This textbook is designed to satisfy the linguistic needs of medical and paramedical personnel who deal with Spanish-speaking individuals. It is adaptable to individualized and self-paced programs. The material stresses career-oriented "need-to-know" Spanish, relevant cultural awareness materials, practical role-playing exercises and task assignments. Mexican-American terminology is used with footnotes for Puerto Rican variations. It deemphasizes grammar and the solving of grammatical problems. Text material has been thoroughly researched from both a professional and a linguistic point of view and is based on realistic and authentic situations. All vocabulary is practical and is presented in context with lively cartoon-type visual cues. Dialogue non-verbal cues are in comic strip format with the written text on the open page to the right for easy reference. Content provides for intensive development of oral expression, listening comprehension, and reading knowledge of basic Spanish required in performing specialized functions. Also included are relevant phonetics, vocabulary, and cultural material. (Author/AMH)