Request for Proposals: Project Contractor

Exploring the Cultures of la Francophonie in the FSL Classroom

The Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers (CASLT) invites proposals for a comprehensive project aimed at addressing a critical gap in French as a Second Language (FSL)* education across Canada: the meaningful integration of the diverse cultures of la Francophonie** into teaching and learning.

This initiative, titled “Exploring the Cultures of la Francophonie in the FSL Classroom,” seeks to foster a deeper sense of connection, intercultural competence, and motivation among students and teachers by moving beyond traditional, surface-level, or static representations of culture and authentically reflecting the lived realities of Francophone communities worldwide. Funded by the Department of Canadian Identity and Culture (formerly the Department of Canadian Heritage), this project aims to inspire transformative change in FSL education nationwide.

Recent research, including CASLT’s 2021 literature review, shows that while intercultural competence is recognized as essential for language teachers, many FSL educators struggle to access quality training or resources to effectively integrate cultural elements into their classrooms. Many continue to rely on outdated or stereotypical representations of French-speaking cultures rather than engaging with the authentic, practical, and contemporary ways of life experienced by Francophone communities. By addressing these challenges, the project aims to set a new standard for cultural integration in FSL, benefitting both teachers and learners and echoing Canada’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and linguistic excellence.

*For the purpose of this project, “FSL” encompasses all K–12 educational programs in Canada where French is taught as a second or additional language, including French Immersion, Extended French, Intensive French, and Core French.

**Within this project, the terms “culture” and “cultures of la Francophonie” highlight the authentic, practical, and relatable aspects of daily life across Francophone communities worldwide. The focus is on cultural elements with real-life applications, such as everyday practices, contemporary media, current events, and modern expressions of Francophone identity, that are engaging and relevant to today’s learners.

Project Scope and Deliverables

The successful contractor, in close collaboration with the CASLT team, will be responsible for the following deliverables.

Phase 1: Research and Literature Review

• Conduct a comprehensive review of best practices for integrating cultures of la Francophonie in FSL education.
• Identify current gaps and challenges in FSL classrooms, including barriers to cultural integration.
• Examine the impact of cultural learning on student motivation, proficiency, and retention.
• Investigate evidence-based strategies for fostering intercultural competence.
• Produce a publishable literature review summarizing key findings and recommendations.

Phase 2: Resource Development

• Develop a teacher handbook designed to support the integration of cultures of la Francophonie in diverse FSL settings. The handbook will:
  • Provide practical guidance on sourcing, creating, and evaluating authentic cultural materials, with a focus on using them to develop students’ language competencies (e.g., reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
  • Feature exemplars and scenario-based examples of classroom activities, adaptable for a wide range of programs and grade levels.
  • Include templates for culturally inclusive lesson planning and formative assessment to support teachers in fostering self-assessment skills and metacognitive awareness among students.
  • Recognize and address common challenges and barriers educators may face (e.g., budget constraints, resource availability, and institutional limitations) and propose practical strategies for mitigating these obstacles.
  • Present tools and approaches for formative assessment, including self-assessment templates, strategies for developing students’ metacognition, and methods for tracking intercultural competence development.
• Collaborate with CASLT to establish an online community of practice in the CASLT CoLab and facilitate initial engagement and resource sharing among FSL teachers in this space.

Phase 3: Professional Learning

• Plan and (co-)facilitate a series of eight interactive webinars (four in English, four in French) on cultural integration in FSL teaching.
• Design a series of four short videos highlighting practical classroom applications for integrating cultures of la Francophonie.
• Prepare and present one workshop for CASLT’s Virtual Professional Learning Day.
• Develop two asynchronous learning modules for self-directed study in the CASLT CoLab.
• Develop a template workshop for presentation at teacher conferences, CASLT Chez-Vous workshops, and other events.

Contractor Responsibilities

The contractor will be responsible for the comprehensive development and delivery of all project deliverables. To ensure the success of the project, the contractor will:

• Lead the planning and execution of all activities associated with each project phase (Research and Literature Review, Resource Development, and Professional Learning) as outlined in the deliverables section.
• Collaborate with CASLT staff and the project committee on content, format, and logistics for all deliverables, in accordance with established milestones and timelines.
• Manage the project timeline effectively, ensuring all deliverables are completed according to the timeline outlined below.
• Revise and finalize work in response to feedback provided by CASLT and the project committee.
• Ensure deliverables meet quality and inclusivity standards.
• Maintain open and regular communication with CASLT throughout the project, providing updates on progress and promptly addressing any concerns or challenges that may arise.
• Adhere to all mutually agreed-upon deadlines, budgets, and reporting protocols.
• If subcontracting any portion of the work, ensure that all subcontractors are fully briefed on CASLT’s vision and the project’s objectives and that their work aligns with the project timeline and budget.

Note: If artificial intelligence (AI) tools are employed in the development of any project deliverables, their use must be explicitly disclosed to CASLT. The contractor is expected to exercise professional judgment, ensuring that any AI-generated content is thoroughly reviewed for accuracy, cultural sensitivity, appropriateness, and alignment with project objectives. The contractor is also responsible for recognizing and mitigating the limitations of AI, particularly in the context of nuanced educational and cultural content.

