First, the students and I have found these activities very productive and fun, which has made the teaching and learning more enjoyable. Secondly, I have found that creative-drama techniques allow more direct involvement in learning on the part of all the students. In fact, their own personal involvement tends to increase their sense of personal com mitment to the subject. Thirdly, creative drama allows more students to become involved, which leads to more student-centered activities. Fourthly, it allows for more avenues of learning.
Teachers tend to cover the visual and audio avenues.
However, we often forget that some students are kinesthetic learners. I have also found that creative drama activities often allow students to relax about how they produce in French. Perhaps, because emphasis is put on other objectives in an activity instead of on the actual French that is uttered. In other words, French becomes the vehicle of communication instead of the main issue to get uptight about. Students can therefore be successful with other objectives even if they have trouble producing well in French.