I’ve been traveling to China for work since 2019, and although I primarily use English in meetings, I’ve often felt that it would be beneficial to understand at least some Chinese. Language is key to understanding a culture’s mindset, and by learning it, I can build stronger and better relationships.
I started online lessons in Europe to gain some familiarity before arriving, and now I’m taking classes twice a week at Silk Mandarin. I can really feel my progress—it’s boosting my learning!
From the beginning, Miss Mia provided excellent support, not only giving clear information about the course but also offering useful tips about the life in China, making everything smooth and stress-free. The classes are truly challenging, but I’ve been having a lot of fun. Teacher Evelyn is fantastic—she teaches very well and goes beyond the classroom, helping with everyday matters like shopping on Chinese websites and navigating daily life in Suzhou.
I just felt that there was a lack of information on how to rent a place. My husband and I faced some challenges with it, so maybe in the future, Silk Mandarin could establish partnerships with real estate agencies. That would definitely help foreigners like us.
I suggest that the school offer more extracurricular activities to help foreigners better understand Chinese history and culture. For example, weekend workshops on cooking traditional Chinese dishes like dumplings, experiencing a traditional tea ceremony, exploring the history and art of Hanzi, or practicing Tai Chi Chuan and Qi Gong. It would also be great to have fun sessions for popular Chinese sports like ping-pong and badminton.
If I were to do this again in the future, I would choose the same course. I might even add one more day, making it three times a week—but no more than that. Having free time to study has been essential for me to absorb what I’ve learned. Since I also need time to work, I found that taking classes two or three times a week is the best balance for me.
The Silk Mandarin team is truly amazing! A special thanks to Mia and Evelyn—these girls are incredible!
Beyond the language learning experience, the team went above and beyond by helping my husband organize a surprise wedding ceremony for me. They were incredibly thoughtful, paying attention to every detail and making our time in China even more special and unforgettable.