  • No mandatory homework beyond the weekly reading assignment

2. PRICING AND PAYMENT

Currency: All prices displayed on the website are in US dollars. Payment in other currencies is accepted. Currency conversion fees, if any, are included in the displayed price and paid by The French Book Club.

Payment Security: All payment information is secured and anonymized according to PCI standards. The French Book Club does not have access to customer payment details.

3. PROMOTIONAL CODES AND DISCOUNTS

Regular Promotions: Promotional discounts are consistently offered and displayed directly on the website. Standard promotions typically run for two weeks following course announcement and newsletter dispatch.

First-Time Student Discount: New students may request a 10% promotional code for their first course by emailing contact@thefrenchbookclub.com. This discount cannot be combined with other promotional offers.

4. CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

FULL COURSE CANCELLATION (Student will attend NO sessions)

More than 7 days before course start date:

  • Full credit OR full refund (student's choice)

  • EXCEPTION: Courses purchased with promotional codes or discounts are eligible for CREDIT ONLY (no cash refund option)

  • Refunds: Platform processing fees (~3-4%) will be deducted

  • Credits: No fees deducted, full amount paid preserved, valid for one year

3-7 days before course start date:

  • 50% credit only (no refund option)

  • Valid for one year

Less than 3 days before course start date:

  • No credit or refund available

  • Exception: Medical emergency with documentation (case-by-case review)

COURSE WITHDRAWAL (After attending one or more sessions)

Course not suitable for student's level:

  • If you attend the first class session and determine the course level/content is not appropriate for you, you may request a credit for remaining sessions

  • The cost of the first session will be deducted

  • Must be requested within 48 hours of the first class session

Personal schedule conflicts or inability to continue:

  • The French Book Club does not provide credits or refunds for missed individual sessions due to personal scheduling conflicts, travel, illness, or other personal circumstances

  • Exception: Serious medical emergency requiring hospitalization or extended medical treatment (documentation required, case-by-case review)

Important note: This policy applies to all missed sessions, whether you notify the instructor in advance or not. We understand that life happens, but we cannot offer credits for individual missed sessions, as this would not be sustainable for our small educational business.

INSTRUCTOR-INITIATED CANCELLATION

Individual session cancelled:

  • Session will be rescheduled at a mutually convenient time, OR

  • Proportional credit will be issued for that session

Entire course cancelled:

  • Full refund OR full credit (student's choice)

Minimum enrollment not met (fewer than 4 students):

  • Students notified at least 7 days before scheduled start date

  • Full refund OR full credit (student's choice)

Course time/day changed:

  • Students notified at least 7 days in advance

  • Students unable to attend rescheduled course: Full credit or refund

PROCESSING FEES

  • Platform processing fees (typically 3-4% of transaction amount) are deducted from all refunds

  • Credits do not incur processing fees

  • Example: $114 purchase → refund of approximately $110 (after ~$4 in fees)

REQUESTING REFUNDS OR CREDITS

To request a refund or credit, contact:

Requests will be processed within 3-5 business days

5. TRIAL CLASSES

New students may request to attend one free trial session by contacting the instructor at contact@thefrenchbookclub.com. Trial sessions are subject to availability and must be requested at least 48 hours before the scheduled class.

6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND COURSE MATERIALS

All course materials, including but not limited to supplementary texts, videos, podcasts, discussion guides, and Google Classroom content, are the intellectual property of The French Book Club and are provided solely for registered students' personal educational use.

Students may not:

  • Record, reproduce, or distribute class sessions without explicit written permission

  • Share Google Classroom materials with non-registered individuals

  • Redistribute or resell any course materials

Classes are not recorded unless otherwise specified. If recordings are made available, they are for the exclusive use of registered students and may not be shared or distributed.

7. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Requirements:

  • Reliable internet connection capable of supporting Zoom video calls

  • Computer, tablet, or smartphone with camera and microphone

  • Zoom application installed and updated

  • An email account compatible with Google Classroom

Technical Issues: While The French Book Club strives to provide uninterrupted service, we are not responsible for technical difficulties caused by:

  • Student internet connectivity issues

  • Zoom platform outages or disruptions

  • Student device malfunctions

If technical issues prevent a class from being held, the session will be rescheduled or a proportional credit will be issued.

8. CODE OF CONDUCT

All students are expected to:

  • Treat the instructor and fellow students with respect

  • Participate constructively in discussions

  • Arrive on time to class sessions

  • Keep cameras on when possible to facilitate discussion

  • Maintain a distraction-free environment during class

The French Book Club reserves the right to remove any student who:

  • Engages in disruptive, discriminatory, or harassing behavior

  • Repeatedly arrives late or unprepared

  • Violates these Terms of Service

No refund will be provided for removal due to conduct violations.

9. PRIVACY POLICY

Newsletter Subscriptions: Students who subscribe to The French Book Club newsletter will receive:

  • Quarterly emails announcing new book selections (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)

  • A reminder email approximately 24 hours before promotional periods end

  • No more than 8-10 emails per year

Newsletter subscribers may unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link in any email or by contacting contact@thefrenchbookclub.com.

Data Collection: The French Book Club collects only the information necessary to provide our services (name, email address). We do not sell, rent, or share your information with third parties except as necessary to process payments.

10. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

The French Book Club provides educational services on an "as is" basis. While we strive for excellence, we cannot guarantee specific learning outcomes or language proficiency improvements.

The French Book Club's liability is limited to the amount paid for the specific course in question. We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from course participation or inability to participate.

11. MODIFICATIONS TO TERMS

The French Book Club reserves the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. Students will be notified of material changes via email at least 14 days before changes take effect. Continued use of our services after notification constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

12. CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding these Terms of Service or any aspect of The French Book Club:

Email: contact@thefrenchbookclub.com
Phone: +1 213 403 7661 (Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM EST)
Contact Form: Available directly on our website

13. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms of Service are governed by the laws of the State of California, United States, without regard to conflict of law provisions.