About Us

The American English Institute (AEI), located on the beautiful campus of California State University, Fresno, "Fresno State," has offered a non-credit intensive English program for international students since 1972. The AEI program is operated through the California State University, Fresno Foundation and is under the umbrella of Continuing and Global Education. The AEI is a member of the American Association of Intensive English Programs (AAIEP).

Academic Program

The American English Institute (AEI) employs a well-trained and enthusiastic group of instructors. Some of the instructors have M.A. degrees in Linguistics/Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). Others are working on their M.A. degrees in Linguistics/TESL.

The AEI offers English instruction at the low-intermediate to advanced levels. A full-time student will study for a total of twenty hours per week, including all four core classes and two non-core classes. The subjects and weekly class hours are as follows:

• Core Classes
  • Writing
  • Grammar
  • Reading/Vocabulary
  • Listening/Speaking

• Non-Core Classes (these vary from session to session.)
  • American Experience
  • TOEFL iBT Preparation
  • Public Speaking
  • Reading and Film
  • California Living

• Advanced Level Test Prep (offered depending on interest)
  • GRE and GMAT Preparation

 

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

AEI courses are designed to prepare students for academic study at a U.S. college or university. In addition, the courses prepare students for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which is required for admission to most colleges and universities in the United States. The courses also help students improve their communication skills for everyday life in an English-speaking country.

Sessions Offered (20 hours of instruction per week)

• Early and Late Fall:  8 weeks of instruction each 
• Early and Late Spring:  8 weeks of instruction each
• Summer:  8 weeks of instruction 

Note: For the fall and spring sessions, you can enroll in the entire 16 weeks or for only 8 weeks (early or late).

Program Features

• Low-intermediate to advanced levels (no beginning level)
• Click on this Self-Assessment if you are unsure of your level. You should understand about 90% of the Student Reading Self-Assessment passage and answer at least 4 out of 6 questions correctly.
• An orientation program before classes begin
• Up-to-date teaching methods
• Experienced instructors

Special Activities

• Regular social and cultural activities
• Trips to such places as San Francisco, Santa Cruz, or Monterey. 

Fresno State

AEI students are able to take advantage of the many programs and activities at Fresno State.  Fresno State has an enrollment of approximately 20,000 students, including 800 from other countries throughout the world. It offers bachelor's degrees in approximately 60 subject areas, master's degree programs in more than 40 subject areas, and several doctoral programs.

Students interested in attending California State University, Fresno, after attending the AEI should contact the International Office for application and admission information. Admission to AEI does not ensure admission to California State University, Fresno.