When Puntos de partida first published in 1981, it introduced a new era in language materials and language instruction in this country through its hallmark focus on communicative language proficiency and the development of the four skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening). Puntos en breve retains all of the hallmark characteristics of this best-selling longer text, while addressing the needs of instructors looking for a brief book. Puntos en breve is the ideal text for those instructors who love Puntos de partida but require a briefer version due to changes in program curricula, contact hours, and so forth.