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Silk Mandarin Language School

Why choose Silk Mandarin Language School?

We at Silk Mandarin believe that understanding each other’s language and culture unites people. It is our mission to teach Mandarin and Chinese culture to all who have an interest in it, whatever their ambition, background or age, and wherever they are.

Since we opened our doors early 2015, our ground-breaking Slow Motion Technique has proven to be the key to learn Mandarin faster and with fun. Our high quality teaching and service has helped thousands of students to reach their learning goal and turned their dreams into reality.

Silk Mandarin offers flexible learning with online and offline classes, intensives and part-time courses, and Chinese camps for kids in Shanghai and Suzhou. Experience our innovative Blended Learning, the perfect combination of video classes and face-to-face sessions.

Founded
2015

Reviews

Default avatar
Marietou Inatou
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Exceptional Learning Experience at Silk Mandarin Thanks to Teacher Sisi, an Outstanding Teacher.

My experience at Silk Mandarin Language Training Institute has been truly exceptional, largely thanks to my teacher, Teacher Sisi.

Teacher Sisi has a rare talent for fully adapting to the needs of each of her students. She carefully adjusts her explanations to ensure that everyone, regardless of their level, can follow and truly understand. She shows great listening skills and empathy, always taking the time to hear her students' questions and difficulties, and responding with patience and clarity. What I particularly appreciate is that she never rushes through her lessons. She moves at a pace that matches the students' needs, making sure that everyone has properly understood before moving on.

The atmosphere she creates in class is also remarkable: positive, supportive, and full of energy. Teacher Sisi is funny, engaging, and knows how to make learning Chinese enjoyable and lively. In addition, she is highly professional and punctual, and she provides a wide variety of practical exercises to strengthen our understanding and consolidate what we have learned.

Thanks to her, learning Chinese is not just a linguistic challenge, but a joyful and motivational journey, making every class something to look forward to.

I would like to warmly thank the entire team at Silk Mandarin Language Training Institute for their dedication and the outstanding quality of their teaching. I sincerely recommend this school, and Teacher Sisi in particular, to anyone who wishes to learn Chinese in a serious, caring, and inspiring environment.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate sweet meat for the first time at a school dinner. I didn't like it too much, but the other dishes were very good and the dinner was pleasant.
Pros
  • Discover a new culture
  • Learn a new language
  • Personnel development
Cons
  • Difficulty of integration
  • The climate
  • Administration difficulty
Default avatar
Adele Bernadette Raissa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Testimonial about Silk Mandarin

Before joining SILK Mandarin, I had never studied Chinese seriously. I had only used a few apps, but it was superficial, and I wasn’t making real progress. I lacked structure, consistency, and above all, real support.

What made me choose SILK Mandarin was the warm and personalized approach I felt from the start. Everyone was kind, professional, and truly willing to help.

Since starting classes, my learning journey has completely changed. The courses are intensive – that’s true – and it can be challenging at times, but our teacher Sisi is always there to encourage us. She is gentle, very patient, and truly listens. She explains clearly, gives us varied exercises, revisits difficult points, and always makes the classes engaging.

I was also amazed by the innovative teaching methods: the Slow Motion Technique, which makes grammar easier to understand, and the Magical Talking Cards, which help with memory.

A very important point for me: my son is also very well cared for by the staff and teachers. Their support means I can focus on my learning without worry. I’m truly touched by their kindness.

And of course, I must mention Coco, our consultant, who’s been with us since the beginning. She made every step of our move to Suzhou easier – from finding an apartment to solving daily issues. She’s always there for us.

I feel truly happy at SILK Mandarin. You’re not just a student here – you’re guided, supported, and part of a real community. I’m very grateful to be part of it.

What would you improve about this program?
Honestly, it’s hard to say what could be improved in this program. Everything is so well thought-out: the learning materials, the platform, the quizzes, the videos, the teachers… it all works together seamlessly.

