Behind the Wheel Chinese Level 1 covers beginning to intermediate level Mandarin, providing a flexible, solid and universal foundation in speaking, understanding, and creatively expressing yourself in Mandarin Chinese. An easy-to-understand companion book is provided in phonetic Pinyin, a system of representing Chinese using the English alphabet. This allows the learner to practice Mandarin quickly and easily without the frustration of learning to read Chinese characters. Chinese Level 1 features both a English and native Mandarin Chinese speaking instructors.