Today we’re taking a closer look at the Shanghai French School History Club. Created by M. Koeltgen (librarian) and M. Gil (history-geography teacher), the “LFStoriens” History Club was set up to spark students’ interest in the rich history of Shanghai and China.
At LFS, students can join a variety of clubs outside of class hours, if they want to! This allows them to develop personal skills, as each club caters to different interests.
We sat down with the two founders of the Shanghai French School History Club to find out more about their project and how they bring the past to life for students:
Where did the idea for the History Club come from?
The club was born from the observation that China’s history, especially local history, is unique but not covered in much depth in the official French curriculum. Since we are based in China, we wanted to give students the opportunity to explore the history of Shanghai and China in more detail through a dedicated club for motivated and curious learners.
What does the club involve, and who joins?
The club is still young, just one year old, but it already has around 15 members. We meet for about 30 minutes every Friday with students who are genuinely passionate about history.
At the start of the year, we presented some key themes we wanted to cover, then invited students to choose a topic that interested them. The aim is for each student to produce an article or a podcast to be shared within the school community. Participation is entirely voluntary, and students can work at home or during our sessions. There are no mandatory assignments.
What topics are they working on?
We focus mainly on contemporary Chinese history (19th and 20th centuries), with a particular emphasis on Shanghai’s past.
In the French history-geography curriculum, Chinese history is touched on in high school and early middle school, but rarely in the later middle school years. It also tends to skip over detailed studies of dynasties or emperors, at least in French. Our students cover these in Chinese class, but we think it’s important to revisit them in French, especially the history of their own city.
So far we’ve had some fascinating presentations, which confirmed how much students enjoy local history. Topics have included the former French municipal college in the concession, cinema in Shanghai during the 1920s and 1930s, and an in-depth article on past relations between Libya and China.
We also aim to make history more engaging through visits. We have plenty of ideas for the coming years, from trips to the history museum to exploring new sources. Nothing is fixed yet, but inspiration is never in short supply.
What does a typical session look like?
During each 30-minute session, we help students with their projects, guide their research, and show them how to structure and present their findings. We also train them in documentary research and source analysis.
Some sessions are dedicated to launching new projects. For example, we took part in the Prozap Asia-Pacific photography competition on the theme “Views of the Past.” Projects like this help set the pace for the year and keep things lively. Other sessions are used for review or to prepare for visits related to Shanghai’s history.
What kind of outings do you organize?
Recently we explored Yangpu and its surroundings, discovering its rich historical heritage. From remnants of the “new city” designed by Chiang Kai-shek to iconic local sites, it was an immersion in both the old and modern Shanghai.
After the visit, we held a photography workshop where students captioned their photos, incorporating what they had learned on the spot. This encouraged them to think about framing their shots and linking images with historical context.
What are the benefits for students who join?
First of all, it’s a valuable experience to include on a school record, as it shows involvement beyond regular classes.
It’s also a great introduction to research methods,document analysis, and public speaking, all of which are useful skills for future studies.
Finally, club members often take part in school commemorations. For example, on November 11 last year, three students read accounts from French and Chinese soldiers who fought in the First World War.
With the LFStoriens History Club, history steps out of the textbooks and comes to life through projects, encounters, discoveries, and hands-on explorations. The club is ready to welcome the next generation of history enthusiasts for this year, eager to fuel their curiosity, build new skills, and strengthen their connection to their city and its heritage!