This 'Teach yourself Chinese' pack allows the user to pace themselves as fast or as slow as they like. When I first flicked through the book, I thought this is too much to handle. But after giving myself the chance to listen to the cassette along with the book, the task was easier. The book alone is not enough to learn this language. The different tones in this language is easily digested with the help of the speaker on the cassette. The dialogues are easy to relate to as they are of day to day situations. I.e. Visiting friends, Greetings etc. This book has not taught me the whole of the language but it has given me the basic skills that I require to communicate if I ever meet a chinese person. Well worth the price!