Reaching Every Learner: Practical Tools for Inclusive Instruction in Canada’s L+ Classrooms

Project Background and Objectives

Inclusive language teaching requires approaches that recognize and respond to students’ diverse abilities, backgrounds, and interests while proactively designing learning environments that reduce barriers from the outset. This project will draw on principles of inclusive pedagogy, including differentiated instruction (DI), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and culturally responsive and relevant pedagogy (CRRP), to ensure all learners can access key content and demonstrate their learning in ways that reflect their strengths and needs.

Educators across Canada have highlighted the need for practical, evidence-informed resources that translate these inclusive principles into concrete strategies for the L+ classroom. This project will:

• Synthesize current research on inclusive practices, including DI, UDL, and CRRP in L+ teaching.
• Develop accessible, practical, and user-friendly classroom resources and professional learning opportunities that apply these inclusive principles in concrete, classroom-ready ways.
• Support teachers in implementing inclusive, learner-centred practices that are aligned with current pedagogical developments in L+ instruction across diverse K–12 program types and contexts.

Project Scope and Deliverables

In close collaboration with the CASLT team, the successful contractor will develop a suite of resources to help L+ teachers apply inclusive, learner-centred principles in their everyday practice.

1. Comprehensive Literature Review

• Conduct a thorough review of current research on inclusive pedagogy in L+ contexts.
• Synthesize key principles, frameworks, and promising practices that support diverse learners in L+ classrooms.
• Produce a standalone resource that foregrounds practical, principle-based guidance for language educators.

2. Teacher Handbook and Tools

• Develop a comprehensive, research-informed handbook on inclusive pedagogy in L+ classrooms.
  • Include clear explanations of key concepts, adaptable strategies for varied teaching contexts, and illustrative examples.
  • Ensure the handbook is practical, accessible, and relevant to teachers working in different regions and program structures, with a range of strategies that can be implemented in both short-term and longer-term planning and across diverse L+ program models.
• Create a suite of ready-to-use teacher tools, such as lesson plans, activity templates, planning tools, and assessment strategies.
  • Ensure the teacher tools are adaptable for different proficiency levels, languages, and learner profiles, and can be scaled to different time allocations and program models.

3. Professional Learning Course and Webinars

• Design a flexible professional learning course to be hosted on the CASLT CoLab.
  • Structure modules to help teachers deepen their understanding of inclusive pedagogy and apply theory to practice.
  • Incorporate interactive elements appropriate to asynchronous learning (e.g., reflection prompts, discussion activities, practical tasks, etc.).
• Design a series of four live online webinars (two in English and two in French) that support teachers in applying the project’s inclusive, learner-centered principles in their classrooms.
  • Work with CASLT to identify and confirm appropriate presenters for each webinar. The contractor may deliver some or all of the sessions themselves and/or recommend and invite other qualified presenters.
  • Collaborate with CASLT staff on scheduling and promotion (CASLT will manage registration logistics and hosting).

4. Knowledge Mobilization

• Develop ready-to-use workshop materials (e.g., a PowerPoint deck with speaking notes and accompanying handouts) that can be used by CASLT representatives at conferences and professional learning events.
• Collaborate with CASLT to design an end-of-project awareness and knowledge mobilization campaign that promotes the project outputs to language educators and stakeholders across Canada.
• Propose and refine content for:
  • An infographic summarizing key project messages, principles, and resources.
  • A short video highlighting the project’s purpose, main findings, and practical benefits for teachers.
  • A poster that can be displayed at conferences, professional learning events, and in schools.
• Work with CASLT to develop promotional and/or awareness-raising content, including email communications, social media posts, and articles for Réflexions magazine and the CASLT blog.

Contractor Responsibilities

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

• Lead the planning and execution of all project deliverables as outlined in the previous section.
• Collaborate with CASLT staff and the steering 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 steering 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, the contractor will 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 inclusive 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 between the contractor, the steering committee, and other relevant stakeholders.

Timeline

The anticipated project duration is approximately 18 months from contract signing, with all deliverables due by March 1, 2028, at the latest.

A more detailed timeline will be finalized with the successful contractor, but applicants should propose a schedule that includes all deliverables outlined above, as well as sufficient time for revisions based on CASLT/steering committee feedback and finalization of all deliverables.

Budget

The total honorarium for this contract is 40,000 CAD.

This 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, collaborators, or subcontractors (if applicable). CASLT will not administer or process multiple invoices for teams or distribute partial payments to individual contributors.

Eligibility and Expertise

This RFP is open to individuals, teams, or organizations residing in Canada with demonstrated expertise in the following:

• L+ teaching and learning, including knowledge of current pedagogical developments.
• Differentiated instruction, Universal Design for Learning, culturally responsive and relevant pedagogy, and related inclusive classroom practices.
• Design and development of high-quality educational resources for teachers (print, digital, and professional learning formats).

Preference may be given to applicants who can demonstrate the following:

• Experience working on pan-Canadian or multi-jurisdictional education projects.
• Familiarity with both English and French as a second language education contexts.
• Prior collaboration with professional associations or ministries/school boards.

Proposal Requirements and Evaluation Process

To support a transparent and effective review process, please ensure your submission is structured according to the following guidelines.

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

Please submit a CV (maximum 3 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 inclusive pedagogy.
• Highlight experience or background directly applicable to this project (teaching, research, and/or resource development).
• Showcase relevant expertise or transferable skills (e.g., workshop facilitation, resource development, 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.

Note: Proposals that offer innovative approaches or ideas to enhance project impact are welcomed.

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 team member.

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 Project Goals and CASLT

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

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.

References

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

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.

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

Project proposal submission deadline:

August 3, 2026