I've started using 'dialogue building' in my own classes. So far, I'm finding it works.

I start off 'building' dialogues by laying a foundation of easy verbs and nouns. This means my Thai students use their E-T dictionaries (yeap, they work at it--I make sure they do) to build vocab. I then move to grammar and phonolgy, written on whiteboards first and then spoken, first by me and then by my students.

After this, I develop simple written dialogue exercises for which my students write short-answers in blanks. To make completion easier, I put 'clues' under each blank. Usually my students come through with minimal cheating after only a few tries.

Finally, I get them into random groups and have them create their own dialogues. Only a few of the most stubborn students won't cooperate, but most of most of my students not only perform successfully, but of them like it. And they actually learn. Dialogue building works. I've seen it work. I just hope it keeps working.

I hope this helps.

RT