About

Our Mission

Agape English Language Institute for Internationals is dedicated to providing high-quality English language instruction at an affordable cost and in a friendly, supportive atmosphere.

"It's very organized, the teachers are friendly and are always encouraging their students to give their best not only improving their English skills, but in everything they take on in life."
Felipe Arias
2012 Graduate

High Quality Instruction

With every teacher holding an advanced degree in TEFL and with a professionally designed curriculum, Agape offers an intensive language learning experience crafted to help students excel.

Affordable Cost

Since Agape is a private institution, our site fees and other fees are not as high as university ESL programs in our region.

Friendly Atmosphere

Teachers and staff at Agape strive to create a welcoming environment where students can thrive. Teachers are invested in students’ lives and are committed to seeing them succeed academically and personally.

Our goals

Comprehensive Curriculum

Offer a comprehensive curriculum which equips students with the necessary English language and cultural skills to reach the students’ own academic and professional goals;

Encourage Communication

Help students, both in and out of the classroom, to engage in true communication that is free from the common obstacles that hinder language learning;

Meet Needs

Provide an environment which seeks to meet the needs of the student as a whole person.

Actively Recruit

Actively recruit motivated students in need of our services from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds regardless of age, race, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.

Show Transparency

To operate all facilities of AELI in a manner of integrity and transparency.

Engage the Community

To engage, and provide our students opportunities to engage, in our community.

Agape's history

Agape English Language Institute for Internationals, or Agape, is a South Carolina company offering ESL services to individuals and businesses. It is owned and operated by Dr. Rajarathnam (Raj) Aluri and his wife Kathy Aluri.

AELI was incorporated in 1989 by Dr. Rajarathnam S. Aluri, who came to the United States as an international student in September of 1976. In 1993, AELI signed a cooperative agreement with Limestone College in Gaffney, South Carolina to offer classes on the school’s campus. The first employee was hired in September of 1993 to begin the program, and the first class was held that month on the Limestone College’s main campus in Gaffney, SC. Subsequently, AELI began offering intensive English classes in Columbia in January, 1994, and in Charlotte, NC in August, 1994. In December of 1997, AELI and Limestone College revised their agreement, thus facilitating AELI’s decision to begin offering classes affiliated with the school’s Block Program (Limestone’s continuing education program) in Columbia, Greenville, and Charleston. The first classes in Greenville and Charleston were offered in June 1998. Classes have also been held at various companies in South Carolina. In January, 2004, AELI’s Columbia program obtained permission from the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to issue its own I-20s to students coming from abroad (AELI’s cooperative agreement with Limestone College ended in May, 2004). AELI received the same authorization to issue I-20s for its Greenville program in August, 2004. In May, 2004, AELI closed its Charleston program in an effort to focus resources on the Columbia and Greenville programs.

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