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American English Institute

Welcome to the American English Institute

California State University, Fresno

About Us

The American English Institute (AEI) at California State University, Fresno is an Intensive English Program that is structured to prepare students to study in an American College or University. AEI is a full time English learning experience, which includes 20 hours per week of instruction, guaranteed to enhance your skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking and grammar. The AEI offers English instruction at the low-intermediate to advanced levels (no beginning level). In addition to preparing students to take their English placement exam, those enrolled get to study alongside students from all over the world.

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), while others are working on their M.A. degrees in Linguistics/TESL.

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.

Located on Fresno State’s beautiful campus, AEI 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. 

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Celebrating Over 40 Years of Excellence!

In the summer of 1972, the English Language and American Studies Program began at Fresno State for fifteen Japanese students from the International Language Services in Japan. Five years later, this program became the American English Institute (AEI) under the direction of Graham Thurgood from the Department of Linguistics. Over the years, over 6,500 students from nearly seventy-five countries have received quality English language instruction at the AEI.