For many people, doing drama work and putting on a play are the same thing: ‘Why do all those activities if it doesn't lead to a finished product? What's the point?’ We hope that the answer to that question is by now obvious. Drama activities have a value in contributing to the language-learning process quite apart from any finished product they may lead to. Yet it is undeniable that there is real value in putting on real performances – for a real audience. This option may not be open to everyone, however. Why not?

• Preparing a performance requires a great deal of time. Not every class will have enough time available, either in terms of class time or extra time outside class.

• It is difficult to do with large classes. One of the benefits of putting on performances is that everyone in the group can have an active role, even if this is not as an actor (see below). But in a large class, this is simply not possible.

• Both teacher and students have to be motivated enough to cheerfully take on all the hard work and setbacks involved in a real production. Such commitment is relatively rare, sometimes for very good reasons, such as heavy teaching loads.

Nonetheless, it is possible to settle for less than a full-length, elaborately costumed, public performance. A short sketch, if properly rehearsed, can still share many of the advantages of ‘performance’. Even a rehearsed reading is better than nothing.