Agape English Language Institute, Columbia
Language school, English courses in Columbia, The United States
Agape English Language Institute for Internationals (AELI, or Agape) is a private English as a second language school in South Carolina, USA, with campuses in Columbia and Greenville. The company was incorporated in 1989 and has taught intensive English classes in Columbia since January 1994; in 2004 the Columbia programme was authorised by the US immigration authorities to issue its own I-20 forms to students from abroad. According to the school, every teacher holds an advanced degree and has TESOL experience.
Teaching is organised in nine-week sessions; in 2027 they start in January, March, May and August. Two formats are offered:
- Full-time intensive programme, required for all F-1 visa students
- Part-time programme of one or two core classes, only for students without an F-1 visa
- Private tutoring
The minimum age is 14. Students can ask for a homestay on their application; places are very limited and not guaranteed. Host families provide meals at home and transport to and from school, giving students daily English practice and first-hand experience of American family life.
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Fees
Tuition and fees for 2026 (US dollars):
- Full-time programme, 9-week session: tuition $2,600; textbooks about $285; site fees $250; health insurance $120
- Non-refundable F-1 application fee: $150; homestay application fee: $100
- Homestay room and board: $2,500; break week: $300
- Part-time programme (non-F-1 students only): application fee $100; tuition $1,150 for one core class or $1,950 for two
- Private tutoring: $35 per hour for Agape students, $50 per hour for others
The school states that fees may change without notice.
Accreditation
Subjects taught
- Philology, Languages, Literature
- Language Courses
- Language Courses and Cultural Immersion Programs
- English Language and Literature (in Language Schools)