For almost 5 years, Gilles, PhD in contemporary history and French teacher, has been offering a unique conversation course combining teaching of the French language and introduction to the history of France. An original formula whose success does not weaken and which is constantly renewed!

Various historical themes

Throughout the course sessions, the students debated and discussed, among other things:

• The history of French art, from ancient times to the present day
• The history of French cinema, from the Lumière Brothers to the most recent films
• The history of French-speaking literature, between classic novels, essays and political narratives
• The history of institutions: right to vote, political debates, historical figures, places of decision
• Social history: education, sport, work

And many more themes, such as the history of wine or the French “art de vivre”!

A dynamic, conversation-based course

The course is based on an action-oriented pedagogy that puts the student at the center of learning. In short, the documents used in class promote interaction and active participation of learners: video reports, press articles, quizzes, audio documents…many original resources, adapted to the level of the students, and which invite everyone to react and to think as a group.

For instance, students take part in debates on historical themes, answer quizzes, describe historical works using an educational aid or have fun during role-playing games in which they take the place of historical figures!

A course for advanced levels

The objective of the course is to discover several aspects of the History of France while improving one’s skills in the French language, both orally and in writing. It is therefore aimed both at French speakers and at all culture enthusiasts wishing to develop or deepen their knowledge of the language, or even at French teachers in Norway wishing to explore new resources that can be used in their teaching (required level: beginning of level B2).

Participants are convinced!

I took the course for several sessions and I recommend it to others for the following reasons: deeper knowledge of different aspects of French history, introduction to news that are less accessible to me by using various methods, vocabulary expansion and positive atmosphere!

– Turid

I took several history lessons with Gilles at Fransk kulturhus. They are always interesting and often based on unexpected themes. In our last lesson, for example, the theme was the art of lying, or how men in power have used it for centuries, right up to present-day fake news. Wine and art history were also good examples. We talk a lot, and it’s fun. I find it a good way to practice the language and also to learn terminology that I don’t know. Gilles is a very good teacher and always very well prepared.

– Ragnhild

An excellent course! Themes are up-do-date, students are active and encouraged to participate and talk. Warm recommendations.

– Alf

A course led by a passionate historian

The course teacher, Gilles, has a PhD in contemporary history. In 2018, his PhD thesis won the prize for the best theses from the University of Strasbourg. Regularly invited to participate in French podcasts on the theme of History, he has also published books and articles on the history of humanitarian law, neutrality, international law and the Franco-German war of 1870. It is within this framework that he obtained the honorary medal of the Maurice Baumont Prize from the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences of the Institut de France.

Also a French teacher for several years, Gilles had the idea of combining his career as a historian with his passion for teaching French: the history course at Fransk kulturhus is the fruit of this reflection!

Where can I register for the history course?

The course takes place every Monday at 11am. You can register for the desired session directly on our platform.

Questions? Do not hesitate to contact us :