What I appreciate the most is that I never feel alone in this journey — there’s always someone there to help, guide, and encourage.

If I had to mention something, maybe just having more informal moments to speak Chinese freely, to laugh, and practice without pressure. But really, that’s more of a wish than a need — the team is already incredibly supportive. You can feel how passionate they are, and that truly makes all the difference.
Pros
  • The good vibes
  • We feel like family
  • Outside of classes. They help us integrate and accompany us in all even in daily life
Default avatar
Hasan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fast, Fun and Effective Chinese Learning

Learning Chinese used to feel impossible—confusing grammar, hard-to-remember characters, and no idea where to start. But Silk Mandarin completely changed that for me.

Their Slow Motion Technique made sentence structure so clear, and the character cards and daily video previews were super helpful. I completed HSK1 to HSK4 and Business Chinese in just 6 months, thanks to the perfect mix of group and private classes.

What made it even better were the monthly activities like fun trips, cultural events, and school parties. The vibe at the school was always friendly and motivating. I met amazing people from all over the world, and the teachers were always supportive and passionate.

If you're serious about learning Mandarin in a fun, effective, and welcoming environment, Silk is the place to be!

Pros
  • Fast
  • Effective
  • Fun
Default avatar
José
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wonderful time studying in Silk Mandarin

I have had such a great experience learning at Silk Mandarin. I did a level 5 one-on-one and a group class with Catherine for 3 weeks, and now I am doing a level 5 one-on-one class online with Sisi. Going to class was and is super fun.

Silk Mandarin has been wonderful in my language learning so far. I have tried different schools and courses, but what stood out with Silk Mandarin is:
- Well-structured preparation.
- Fantastic teachers.

I highly recommend this school and encourage anyone to put in the hands-on work of studying. Silk Mandarin helps me to form a solid foundation on which I can build.

Default avatar
Kagiso
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Silk Mandarin Language Institution

Learning before Silk Mandarin was a difficult task, as I did not know where to begin.
I tried applying the methods for learning English to Mandarin, and unfortunately did not succeed.

I heard of Silk Mandarin while browsing through WeChat channels, and was curios to join. I really liked the methods they used to make mandarin learning an interactive experience, such as their unique teahcing methodology, slow motion technique, talking cards and monthly school activities.

I've really learnt so much during my time here and look forward to becoming a fluent speaker.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would have started learning Mandarin, in a classroom setting, a whole lot sooner!

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Matthew Fidler

Matthew Fidler has lived and worked as an educator in the cities of Shanghai, Taipei, and Suzhou. He has a great interest in studying Chinese culture, history, and (of course) language. He began studying Mandarin at National Taiwan Normal University and thanks to assistance from teachers at NTNU and Silk Mandarin has achieved success in the HSK exams.

Interview

Why did you choose this program?

When I arrived in Suzhou for work I wanted to expand on my Chinese reading, writing, speaking and listening. To that end, I needed a school which would be willing to go beyond simple conversational lessons and be willing to help me with my reading and writing as well. In addition, because I was working, I required an institution capable of working around my busy schedule. During my first visit to their facilities I was very impressed by the professionalism of Silk Mandarin’s staff and the quality of their instructional materials. I knew that it was the right place to achieve my goals.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Since I was already living and working in Suzhou I thought there weren’t many things I needed my school to set up for me. However, my program still assisted me with many things to facilitate my language learning. My school provided textbooks and workbooks, as well as access to their library of graded readers. Most conveniently, when the time came, they arraigned for me to take the HSK test appropriate to my level and handled the shipping and reception of my official scores. I was responsible for helping to select a class and homework schedule which worked for both me and my teacher.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Do not allow setbacks to become disasters! Learning any language is difficult and learning a language with a completely different writing system is doubly so. I personally had many situations where poor pronunciation or imperfect use of grammar led to a misunderstanding in my daily life in China. This can lead to a decrease in your motivation to learn and a decrease in your practice time. Fortunately I had a great teacher who worked hard to reignite my passion for Chinese and this kept my motivation from fading away. The only way to fail at learning a language is by giving up!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

