For good cooperation with my students and to focus on teaching rather than problem-solving or administration, I have defined the following rules of cooperation:
- I invoice my lessons in advance. You choose whether to pay for 5 or 10 lessons and then take them. When you have used them up, I will invoice the same number of lessons again.
- Paid invoices are non-refundable.
- Each paid lesson has a validity period of 2 weeks. Example: if you pay for 5 courses, you have 10 weeks to use them up. Why? Because I don’t want someone to come back when I am no longer available. However, with students who announce an absence or communicate about illness, I have no problem adapting within my availability.
- You may cancel a lesson free of charge according to the rules indicated on the invoice. Upon later cancellation, I count that lesson as taken. Why? Because you have deprived me of the possibility to offer my time to another student… and because late cancellation has a negative impact on my mood… and my mood is essential to the quality of my lessons. Yes, I am vulnerable to poor behavior. No shame in that.
- These rules are mentioned on every invoice in one way or another, so you cannot ignore them. If you pay the invoice, I consider that you have accepted them.
- COMPANIES can abide by these rules OR sign a contract that I am happy to provide.
My paramount rule for cooperation is that I want to have good relationships with my students, but I won’t let anyone take advantage of me. So here are the additional rules defined by experience and necessity:
- I teach from 8 AM to 7 PM on weekdays, and I need a proper lunch break (Yes, I am French). I will always do my best to accommodate you, but some time slots are in high demand, so no, I am not likely to be available after 5 PM. Already taken.
- You are, of course, always free to stop the courses or take a break. If you take a break, you must take into account that I may give your time slot to someone else. Non-recoverable.
- When I offer a first contact lesson free of charge, you need to have a very good reason not to show up. I won’t offer you another one. Fool me once…
- No, I don’t reschedule late-cancelled lessons. You have taken up one hour of my time. I won’t give you another one for free.
- I increase my pricing regularly, about a year after the start of our cooperation or after your last price increase. Prices go up for everyone.