Ultimate Chinese covers comprehensive grammar, reading, writing, culture, and conversation. The course contains a 416-page book with eight 60-minute recordings. All 40 lessons begin with a lively, authentic dialogue. Additional sections explain grammar and usage, offer additional, related vocabulary, quiz students on their progress, and provide interesting cultural information. Topics include: At a Teahouse, Visiting the Summer Palace, Talking about Calligraphy, Eating Peking Duck, Preparing a Wedding, Chinese Opera, Spring Festival, and On the Bund.

The eight hours of recordings are separated into two sets. The first set of recordings (Learn at Home) is in the target language only and is meant to be used with the manual. The second set of recordings (Learn on the Go) contains both English and the target language so learners hear conversation and speak without the book -- exactly as they would in real-life situations. Learners can use this second set of recordings in the car, at the gym, or anywhere.