It is a concise and user-friendly book designed for English speakers studying Chinese at the beginner's level. It is ideal for casual study, either as self-study or for an evening class. The simplified Chinese characters are used alongside the pinyin and English throughout the entire book so that students can decide whether or not they would like to focus on just listening and speaking or also learn to read and write. With its focus on communication, students will learn only the most useful phrases found in daily dialogues. Fast Track Chinese is also designed for people who have no prior knowledge or minimal knowledge of Chinese Putonghua (Mandarin). Pinyin, Chinese characters, and English are used in a parallel format throughout the whole book so as to meet the needs of different learners. It will give students the opportunity to gain confidence in using vocabulary and grammar most relevant to everyday situations, thereby equipping students with the skills and confidence necessary to live and work in a Putonghua-speaking environment, making it a concise and practical book that is easily used by both teachers and students.