Educated in China and the U.S., Swihart has taught Chinese to university students in the U.S. for 19 years. She offers a beginning-level text for English speakers who plan to visit or work in China and want to be able to get around independently; a parallel reading and writing text is also available in the series. Following an introductory chapter on the standard Chinese phonetic writing system and the pronunciation of standard Chinese, subsequent chapters cover the language needed for everyday life: counting, money, eating at a cafeteria, eating at a restaurant, making phone calls, staying at a hotel, asking for directions, telling time, and calendars. Key explanations and exercises are included on the accompanying set of two audio CDs. The text is also suitable for use in regular college courses, immersion programs, intensive summer programs, and language training schools. No subject index. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR