Beyond The Classroom: Innovative language learning and retention

IMPORTANT

Requests to open an epost Connect conversation must be sent to:
DND.IDEaS-IDEeS.MDN@forces.gc.ca

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UPDATES

October 8, 2019

Attachment 3 has been added. The document contains questions and answers related to the Challenge

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INTRODUCTION

This Challenge notice is issued under the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) Program Call for Proposals (CFP) Call 003 (W7714-196962).

Please refer to the main solicitation documents and amendments which contain the process for submitting a proposal.
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HOW TO APPLY

Step 1:
Read the Challenge notice in its entirety.

Step 2:
Read the Call for Proposals (CFP) and any associated attachments.

Step 3:
Download and complete Attachment 1 – Electronic Proposal Submission Form, found below. If you have technical difficulties downloading the form, please see Attachment 2 – Important Information below.

Step 4:
Follow the submission instructions listed in Part 2 – Bidder Instructions of the CFP. Please allow sufficient time to register and submit the completed form before the Challenge tender notice closing date.

Requests to open an epost Connect Conversation are to be sent to DND.IDEaS-IDEeS.MDN@forces.gc.ca with the bid solicitation number at least five business days prior to the closing date of the Challenge tender notice. Follow the instructions that will be provided by email and submit your Electronic Proposal Submission Form by using the opened epost Connect Conversation.

Important: To avoid last minute technical difficulties that could delay your submission, ensure that Part 2 – Bidder Instructions and Part 3 – Proposal Preparation Instructions are followed carefully. Late submissions will not be accepted.

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MAXIMUM FUNDING AND PERFORMANCE PERIOD

Multiple contracts could result from this Challenge.

The individual maximum contract funding available under Competitive Projects - Component 1a is up to $200,000 CAD (excluding applicable taxes) for a maximum performance period of up to 6 months.

This disclosure is made in good faith and does not commit Canada to contract for the total approximate funding.

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CHALLENGE DETAILS

Challenge Title

Beyond The Classroom: Innovative language learning and retention

Challenge Statement

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) are seeking innovative solutions that will motivate and support individuals who are outside of the formal, language training system to acquire, use, and retain their second official language.

Background and Context

The DND/CAF is a large organization with a highly dispersed workforce, comprised of members from linguistic minority and majority communities. As such, it employs a number of delivery methods for second official language learning. The department has 20 training centres across the country that offer traditional classroom instruction, ranging from five weeks to ten months in duration. An online learning application also provides virtual and distance learning opportunities.

The success of second language training programs is traditionally measured by participants’ ability to achieve a minimum second official language profile or “level” at the time of examination. However, another important measure of success is the ability to instill motivation and build the confidence of participants to use their second language in the workplace, and consequently to retain and improve their abilities over time. 

In the DND/CAF, exposure to one’s second official language and formal language training can be a challenge when deployed overseas or when posted to unilingual locations within Canada. Bridging this gap in exposure would help to maintain and encourage the ongoing use and development of one’s second official language. It may also indirectly affect the capacity of the formal language training system by providing members with a stronger base upon which to build during formal training, reducing the length of formal training required and the progress that the learner must make in order to be successful in training.

Desired Outcomes

Solutions should draw on the latest scientific theories and literature (e.g., social psychology, behavioural economics, applied linguistics, education) and incorporate state-of-the-art trends in areas such as persuasive systems design, adaptive/personalized systems, and intelligent social learning environments to motivate and sustain user participation. Solutions may include, but are not limited to:

• Strategies, approaches, methods, and/or techniques to increase members’ willingness to use their second official language;
• Organizational culture change initiatives that promote greater use of second official language in the workplace (e.g. personalized incentive mechanisms);
• Systems or applications designed to bolster individual competence and confidence in using a second language;
• State-of-the-art approaches (e.g., in cognitive neuroscience, linguistics, neuroplasticity, etc.) for improving neural processes that underlie second language learning and capacity to process new language systems.

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ENQUIRIES

All Challenge-related enquiries must be submitted in writing to:

TPSGC.PAIDEES-APIDEAS.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

Enquiries must be submitted no later than 10 calendar days before the Challenge notice closing date. Enquiries received after that time may not be answered.

For more information about the IDEaS program, Bidders can visit the IDEaS website.