The two elements of drama are action and dialogue, and both have a place in the foreign-language learning experience. They may be introduced into the classroom by means of a "drama lab," a learning activity that permits students to act out foreign language materials such as tableaus, poetry, ballads, folklore, and plays. Drama allows the student to express his individuality, and the material, if it is culture-related, brings to life the cultural context of the foreign language. The primary benefit of the drama lab is the creation of a situation in which communication in the target language is mandatory. The two basic rules for conducting a drama lab are: (1) All the students should participate actively. (2) All performances should be given in class, rather than as an extracurricular activity. Classroom drama may be introduced early, beginning with tableaus, perhaps puppet shows or enactments of national legends in elementary school classes. Type and content of the material should vary according to language learning level, maturity, and age. Timing and planning are also important to the effectiveness of drama as a teaching technique. For the high school level, team projects involving research and script writing, as well as performance, are recommended. The bibliography lists additional sources of guidelines and materials. (Author/LG)