Operas in the Language Classroom

Even though those HD operas - 'The Tempest' and 'Les Troyens' - are modern versions of the original literatures, there are genres, events, utterances, arguments, romances, conflicts, music or even meaningful silence.  Operas might be one of authentic and appropriate materials for language teaching if we can choose a right one for a targeted learners since they include cultural and language enrichment, which help learners value their own responses. 

We can facilitate classroom activities by using the technologies of videos or YouTube. 
The visual and audio images help students see an immediate meaning of the targeted language and stimulate their motivation and interest because videos include nonverval communications such as gesture, eye contact et cetera and the situation and settings can be more understandable than the written texts. There are a variety of activities; listening, questions, answers, discussions or writing about characters/plots/historical and cultural issues, and role plays.  The operas by medium of videos can be adaptable for all learners including children.


Sample Lesson;
     *Explain about cultural/historical settings, and the opera's story outline
     *Watch the video (a segment or segments)
     *Talk about the music, mood, costumes, settings or characters
       (pair/group works) (explanations for lexical items depending on a level)
     *Re-watching
     *Question-answer handout (pair works)

    Activities for children and young learners;
     *Dancing focus on music and gestures
     *Role play with puppets or reading a written text
    

Limitations;
     *Examining an approprieate quality of video without violent or sexual scenes is important
       for an educational purpose.
     *Segments are to be considered for an intensive study in accordance with the target language and
       learners' levels.
     *Setting conditions of videos are to be well prepared for people with disabilities.