Modern requirements for a foreign language lesson imply along with other things developing students' communication skills and creative potential. The research substantiates the use of theatricalization as a technology with such capabilities. The authors emphasize the advantages of this technology and describe their experience of applying it while working with students at the faculty of foreign languages of the pedagogical university.

The purpose of the study is to reveal suitable ways of including theatricalization in classes of a foreign language and foreign literature. It is noted that students involved in theatrical activities are more motivated to study the language, they feel confident, and are not afraid to express emotions. The aesthetic and emotional potential inherent in the classical works of the world fiction makes the process of learning a foreign language relatable to students’ personal experience. Each stage of the theatricalization technology is aimed at a certain result: acquaintance with a variety of foreign literary pieces, choice of the event to time with the performance, playscript writing with consideration to available language means, resources and creative potential. While casting the play and sharing responsibilities, the teacher turns into a facilitator, encouraging everybody to collaborate in the process of common cognitive and creative activity. The mandatory stage is reflection: students’ emotional feedback after the performance.

The results of the research carried out on pre-service teachers give evidence that theatricalization is an effective form of working with students, as it arouses interest not only in learning a foreign language, but also in the culture of its people, and also develops the ability to stay on stage, work with an audience, and overcome self-doubt. The use of theatricalization elements in learning a foreign language helps to improve phonetic, lexical and grammatical skills; teaches how to correctly use phrases and cliches in different situations, understand the speech of the interlocutor; deepens knowledge of region studies and literature of the country of the studied language; allows to use the acquired knowledge in practice.

Keywords: Theatricalization, pedagogical technology, foreign language teaching, pre-service teachers training, collaborative learning.