CASLT Responsibilities

CASLT will oversee and manage the project, ensuring its alignment with organizational goals and quality standards. Specifically, CASLT will:

• Establish and manage a steering committee responsible for selecting the contractor, providing ongoing support, and offering regular and comprehensive feedback on project deliverables. The committee will offer guidance to ensure that the project deliverables meet CASLT’s vision and standards.
• Maintain overall control of the project budget, allocating funds as necessary for various aspects of the project. This includes covering costs for elements outside the contractor’s direct responsibilities, such as copyediting, translation, graphic design, video production, and so on.
• Provide administrative and logistical support throughout the planning, production, and execution phases of the project.
• Oversee the final dissemination of the project deliverables, including leveraging CASLT’s networks and implementing targeted outreach and promotional strategies.
• Coordinate with the contractor during the awareness-raising phase to maximize the impact and reach of the developed resources.
• Conduct regular project evaluations to assess progress, identify potential issues, and ensure that the project remains on track to meet its objectives.
• Facilitate open communication channels between the contractor, the steering committee, and other relevant stakeholders.

Contractor Qualifications

Ideal candidates will demonstrate:

• Understanding of Canadian FSL programs, diverse learner needs in language programs, intercultural pedagogy, and/or development of educational resources.
• Experience with teacher professional learning and training.
• Strong research and academic writing abilities.
• Capacity to manage projects, meet deadlines, and communicate effectively with a national team.
• Familiarity with Francophone cultures, preferably with lived and/or professional experience.
• Bilingualism (French/English).

Budget

The total honorarium for this contract is $42,000. The honorarium will be disbursed directly to the lead contractor according to the deliverables and payment milestones established in the contract. The lead contractor will be solely responsible for allocating and distributing payments to any additional team members or collaborators (if applicable). CASLT will not administer or process multiple invoices for teams or distribute partial payments to individual contributors.

Timelines

• Deadline for proposal submissions: September 22, 2025
• Deadline for the final draft of the literature review: January 30, 2025
• Deadline for the establishment of the CASLT CoLab community of practice: March 31, 2026
• Deadline for the final draft of the teacher handbook: August 3, 2026
• Deadline for the final drafts of the asynchronous courses: December 7, 2026
• Timeframe for delivery of all webinar sessions and the Virtual PL Day workshop: January 12 – March 31, 2027

Proposal Requirements and Evaluation Process

All proposals will be evaluated by the project steering committee according to the criteria below. To support a transparent and effective review process and to ensure applicants present themselves in the strongest light, please ensure your submission is structured according to these expectations.

Relevant Knowledge, Skills, and Experience (CV/Biography)

Please submit a CV (maximum 2 pages) for the lead contractor only. For any additional team members (if applicable), include a brief biographical statement (maximum 200 words each) that summarizes relevant experience and explicitly describes the individual’s intended role and contributions within the project team. The contractor’s CV should:

• Clearly demonstrate a strong understanding of the subject area, specifically relating to FSL education, intercultural competence, and the cultures of la Francophonie.
• Highlight experience or background directly applicable to this project (teaching, research, or resource development).
• Showcase relevant expertise or transferable skills (e.g., workshop facilitation, resource authorship, professional learning design).

Please avoid generic multi-page CVs; instead, submit a tailored CV that concisely summarizes knowledge, skills, and experience relevant to this project.

Work Plan and Timeline

Your work plan must clearly address each of the following elements.

Project Approach and Methodology

• Describe your overall approach to the project and how you will achieve the intended deliverables.
• Explain any specific frameworks, methods, or guiding principles you will use.
• Proposals that offer innovative approaches or ideas to enhance project impact are welcome.

Major Tasks, Milestones, and Timeline

• List all major tasks/activities to be completed for each phase of the project.
• Provide a suggested timeline, including estimated start and end dates for each task or phase.
• Include anticipated milestones for review and approval and identify key delivery dates.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Identify the lead and all team members responsible for each task or deliverable (if applicable).
  • Clearly state the main contributions of each participant.

Feedback and Revision Process

• Explain your plan for incorporating and responding to feedback from CASLT and the project steering committee at key milestones.
• Indicate turnaround times for revisions and how you will ensure the final deliverables reflect collaborative input.

Understanding of CASLT and Project Goals

• Describe your understanding of the project’s objectives and target audience and how your work will align with CASLT’s mission, vision, and values.

References

• Provide contact information for at least two professional references who can speak to your expertise and experience relevant to this project.

Portfolio or Examples of Work (Optional)

• Include examples or a portfolio of previous work that demonstrates your ability to deliver on the type of content and scope required by this project, particularly if the work is similar in context.

All proposals will be evaluated by the project steering committee using a standardized set of criteria. The committee will review each proposal individually in advance of a joint selection meeting. Please note that while we strive for transparency in our process, we may not be able to provide detailed feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Submit a Proposal

To submit a proposal for this project, please complete the online application form. All required materials must be uploaded and submitted through this form. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Project proposal submission deadline:

September 22, 2025