Policies and Regulations - English courses

We accept online payments, credit / debit card or bank draft in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR). Bank Drafts should be made payable to ‘British Council’. Student's Full Name and Student Number should be written on the back.

You may visit our website to check for easy payment plans and promotions. They are advertised by third-party financial institutions and British Council does not endorse or have any liability for the services provided by the said financial institutions. 

British Council will use personal information that you provide to carry out teaching activities which may include:

- sharing personal data (student image and voice) during the real time broadcasting of online classes through the British Council Learning Hub;

- using student audio or video recordings as academic support;

- sharing student work (documents, images or recordings) in class for collaborative activities within the British Council Teaching Network;

- use of the Learning Hub;

Personal data collected and shared through and for the purpose of the learning activities described above will only be retained for the length of the course on which a student is enrolled.

Refund Requests need to be submitted at least 2 days prior to the first lesson. 

Late requests will be rejected.

• Admin Fee – LKR 4,000
• Processing Timeline – 28 Days from Submission (Only for Eligible Requests)
• How to apply – Using “Online Application”.

Special Circumstances:

• If the classes are cancelled by British Council, make-up lesson(s) will be provided.
• Where make-up lesson(s) are not possible / provided, Credit Transfer for the missed lesson(s) will be given. These credits can be utilized in the immediate follow-up term. 
• Make-up lessons or credit transfers are not provided for absenteeism.

Refund Policy

Refund Requests need to be submitted at least 2 days prior to the first lesson. 

Late requests will be rejected.

• Admin Fee – LKR 4,000
• Processing Timeline – 28 Days from Submission (Only for Eligible Requests)
• How to apply – Using “Online Application”.

Note: Transfer between British Council English & IELTS Courses are not allowed. 

Adult English Courses – Class Cancellation Policy

Students may cancel their booked lesson(s) at least 24 hours prior to the start time using the online portal. 

Late requests will result in relevant credit(s) being lost. No make-up classes are provided. 

One Credit equals to One Lesson.

Under Special Circumstances (given below), students may request for “Credit Refunds” by providing the mentioned documentary evidence.

• Illness – Medical Certificate covering Lesson Date(s).
• Change of Location (Within SL or Overseas) – Letter from Grama Niladhari (Local) or Copies of Air Ticket & Visa (Overseas).
• Due to Work / Academic Schedules – Letter from School / Institute (Academic) or HR (Work).
• Compassionate Reasons (E.g., Demise or Serious Illness of a family member) – Copy of Death Certificate or Medical Certificate(s).

How to Apply & Timeline – Using Online Form.

Note: If the lesson(s) are cancelled by British Council, your credit(s) will be refunded.

We expect students to respect all British Council members, all staff and property.

This behaviour policy ensures that everyone understands what misbehaviour is, and what action to take to encourage good behaviour. 

Misbehaviour falls into two categories: undesirable and unacceptable.

Examples of undesirable behaviour	Examples of unacceptable behaviour
Coming to class late	Fighting
Failing to do homework	Bullying
Excessive speaking of mother tongue in class	Disrupting the class
Eating or drinking in class	Being disrespectful to others
Using a mobile phone in class	Damaging others property

If teachers observe undesirable or unacceptable behaviour, they will talk to students and explain the problem and our expectations. We may take the following action:

• invite parents for formal meetings
• invite students to a formal meeting with a British Council manager 
• issue students with a formal warning
• in serious cases, students will be told to leave British Council.

We are all responsible for the positive and respectful learning atmosphere and work environment at British Council.

The British Council values and respects everyone we work with and we work hard for your peace of mind. Here are our commitments to you:

• We listen to you
• We select all our staff with great care and ensure everyone follows systems and procedures 
• We give trustworthy advice about the importance of being safe
• We firmly believe that everyone has the right to feel safe and protected

To ensure the British Council is a safe place for everyone, we have zero tolerance for bullying and inappropriate behaviour and policies and procedures in place to prevent and address issues.

This notice summarises the British Council Sri Lanka Bullying and Behaviour Policies. For a full copy of our policies and the pathways of help, please contact Customer Services.

Policy Objectives

The British Council, Sri Lanka Anti-Bullying and Behaviour Policies outline what we will do to prevent and tackle bullying and inappropriate behaviour.  The policies have been drawn up through the involvement of the whole Centre community.

What is bullying/inappropriate behaviour?

Bullying is “Behaviour by an individual or a group, usually repeated over time that intentionally or unintentionally hurts another individual either physically or emotionally.”  

Inappropriate behaviour is “Conduct that is offensive, harmful or disruptive.”

Anyone has the capacity to bully/behave inappropriately. 

Anyone can be the victim of bullying/inappropriate behaviour.

Prevention

Our role

Behaviour of individuals is affected by the behaviour of others. Therefore, we expect everyone in the Centre community to model respectful and courteous behaviour. We actively seek to promote good behaviour.

Reporting/Telling 

Any incident reported will be taken seriously. 
All action taken will involve the perpetrators.

1. A senior member of staff will give you advice and support in resolving minor issues. 
2. In serious cases, the incident(s) will be recorded by staff.
3. In serious cases involving children, parents will be informed and asked to come into a meeting to discuss the problem.
4. If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted.

Outcomes

Feedback will always be provided to individuals who have made the allegations or complaint.