As a beginner, and according to what I found to be true when learning other languages, I needed something to help me learn Chinese according to the way my brain is indexed..... not always the conventional way, I admit. But the versatility of this program proved to be exactly what I needed. My suggestion is that you play with it daily...... its surprising how much you will retain when you use it to assist in a manner in which you need easy solutions to your questions. The more I played with it, the longer I found myself using it, and the faster I retained what I was researching. Dont hesitate, and dont give up without giving it your all....... I think, you, too, will soon find Chinese Pro to be amazing . . . . .