Lewis and Clark College's intensive English program was established in 1972. Academic English Studies (AES) is an academically oriented intensive English program which assists students in the development of essential language skills, appropriate learning strategies, and cross-cultural awareness. The Academic English Studies program, Lewis & Clark’s intensive English program, offers full-time (18-20 hours per week) instruction for low-intermediate through advanced English language students. Up to 24 undergraduate elective credits may be applied toward a Bachelor of Arts degree at Lewis & Clark. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses closely approximate undergraduate courses in teaching style, content, and expectations. The curriculum is designed to assist students in the development of essential language skills, appropriate learning strategies, and the cross-cultural awareness and sensitivities considered necessary for successful completion of their undergraduate or graduate studies. The AES program offers courses during both semesters of the academic year; an intensive summer session is also scheduled. Academic English Studies is a member of AAIEP and UCIEP. Graduating students of the AES will possess the necessary skills for successful integration into Lewis & Clark undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as those of other universities and businesses. Content-based courses reflect an emphasis on developing a student’s ability to meet the cognitive and affective challenges of the academic environment, while developing advanced English language skills.

Main Reading & Writing course will develop language abilities focused on reading and writing, and will also greatly improve fluency. Classes will be contents focused. Contents will be fundamentals of all clases, and on each level, classes will be focused on scholastic language abilities as well as daily communications skills. 

Academic English studies follows Lewis and Clark's semester schedule, and there are 15 weeks session in both Fall and Winter. AES also offers 12-weeks summer intensive courses, and short 6 weeks summer program. Students who have registered to the program will have 20 hours class of computer, reading, and interactive activities. AES curriculum offers 4 levels of courses, and the courses include academic level to be enrolled in undergraduate program. Advanced level students can take undergraduate classes under the professors' agreement. AES curriculum focuses on dealing with diverse subject to have a hollistic language understanding. Students may take ESL classes related to Business, Computer, Science, Media, Drama, and Library search technologies. Small sized interactive classes will encourage much student participation, and the class size is limited to 6 to 10. AES tries to keep this class size to maximize learning efficiency.