Centro de Línguas da Acepusp

What Centro de Línguas da Acepusp does

Centro de Línguas da Acepusp is a nonprofit popular language school operated under the Associação Cultural dos Educadores e Pesquisadores das Universidades de São Paulo (ACEPUSP), a São Paulo-based cultural association founded in 2002 by students and researchers from the University of São Paulo. The school delivers live language instruction in English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian at levels from Basic (A1) through Advanced (C1), using a pedagogy grounded in Paulo Freire's popular education principles that emphasizes removing elitist barriers and validating learner production. Three core products anchor the portfolio: Cursinho Popular (pre-university prep for ENEM and entrance exams), Centro de Línguas (the language school), and Centro de Cultura (cultural events and free courses).

Operationally, the school runs three course formats—Extensivo (4 months, weekly), Semi-intensivo (2.5 months, twice weekly), and Intensivo (1 month, four times weekly, in January and July)—plus special courses (Cursos Especiais) and free electives (Cursos Livres). Delivery is split between in-person classes at Rua Augusta, 303 in São Paulo and 100% live online classes via Zoom, with Google Classroom for materials and WhatsApp for communication; classes are not recorded. Pricing for regular Extensivo courses ranges from R$826 to R$1,094 per cycle ($165–$220 USD equivalent), discounted 5–10% for cash, multi-language enrollment, alumni, and referrals, with twice-yearly scholarships awarded through socioeconomic evaluation.

The organization operates as a 12-employee nonprofit with no parent company, no funding rounds, and no institutional investors; governance is collective and dependent on volunteer labor and former-student teachers. The target segments are working adults and students seeking affordable language education and public-school graduates preparing for university entrance. Distribution is direct via the acepusp.com.br website and a Shopify-style e-commerce enrollment system (ec2galileu.com.br) emitting boleto payment slips within 48 hours. Marketing relies on organic social (Instagram, Facebook), the institutional blog, WhatsApp, and email—primarily top-of-funnel digital channels with no paid acquisition signals disclosed.

Name

Centro de Línguas da Acepusp

Legal name

ASSOCIAÇÃO CULTURAL DOS EDUCADORES E PESQUISADORES DAS UNIVERSIDADES DE SÃO PAULO

Website

https://acepusp.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Centro de Línguas da Acepusp is a 12-employee São Paulo-based nonprofit popular language school offering affordable A1–C1 courses in English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian, serving working adults and students via live online and in-person classes built on Paulo Freire-inspired pedagogy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Language Education Services

NAICS

Language Schools (611630), Language Schools (61163)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

General Language Schools & Institutes (EDAMAFAA)

Keywords

• Language education services
• Popular education courses
• Foreign language instruction
• Pre-university prep courses
• Adult language training

Headquarters

HQ city

São Paulo

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Language Course Tuition: Revenue from language courses including English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian. Courses offered in multiple formats: Extensivo (4 months, weekly 2h30 classes), Semi-intensivo (2x weekly for 2.5 months), and Intensivo (4x weekly for 1 month in January/July). Pricing varies by level and language, with payment in installments via boleto or credit card.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Centro de Línguas da Acepusp is a popular, non-profit language school that offers affordable courses in English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian at levels from Basic (A1) to Advanced (C1). Courses are delivered in multiple formats (Extensivo, Semi-intensivo, Intensivo, and Special courses) through live online classes via Zoom and in-person classes at its São Paulo location, supported by Google Classroom materials and WhatsApp communication. The school also runs a pre-university preparatory program (Cursinho Popular) and cultural activities, all under a popular-education pedagogical philosophy that targets working-class learners.

Product overview

Centro de Línguas da Acepusp is a non-profit popular education organization offering three main programs: Cursinho Popular (pre-university prep), Centro de Línguas (language school with courses in English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian), and Centro de Cultura (cultural activities). The Centro de Línguas operates in extensive, intensive, and special formats, with free elective courses also available. All programs emphasize accessible pricing and a pedagogical approach rooted in popular education principles, with both online (via Zoom, Google Classroom, WhatsApp) and in-person options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Centro de Línguas (Language School) The umbrella popular language school offering courses in English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian with progressive levels from A1 to C1, delivered both online (via Zoom) and in-person in São Paulo. Targeted at working adults and students who need accessible, flexible foreign-language education.
• English Language Courses English language instruction from basic to advanced levels (A1 to C1), using Touchstone (Cambridge) and National Geographic Society Keynote materials. Designed for individual learners seeking accredited English proficiency.
• French Language Courses French language instruction using the Défi textbook from Maison des Langues, with emphasis on cultural aspects from French-speaking countries. Available across progressive levels.
• Spanish Language Courses Spanish language instruction using the Frecuencias fusión textbook, acknowledging the diversity of Spanish-speaking cultures across Central and South America.
• German Language Courses German language instruction using the Studio [express] textbook from Cornelsen, providing a solid foundation in German for beginners through intermediate learners.
• Italian Language Courses Italian language instruction using the Nuovo Espresso textbook, with content that emphasizes cultural respect and avoids stereotypes.
• Level Tests (Testes de Nível) Placement assessment service for prospective students with prior language knowledge, comprising multiple-choice questions and written production followed by an interview with a teacher via Google Meet. Priced at R$50.
• Intensive Courses (Cursos Intensivos) One-month intensive language courses offered in January and July, with four 2.5-hour classes per week for accelerated language learning. Available across the language offerings.
• Special Courses (Cursos Especiais) Variable-format courses related to language or culture that are not modular, offering cultural immersion and elective topics at lower prices than regular courses.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Berlitz Brasil: Global language school brand operating in Brazil, offering multiple languages including immersion-based methodology; competes at the higher-priced end of the Brazilian language-school market.
• Duolingo: Global freemium language-learning platform with strong adoption in Brazil offering free/low-cost English, Spanish, French, German and Italian; competes for the same cost-conscious learners Centro de Línguas targets, particularly as a substitute for paid courses.

Direct peers

• CCAA: Brazilian language school franchise offering English, Spanish, German and Italian at affordable price points; directly comparable to Centro de Línguas on multi-language portfolio and accessible positioning.
• Fisk Centro de Ensino: Brazilian language school franchise with broad coverage offering English, Spanish and other languages; comparable on accessible pricing and modular formats targeting similar learner demographics.
• Cel.Lep: Brazilian language school chain offering English and Spanish with both online and in-person delivery; directly comparable on operational model and target market of working adults in Brazil.
• CNA (Cultural Norte Americano): Wide-reaching Brazilian English school franchise with in-person and online programs; competes in the same mid-priced language-learning segment in São Paulo.
• Wizard (by Pearson): One of Brazil's largest language school chains offering English, Spanish, French, German and Italian across physical and digital channels; directly comparable as a multi-language school serving Brazilian learners with similar extensivo/intensivo formats.
• Cultura Inglesa: Brazilian English-teaching chain traditionally tied to British cultural institutions; overlaps Centro de Línguas in offering structured English levels (basic to advanced) to adult learners in São Paulo and other Brazilian cities.

Emerging players

• Instituto Cervantes São Paulo: Cultural institution dedicated to Spanish-language teaching in São Paulo with DELE exam prep; overlaps with Centro de Línguas' Spanish course line and nonprofit/cultural positioning.
• Aliança Francesa de São Paulo: Brazil's main French-language instruction network offering courses and cultural programming in São Paulo; overlaps with Centro de Línguas' French offering and nonprofit/cultural orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/centrodelinguasdaacepusp
• Instagraminstagram.com/centrodelinguas_acepusp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centro-de-l%C3%ADnguas-da-acepusp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centro de Línguas da Acepusp