Role play and foreign language learning helps the learners to develop speaking skills within
defined social contexts. Languages are always spoken within certain defined spacio-social
context. The learning of French as a foreign language in Kenya takes cognizance that oral
skills are important to facilitate competent communication in any given language. The Kenyan
reality of learning oral French skills within a learning set-up in Kenyan secondary schools is
well presented in this text. The salient challenges are also highlighted since language
learning is normally not a smooth sail for the learner and for the teacher who plays a pivotal
facilitation role in guiding the learner to imbibe the vital communicative skills in the
language that is being taught. On the whole role play is not just a language learning activity
it is an activity that provides impetus which propels human development in ist entire gamut of
activities. A conspicuous hint on the importance of role play in our daily lives is also
presented in this text with some examples well presented and cited in this write-up. Stephen
Kraschen's Montior Model on language acquisition and the Grounded Theory which helps to
interprete social research findings have been used to analyze the data which was derived from
the inquiry done in the Kenyan secondary schools. The classical importance of role play and
simulation in the learning process has been well underscored in this particular text.
