Terms of Service

Effective March 2, 2026

Contents

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Mandarin Learning Center ("MLC") student portal at portal.mandarinlearningcenter.com (the "Portal"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the Portal or our services.

By creating an account, making a purchase, or continuing to use the Portal after changes to these Terms are posted, you acknowledge and accept the most current version of these Terms.

2. Description of Services

The Mandarin Learning Center provides Mandarin Chinese language tutoring and educational services. Through the Portal, users may:

  • Schedule and attend one-on-one or group tutoring sessions (online or in-person)
  • Purchase tutoring minutes and learning materials through the online store
  • Access online curriculum, courses, lessons, and exams
  • Use interactive flashcard decks for study and review
  • Track academic progress, session history, and account balances
  • Receive messages and announcements from MLC staff
  • View excursion photos and newsletters

MLC reserves the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the services at any time with reasonable notice.

3. Account Registration & Responsibilities

To use the Portal, you must create an account by providing accurate and complete information, including a display name and valid email address. You may also register using a Google account.

You are responsible for:

  • Maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials
  • All activity that occurs under your account
  • Keeping your account information accurate and up to date
  • Notifying MLC immediately if you suspect unauthorized access to your account

You may not share your account with others, create multiple accounts, or use another person's account without authorization. MLC reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.

4. Tutoring Minutes & Account Balance

Student accounts operate on a two-balance system:

  • Tutoring Minutes: Prepaid time available for tutoring sessions. Minutes are deducted when a tutor logs a completed session. Minutes do not expire but are non-refundable once purchased.
  • Money on Account: A cash balance that can be used to purchase minutes packs and learning materials from the MLC store.

Auto Top-Up

If you enable Auto Top-Up, MLC may automatically purchase minutes on your behalf when your balance falls below your chosen threshold after a tutoring session. Auto Top-Up will first use any existing money on your account, then charge your saved payment method up to your specified maximum. You may enable, disable, or adjust Auto Top-Up settings at any time through the Portal.

Custom Rates

Some students may have individualized hourly rates. Your rate, if different from the standard rate, will be reflected in your store pricing.

5. Payments & Billing

All payments are processed securely through Stripe, a PCI-compliant third-party payment processor. MLC does not store your credit card numbers or full payment details on its own servers.

By making a payment, you agree that:

  • All pricing is listed in US Dollars (USD)
  • Prices for minutes packs, materials, and courses are subject to change with notice
  • You are responsible for any applicable taxes
  • Failed payment attempts may result in limited access to services

Refunds

Refund requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. Please contact MLC directly to discuss refund eligibility. Tutoring minutes that have already been used in sessions are not eligible for refund. Digital course access, once granted, is generally non-refundable.

6. Cancellation Policy

Students must provide at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule a tutoring session. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice may be recorded on your account.

Repeated cancellations without adequate notice may result in scheduling restrictions or other measures at MLC's discretion.

7. Code of Conduct

All users of the Portal and MLC services agree to:

  • Treat tutors, staff, and fellow students with respect and courtesy
  • Attend sessions on time and prepared to learn
  • Use the Portal and its features for their intended educational purposes
  • Refrain from uploading or sharing offensive, harmful, or inappropriate content
  • Not attempt to access other users' accounts or data
  • Not interfere with or disrupt the Portal's functionality

Violations of this Code of Conduct may result in warnings, suspension, or termination of your account.

8. Intellectual Property

All content available through the Portal, including but not limited to curriculum materials, course content, lesson plans, exam questions, flashcard decks, tutor-created custom decks, grammar resources, excursion newsletters, and software, is the property of the Mandarin Learning Center or its licensors and is protected by applicable copyright and intellectual property laws.

You may not:

  • Copy, reproduce, or distribute MLC materials without written permission
  • Share course content, exam questions, or curriculum materials with non-students
  • Use MLC content for commercial purposes
  • Record tutoring sessions without prior consent from all participants

9. Online Curriculum & Courses

MLC offers online courses that may be purchased through the store. Access to purchased courses is granted to the purchasing student only and is non-transferable.

Courses may include units, lessons, slides, exams, and remedial content. Your progress through courses is tracked and visible to MLC staff. Exam results and mastery levels are recorded for educational purposes.

MLC reserves the right to update, modify, or retire course content at any time. Reasonable efforts will be made to notify affected students of significant changes.

10. Parent & Guardian Accounts

Parents and guardians may create accounts to view their linked children's progress, session history, and account information. By creating a parent account and linking it to a child's student account, you represent that you are the child's parent or legal guardian.

Parents and guardians are responsible for all activity on their child's student account, including purchases and session attendance. For children under 13, registration must be completed by a parent or guardian (see our Privacy Policy for COPPA compliance details).

11. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Mandarin Learning Center, its owners, employees, tutors, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of the Portal or services.

MLC's total liability for any claim arising from these Terms or your use of the services shall not exceed the amount you have paid to MLC in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim.

The Portal is provided "as is" and "as available." MLC does not warrant that the Portal will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of harmful components.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Mandarin Learning Center, its owners, employees, tutors, and agents from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to your use of the Portal, violation of these Terms, or infringement of any third party's rights.

13. Account Termination

You may request to close your account at any time by contacting MLC. Upon account closure:

  • Any remaining tutoring minutes are forfeited unless a refund is approved
  • Any remaining money on account may be refunded at MLC's discretion
  • Access to purchased courses and materials will be revoked
  • Your academic records may be retained as described in our Privacy Policy

MLC reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts for violations of these Terms, extended inactivity, or any conduct that MLC deems harmful to other users or the business.

14. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Oregon, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the services shall be resolved in the courts of Washington County, Oregon.

15. Changes to Terms

MLC reserves the right to update these Terms at any time. When we make changes, we will update the "Effective" date at the top of this page and may notify you via email or a Portal announcement.

Your continued use of the Portal after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree with the changes, you should discontinue use of the Portal and contact us to close your account.

16. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

17. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: