CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Adaptation and development in French of the LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada)Levels 5-7 Curriculum Guidelines

Issued by: Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Settlement and Intergovernmental Affairs Directorate, Ontario Region

Background and Objectives

The Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program provides basic language training for newcomers in one of Canada’s official languages with the aim of facilitating their economic, social and cultural integration into Canada. The current French LINC program (Cours de langues pour immigrants au Canada – CLIC) comprises language courses ranging from Level 1 to 5. Theircurriculum and syllabus development, lesson planning, materials development and resource selectionare informed by the national curriculum guidelines based on Niveaux de compétences linguistiques canadiens (NCLC).

In 2005, the Centrefor Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB)adapted the LINC Curriculum Guidelines for teaching French, Levels 1 – 5. The guidelines are available in the form of an on-line curriculum resource and are accessible on the following website:

In 2007, the Toronto Catholic District School Board developed English LINC Curriculum Guidelines for Levels 5 to 7 (based on Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000) , which are now available as reference material. The present call for proposals has the objective of identifying a service providing organization that can developcurriculum guidelines for teaching French LINC atLevels 5 to 7 by using the English Curriculum Guidelines as asource and adapting them according to the needs of the French community and Frenchlanguage program. The objective of these guidelines is to provide a tool that will assist instructors in teaching those levels and make French LINC programs coordinated and consistent across Canada.

Thecourses at Levels 5 to 7 will aim at enhancing the learners’ ability to communicate effectively inFrench, which will facilitate their social integration. The courses will be based on a modular approach in order to address the specific language needs of learners at LINC Levels 5 to 7, ranging from generic employment to specific language skills. The French version of the curriculum guidelines will provide a planning and teaching tool for courses at Levels 5 to 7 that are consistentacross Ontario.

Activities

The successful candidate will undertake the following activities:

  1. Review and seek appropriate permission for adapting, translating and developing in French, the 2007 English LINC Curriculum Guidelines for Levels 5-7. This material should be used as a source and adapted to the needs of the French language program and the francophone community.
  1. Review the French LINC Curriculum Guidelines for LINC Levels 1- 5 (Lignes directrices nationales du CLIC) in order to build on their thematic and structural content and ensure continuity in the process of expanding the learners’ linguistic competence and socio-cultural knowledge through the curriculum for French LINC Levels 5 to 7
  1. Review the Canadian Language Benchmarks2000for English LINC levels 5 to 7 and extendthe Niveaux de compétence linguistiques canadien (NCLC)accordingly. The candidate will need to ensurethat the curriculum content for these levelsprovides adequate material and suitable tasks aimed at achieving the established benchmarks.
  1. Adaptthe themes underlying the English Curriculum Guidelines for Levels 5 to 7 to theirFrenchversion keeping in mind the context of the francophone community. The 12 LINC themes developed by the English Guidelines are: At Home in our Community and the World; Banking and Finance; Canada; Canadian Culture; Canadian Law; Commercial Services and Business; Community and Government Services; Education; Employment; Family and Relationships; Health and Safety; and Travel and Transportation.
  1. Suggest separate curriculum modules for different types of learners:

a)modules with an emphasis on business communications techniques underlying employment-related communication tasks for those destined to the Canadian labour market (e.g. mock interviews; presentations; communication in a simulated work environment; discussions based on work related topics; writing summaries of reports and/or articles; researching and writing reports on topics of professional interest; writing reviews of articles written by others; editing other students’ writing)

b)modules focusing on academic skills for learners who aim at enhancing their language skills

c)modules based on topics of general interest with the purpose of teaching students to interact effectively within a Canadian socio-cultural context in French settings.

d)modulesfor skills-specific programs designed for learners who need to enhance one or more of their reading, writing, listeningorspeaking skills. (e.g. grammatical structures, vocabulary, and/or pronunciation for the purpose of achieving accuracy in writing and clarity of speech)

