Early Field Experience for the Bilingual Credential Program
Credential Program Materials
Learn about the Early Field Experience (EFE) for the Bilingual Preliminary Credential Admissions Requirement.
What is Early Field Experience (EFE)?
All candidates must successfully complete a volunteer or paid observation and participation in a “regular” bilingual/dual immersion classroom (not a Special Ed class or after school program) in a public school within the past 7 years. The purpose is to get you into a classroom to see what a “day in the life of a teacher” is really about.
This requirement must be COMPLETE and may NOT be in progress when you submit your credential program application (unless being completed as a course during the Spring or Summer semesters).
Options for Completing This Requirement
You must complete 30 hours of observation in public California classrooms on your own in the grade level (s) and subject(s) in which you plan to teach. Multiple Subject candidates should observe in Kindergarten through 6th grade classes. Single Subject candidates should observe in middle or high school classrooms in the subject area that they plan to teach. Bilingual candidates need to observe in a bilingual or dual immersion classroom. You will need to upload a completed and signed “Early Field Experience” verification page to the Program materials section of the Cal State Apply application.
Bilingual credential applicants can complete DLE 416L, "Biliteracy Foundations for Teaching and Learning in Diverse Communities Field Experience" (1 unit) with a C or better to meet this requirement. While enrolled in this class you will complete the required 30 hours. When applying to the credential program, this class can be in progress or planned to take the summer prior to starting the credential program.
You can use substitute teaching in a dual immersion school to meet this requirement—instead of the EFE Verification Form you would upload copies of your pay stubs showing 30 hours completed.
The College of Education Office for Student Success (OSS) (LH-259) has a scanner available (free of charge) and can help you with this process--Our office is currently closed due to COVID 19.
Resources
Bilingual Program Verification Form (PDF)
Dual Immersion Schools in San Diego County