I started from zero Chinese level and had low expectations on the possibility to progress in short time, but after having completed the HSK1 I can say it is a very effective approach. It is required high effort, to be honest. I have studied 2-3h per week for two months approx. This methodology based on preview (study before the class) and review (after the class) truly works in consolidating the learnings. I had Jane as teacher and I can highly recommend her. She is professional and easy going at the same time. Always willing to address my doubts and curiosity, not only on the language but also on the Chinese culture in general. Very positive experience!

Silk mandarin is the best place so far to learn Chinese. They give you too many learning materials to study. As I’ve mentioned it to them before, “It is almost impossible to not learn from Silk Mandarin”. The way they teach Chinese is very good, very practical. The teachers are very professional and make it easy to learn. They make a study plan for their students and help their students to reach their goals in learning. All the staff are very nice and caring. They also have social activities, they are very friendly and very fun.

I have been studying Chinese for a while. I recently became quite frustrated with my lack of progress and decided to travel from Australia to Shanghai to try a more immersive experience with Silk. I chose Silk as they had excellent online reviews, reasonable pricing and a great location.

The experience was exceptionally good and I plan to return in future at least once a year.

The course organisers were extremely flexible and allowed me to spend one week reviewing HSK3 in individual/private lessons (to refresh my memory) and then one week studying HSK4 in group lessons.

Here is a list of things I really liked:
*Prior to starting, the course organiser was able to accurately assess my level and place me in the correct class.
*The online learning platform was very easy to install/use to prepare for the face-to-face lessons.
*The lessons were very organised and the videos were kept short and succinct.
*The grammar/new word explanations were very easy to understand with many examples to demonstrate different use cases.
*New words were deliberately repeated throughout example sentences throughout the course to help memorise them. There were also specific videos made for words that are similar, to demonstrate how they are different
*The teachers were completely fluent in English&Chinese and they were patient, energised and friendly.
*They were willing to assist me with course queries, as well as issues/queries regarding Shanghai daily life/sightseeing.
*The course was very well paced and I never felt rushed/overwhelmed or bored.
*The course content was extensive with daily classes focusing on the core concepts, but allowing students to review as much as they like after class.
*The facilities were very good- air conditioning was good and classes were tidy and clean. Small refreshments were served during breaks.
*Some grammar points were explained using ‘Slow motion technique’ which helped me better understand things I previously learned but never quite understood
*As well as online videos/flashcards/activities, textbooks and workbooks were supplied for review after class
*The face-to-face classes were engaging and fun. We all had a good laugh!

The reason why I chose this school is because I want to build my speaking skills.
I studied Chinese at a university before I came to Silk mandarin, and what I learned is almost for HSK exam. That was very helpful when I was in beginner level, but I felt it would be less practical in higher level. Also there were about 20 people in a one class, so there is not enough time to practice speaking during the class for each person.
The class in Silk mandarin is small groups, so I feel it’s much better environment to practice speaking skills.

Even when I was learning the basic Chinese statements for 3 months before to arrive to Shanghai, once arrived, It was almost impossible to detect the words and accent from people and they also didn't understood me.
Some colleagues with more time living in Shanghai has been studying in Silk Mandarin and they recommend me to start. It was the best decision I made.
My Teacher Nina, is super comprehensive, the way and technique to help you understand on how to start and then develop your daily life with simple phrases and key words from inside and outside the books.
I think this is the culture from Silk Mandarin, they will help you to learn Chinese with tools, technique, metodologies, etc. But the most important, they will listen your needs and they will be as flexible as needed to add it to the class and help you on that.

I recently completed HSK2 and couldn't be more pleased with the experience. The curriculum was thoughtfully structured, balancing grammar, vocabulary, and conversational skills. My teacher is incredibly knowledgeable and supportive, always ready to answer questions and provide personalized feedback. The interactive lessons and audio materials made learning engaging and enjoyable. I feel much more confident in my Chinese language abilities now. Highly recommend this course to anyone looking to learn or improve their Chinese!

I have really enjoyed learning Chinese at Silk Mandarin. I think I have made much more progress in less time. The teacher, Hanna, answers our questions and always goes at our pace. I have learned more about the logic of the language, which has made it easier for me to advance. Slow motion technique is very useful, help me a lot to say sentences in the correct way. The teacher is concise and ensures that we have understood the lesson. The theacher very good!! Thank you thank you thank you thank you

Attending Silk Mandarin in Shanghai has been a transformative experience for my Chinese language learning journey. Prior to enrolling, I relied on various Chinese learning apps, which were helpful but couldn't compare to the immersive and interactive environment provided by live teachers at Silk Mandarin. The instructors are incredibly attentive, meticulously listening to and correcting my pronunciation, which has significantly improved my speaking skills.

The workload is manageable, but to truly benefit from the program, I found that investing 30 to 60 minutes per day for practice is essential. This daily commitment has allowed me to fully immerse myself in the language and make steady progress.

Completing the HSK1 course at Silk Mandarin was a pivotal moment for me. Without the structured guidance and support from the school, I wouldn't have reached my current proficiency level. The curriculum is well-designed, and the teachers are both knowledgeable and encouraging, making the learning process both effective and enjoyable.

I highly recommend Silk Mandarin to anyone serious about learning Chinese. The combination of expert instruction, a supportive learning environment, and the necessary daily practice has made all the difference in my language acquisition.