Terms of Service

1. About Headstart

Headstart Language Center ("Headstart", "we", "our", or "us") is an online marketplace that connects students with independent language tutors. We are registered and operating under Philippine law.

By accessing or using headstart.asia (the "Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account. Users under 18 may use the Platform only with verified parental or guardian consent. By creating an account you represent that all information you provide is accurate and complete.

3. User Accounts

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. Notify us immediately at support@headstart.asia if you suspect unauthorized access.

You may not transfer your account to any other person. You may not create multiple accounts to circumvent restrictions or policies.

4. Tutor Independence

Tutors on the Platform are independent contractors, not employees, agents, or partners of Headstart. Headstart does not control the content, method, or outcome of lessons. Any disputes between students and tutors must be resolved between the parties, with Headstart's dispute-resolution support available as described in Section 9.

5. Booking and Payment

All lesson fees are collected through the Platform's wallet system. Students fund their wallet in advance; funds are held securely and applied to confirmed bookings.

Trial lessons are priced at 50% of the tutor's regular hourly rate for the first 30 minutes, at the tutor's discretion.

Headstart retains a 20% platform fee on each completed lesson. The remaining 80% is credited to the tutor's pending balance.

6. Cancellation and Refund Policy

Students who cancel more than 24 hours before a scheduled lesson receive a full refund to their wallet.

Students who cancel between 2 and 24 hours before the lesson receive a 50% refund.

Students who cancel less than 2 hours before the lesson or fail to attend receive no refund.

Tutors who cancel a confirmed lesson for any reason must issue a full refund to the student. Repeated tutor cancellations may result in account suspension.

Refunds are credited to the student's Platform wallet. Withdrawals to external payment methods are subject to processing times.

7. Intellectual Property

Headstart owns all intellectual property in the Platform, including software, design, trademarks, and branding. You may not copy, modify, or distribute any part of the Platform without prior written consent.

Lesson recordings (where permitted by both parties) and AI-generated summaries belong to the student for personal educational use. Tutors retain ownership of any original teaching materials they create.

8. Prohibited Conduct

You must not: (a) use the Platform for any unlawful purpose; (b) harass, threaten, or abuse other users; (c) attempt to solicit students or tutors off-platform to avoid Platform fees; (d) post false or misleading information; (e) attempt to circumvent payment systems or introduce malware; (f) impersonate any person or entity.

Violation of these prohibitions may result in immediate account termination without refund of wallet balance.

9. Disputes Between Users

If a dispute arises between a student and a tutor, either party may submit a dispute report via the Platform's support system. Headstart will review the dispute within 5 business days and may, in its sole discretion, issue a partial or full refund, suspend an account, or take other remedial action.

Headstart's dispute resolution is a convenience service and does not constitute legal arbitration.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Headstart and its officers, directors, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Platform.

Headstart's total liability to you for any direct damages shall not exceed the total fees you have paid to Headstart in the 12 months preceding the claim.

11. Disclaimers

The Platform is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. Headstart does not guarantee the availability, accuracy, or quality of lessons, tutors, or AI-generated content. Language learning outcomes depend on individual effort and are not guaranteed.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Any disputes that cannot be resolved informally shall be submitted to binding arbitration administered by the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. (PDRCI), in Makati City, Philippines.

13. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. We will notify you by email or in-app notice at least 14 days before material changes take effect. Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

14. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Contact us at support@headstart.asia.