The main disadvantage of using the audio-visual approach to teaching language is that it does not encourage students to brush up their communication skills. It is undeniable that this approach is indeed efficacious in producing students with high grades. Notwithstanding, this approach is at its disadvantage as the element of speaking is missing in its teaching process. There is no two-way communication in this approach.

On the other hand, the main disadvantage of the communicative approach is that it is usually short in duration. The reason is that this approach does not involve drilling. Instead, it only includes various ways of communication such as contextualization, translation and speaking skills. The teaching processes usually involve role plays and group projects. While it encourages communication, this approach is unfruitful for uncommunicative students.

How about capturing the best of both worlds? By incorporating both approaches in the teaching process, the likelihood that it is more effective overall will be higher. For younger students, the balance is tipped in favour of the audio-visual approach. As for older students, the balance is tipped in favour of the communicative approach.

Depending on a teacher’s preference, he or she may favour one approach over other approaches. Therefore, it is essential to educate teachers on the advantages and disadvantages of all approaches. This is to enable the teacher to make the best decision as to which approach to use at a particular time. But, and here is the key – the teacher should constantly remain flexible and open to the possibilities of using other approaches to enhance the teaching process.

Communication today is much easier and faster because of the technological advancement in the field of telecommunication and mass communication. Gone are the days when a dove was sent to deliver letters and the snail mail and trunk calling services are a passé today as it is replaced by emails, teleconferencing and video conferencing.

With the invention of telephone the direct voice communication was enabled and with more and more features added to this media has enabled teleconferencing through which two or more people liking miles and even nations apart can communicate live with one another instantly. Business organizations which deal with long distance and overseas customers and clients find it very easy to keep in touch for instant clarification and problem solving.

Today even much advanced communication facilities are available like the video conferencing wherein the internet technology is used to conduct real time board meetings and discussions among people living in different nations and time zones. The possibility of seeing each other and having a real conversation is much more personal than teleconferencing where you talk to an unknown face. Moreover lots of money and time is saved as the executives need not travel to extreme location for these meet ups.

The cost of traveling and accommodation is spared and the business is also looked after very keenly because of the anytime anywhere communication mode. All you need is to have a large screen and software compatible to offer error free and clarity driven video conferencing. The sound and other related equipment is just a one time investment. Video and audio streams are digitally compressed using the codec. The input and out put devices for these teleconferencing and video conferencing might vary according to the need and preference of the organization.

The best part is that more than two people from different parts of the world can view, listen and share views and discuss to take crucial decisions very easily. Teleconference and video conferencing is not only useful for business establishments it is also used in various other fields. Particularly in education this comes in as a great aid to help students to learn faster and better. Teachers across the globe can now teach through this media. Handicapped people benefit a lot from video conferencing and they are able to visually see things which might not be possible otherwise. Thus communication through these two medias have become a very effective mode that can be used in all fields of work or leisure.