  1. The underlying principle of the guidelines should be a task-based approach to language instruction in French. The text should include sections on language functions for each of the above modules, sample settings in real-world contexts, specific tasks with targeted NCLC competencies, and pertinent resources.
  1. Create curriculum guidelines for classes that can be delivered through a flexible teaching schedule (classes with continuous intake;part-time, evening and/or week-end classes; short-term courses; workshop-based classes).
  1. Establish an advisory committee of experts who have a demonstrated expertise in les Niveaux de compétence linguistiques canadiens (NCLC), curriculum development and cultural appropriateness. The advisory committee will identify essential criteria that will inform the development of a strategic plan for the translation, adaptation and development of the French version of the guidelines. This plan should specify consultation with existing French LINC programs, as well as other stakeholders involved in providing language training. The outcomes of these consultations should help determine that the deliverables are based on current needs and priorities, are relevant, useful and timely.
  1. Prepare a draft of the French curriculum guidelines for LINC Levels 5-7 by consulting with the advisory committee on a regular basis.
  1. Submit the curriculum draft to the advisory committee for comments, suggestions, and revisions.
  1. Revise the draft of the Curriculum guidelines by taking into consideration the feedback of the advisory committee.
  1. Field-test the Curriculum guidelines by using an appropriate sample of French LINC students at levels 5 to 7 .
  1. Publish the French Curriculum guidelines and make them available in hard copy and electronic format. We will ask the organization contracted to develop the Guidelines to produce 200hard copiesand a CD-ROM of the document. The organization will also be responsible for the distribution of all hard copies to LINC and CLIC providers.

Proposal requirements

Proposalsshould be submitted for consideration in response to this call, and theyshould include the following:

  • Demonstrated understanding of the objectives of the call for proposals, of the activities to be undertaken, and of the expected deliverables
  • Demonstrated expertise necessary to undertake the development of this project: examples of similar projects, including the development of curriculum for the purposes of language teaching. Two references with contact information from these projects should be included
  • Evidence of project management expertise demonstrated through the successful completion of previous projects by meeting expectations and deadlines
  • A detailed work plan, incorporating the activities outlined in this call for proposals, with timelines for the completion of each stage of the project, involving planning, management of human and financial resources, administration, and reporting
  • A budget, with detailed breakdown of each element of the project (including itemization of budget for wage costs, employee benefits, space rental expenses, travel expenses, other itemized costs)
  • A description of all partners and subcontractors who will be involved in this project, including a résumé of each individual. Their roles must be clearly specified, and their qualifications demonstrated in the proposal
  • A résumé for each individual involved demonstrating that he/she has the appropriate experience/skills for the project
  • A statement regarding real, perceived or potential conflicts of interest

Review Process

Receipt of your application will be acknowledged with a letter from CIC. All candidates will be notified of the results of the competition. Please note that we will be unable to respond to individual inquiries regarding the status of your application during the review process.

Please direct all questions regarding this proposal to Irena Nikolova at . In order to ensure that all candidates receive the same additional information in response to their questions, we will not be replying to individual requests. The deadline for submiting all questions is December 10, 2007. A document entitled Questions and Answers related to this call for proposals will be made available to all candidates on by December 18, 2007.

Important Information

CIC reserves the right to seek further clarification on all proposals and to take time as necessary to review and select the successful proposal. CIC reserves the right to withdraw or cancel the CFP and to change or delete any provisions of it, including time limits, without notice and without liability to any party for any costs or expenses incurred by any party in connection with or related to the CFP. Notice of changes to or cancellation of the CFP will be posted on . CIC will not be liable for any costs or expenses relating to a proposal submitted pursuant to this CFP, whether successful or not. The approval of successful proposals will be subject to the negotiation of a contribution agreement, and CIC is under no obligation to approve any application through this process.

The organization awarded funds under this CFP will be required to sign a standard CIC Contribution Agreement as a pre-requisite to receiving funding. The Agreement will contain provisions which will include, but not be limited to, provisions to ensure accountability, to require funding recipients to obtain appropriate insurance and to protect CIC from liability. Under the Agreement, CIC will reimburse eligible expenditures that are reasonable and directly related to the project. The Agreement will stipulate that any payment by the Department under the agreement is subject to there being an appropriation for the fiscal year in which the payment is to be made and to there being funds available. Furthermore, should the Department’s funds be reduced by Parliament, the Department may reduce or cancel the contribution.

Review Process:

A review team will be evaluating the proposal on the basis of the applicant’s:

  • detailing of the steps they will take in the process outlined
  • indicating how they will successfully accomplish each element of the project
  • listingverifiable examples of how they have achieved success with project elements during similar projects in the past.
  • submitting a complete and credible proposal

Timelines for the project: The projected start date for this project is January 15, 2008. The duration of the project may vary, but all applicants should plan an end date of March 31, 2009.

Submission Deadline

The deadline for receipt of submission by the Settlement Directorate is

_4:00 pm (EST) on January 4, 2008_

Proposals received after this time will not be considered.

Three hard copies of the completed proposal and one electronic copy in Microsoft Word on CD, diskette or via e-mail must be submitted to:

Attn: Irena Nikolova

Settlement Programs

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Settlement & Intergovernmental Affairs Directorate

25 St. Clair Ave. East, Suite 200

Toronto, ON

M4T 1M2

The email address for submission of electronic copies is