American Association of Intensive English Programs
Host:
University of South Carolina
Contact:
Dr. Alexandra Rowe, Director
Email
Tel: 803-777-3867
Fax: 803-777-6839
901 Sumter Street
207 Byrnes Building
Columbia, SC 29208 USA
Established:
1979
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English Programs for Internationals

Description

English Programs for Internationals (EPI) offers five 9-week terms per year beginning in January, March, May, August, and October. Twenty (20) instructional hours per week are provided on 6 proficiency levels. Classes are taught by highly experienced ESL professionals with graduate degrees in the field.

Location

USC is located in the center of Columbia, the state capital and a growing city of 500,000. Columbia is a friendly, safe city known for its southern hospitality and warm climate.

Teaching Qualifications

EPI instructors have advancedl degrees in TESOL or a related field and an average of 10 years of ESL teaching experience.

Course Information

General English: Yes
English for Academic Purposes (EAP): Yes
English for Business: No
Other Programs:Teacher Training, Executive English Tutorial, TOEFL Preparation, GRE Preparation
Private Classes: Yes
Customised Groups: Yes
Maximum Class Size: 18
Average Class Size: 13
Levels:
Beginner Levels: 1
Intermediate Levels: 3
Advanced Levels: 2
Students are placed in one of 6 levels of proficiency based on a written and oral examinations taken during orientation.
Minimum Hours Required Per Week: 20
Maximum Hours Per Week: 20
Part Time Available: No
Session Length:
EPI offers five 9-week terms per year, beginning in January, March, May, August, and October. The costs are $1800, tuition + $300, campus fees. Students unable to commit to a full term may study for any number of weeks at $265 per week if these arrangements are made before the student arrives.

Student Origins and Enrollments

Student Origins:
Africa: 5%
Asia: 25%
Europe: 10%
Latin America: 20%
Middle East: 40%
Average Enrollments:
February: 125
July: 125
October: 130

Facilities

EPI is located in the center of the University campus. It has 57 student computer work stations (3 computer labs).

Fees

Fees based on a session length of 4 weeks.

Fees may have changed since this information was published — check for latest information.

Included means that this service is provided at no extra charge.

Application Fee: $125.00
Tuition Fees: $800.00 to $800.00
Book Fee: $100.00
Health Insurance Fee: $0.00 Included
Other Required Fee: $133.00
Optional Fees:
Housing Application/Placement (on/off campus)=free.  Airport Pickup=free. University Placement=free. Conversation Partner=free. TOEFL Preparation Class=$120. GRE Preparation Tutorial=$100.
Notes on Fees:
EPI estimates that a student needs $4300 per 9-week term for all expenses, including personal expenses.

Accommodations

Apartment: $1040

EPI students may live on campus in university apartments. If they wish to live off campus, EPI student services staff help them find a suitable apartment. 

Student Services

EPI provides comprehensive student services, including airport pick-up, community orientation, university advisement, counseling, and social and cultural activities. Staff are on call 24 hours per day for emergency assistance and other necessary support.

Educational Service Opportunities

U.S. Conversation Partners; TOEFL, GRE preparation, and computer laboratories; e-mail accounts for all students; full use of USC facilities. Students successfully completing the program can be admitted to undergraduate programs without the necessity of taking the TOEFL. Administers institutional TOEFL.

Transportation

The campus is a 20-minute drive from the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). Students live within walking distance to classes and all necessities. There are city buses, university buses, and taxis.

Affiliations

University of South Carolina

Application Information

Applications are accepted all year. Information can be requested from the contact listed above.

Contact

Program English Programs for Internationals
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