The average day or week in this program varies based on the needs and situation of the student. For my part I attended an individual class three times a week for two hours before heading off to my workplace. Students with a less hectic schedule can opt for longer group classes and can take advantage of the many recreational and cultural events that the school organises for weekends and holidays. Still, no matter your schedule, there are always opportunities to interact with staff and other students as part of the Silk Mandarin community.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear in going abroad was that I would not be accepted into a community and that I would fail in my language learning goals. My language program and the welcoming people of China helped me overcome these fears. I always felt like I was part of a learning community among my fellow students and my accommodating teachers. When you have people you can ask questions to and bounce ideas off of the day to day difficulties of living abroad become much more manageable. My fear of failure was further mollified as I saw my conversations with locals become more fluid and comprehensible. Over time I started to view interacting in Chinese not as a frightening prospect, but as a fun and helpful way to test knowledge and learn new ways of communicating.

How did this program accommodate your unique learning style and language goals?

Silk Mandarin was extremely focused on my goals from the outset: when I explained that I wanted to pass HSK tests within a certain timeframe they immediately started working out a study plan to get me where I wanted to be when I wanted to be there. As my unique weaknesses and strengths started to become apparent my teacher adjusted our activities in class. For example in order to address my low HSK listening scores much more time was spent on listening practice. What’s more, as time went on and my priorities shifted my teacher was willing and able to help me with new goals and ambitions. A good example of this is when I wanted to become more proficient in writing Chinese characters from memory and so my teacher assigned and even graded additional writing practice on top of the program’s standard workbook homework. The flexibility and individual care I received is perhaps what I found most impressive about Silk Mandarin’s program.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Cong Meng

Job Title
Teacher
8 years of Chinese teaching experience since graduating. Worked for some places Chinese training institutes like Mandarin Morning and Mandarin House, also a Chinese intensive program at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
Cong Meng with brunette hair and red lipstick smiling with her head resting on her arms

What is your favorite travel memory?

I have lots of travel memory, but my favorite travel memory was the trip to Chengdu & Chongqing in 2016.

That was my first time travel to see my net friends. Chengdu &Chongqing were such big difference from my hometown. The foods, the people, the life, the traffic left me a really deep impression.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I feel like I changed a lot compare to the beginning. When I just join Silk Mandarin, I only want to do is just have classes, I really didn't want to join any school activities. As time changed, I changed my opinion, activities really can help our students to enjoy real Chinese life and they have more chances to practice their Chinese not only in class. I'm also studying hard for myself about more fun teaching skills to be a popular teacher.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Recently I have a student who's from the United States. When I first received her informations, I was surprised that her Chinese was quite good. I was so curious that how she learned Chinese in only one year. And she told me she learned Chinese only because she watched a very popular TV show called <Mó Dào Zǔ Shī>, and she was really be attracted in that world what the story built. And one of the main actors was also her style. So she really wants to know the real Chinese culture.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would like to choose product development program. As time changing, the way people learning also needs to be changed. A smart learning way is becoming more and more important. I want to find out more interesting products to help Silk's students's Chinese learning.

Although this would be a big challenge to me, but I would like to try.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

I have a lot of different experiences before I worked for my current company. I do have to say, a good company needs to have a wise boss!! I have seen many different types of bosses, and I really like Silk's bosses. They really have a very clear goal and a very clear steps to made us achieve this goal. They also know us well, and always understand us. I think it was the time when we had our yearly summarize meeting this March. Specially I've heard a lot of institutes closed at 2020, but we still did our best last year. This really made me proud of my team.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I believe that in being a successful company, we need have a very clear mission. And need to have a very clear way to achieve this mission step by step.

At Silk Mandarin, we are all good partners. We always have passions for working and living. You can always feel friendly, Kindly, warm-hearted, and help from your colleagues. And these will also make you enjoy your work.