Paris Students Turn a Tour of the Palais Garnier into a Public Speaking Lesson

Students in the EN373 Public Speaking course at our Paris campus recently stepped outside the classroom for a visit to the historic Palais Garnier. While many visitors go to admire the famous opera house, the class had a different goal: to observe public speaking in action.

During the guided tour, students treated the guide’s presentation as a live case study. In a setting that was busy, noisy, and filled with visitors from around the world, they paid close attention to how the guide communicated with the group. It quickly became clear that leading a tour in such an environment requires much more than simply knowing the facts.

Students noted how the guide used voice projection, movement, and pacing to keep the group engaged while navigating crowded hallways and constant background noise. They also observed how the guide structured information clearly so people could follow along, even when distractions or interruptions occurred.

Seeing these techniques in a real-world environment helped highlight an important aspect of public speaking: it rarely happens in perfect conditions. Speakers often have to adjust their delivery depending on the audience, the space, and unexpected disruptions.

The experience gave students a practical way to connect ideas from class with what effective communication looks like in everyday settings. By observing how the guide adapted to the moment, they saw firsthand how strong public speaking is not only about what you say, but how you respond to the environment around you.

Spending the afternoon learning in one of Paris’s most iconic landmarks turned the concept of public speaking into something tangible—showing how communication skills come into play far beyond the classroom.