Silk Mandarin Language School

Silk Mandarin Language School Reviews

Mike
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Mandarin School in Shanghai!

I have tried different Mandarin schools in Shanghai, and Silk Mandarin is by far the best one. Alina first helped me find the plan that best suited my needs and paired me up with an amazing teacher named Jane (Jane laoshi)! Laoshi Jane helped by going over some difficult concepts and didn’t try to rush me through the chapters, like some of the other schools do. Silk’s on-line platform, ClassIn, is easy to navigate and has several learning tools such as worksheets, videos, flash cards and quizzes. I highly recommend Silk to anyone, whether they like in China or are just here for a short time.

What was your funniest moment?
Putting my friend through the car wash without a car!
Pros
  • Big
  • Fun
  • Affordable
What other participants should know
  • Commuter school
Sherry
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Setting Up Students for Success from Day 1

I wanted to re-learn Chinese after studying a bit years ago in high-school. Before Silk Mandarin I did self study with apps and text books. After 2 years, I had made good progress but felt like I needed more instruction as I entered the intermediate level. I'd been a fan of Silk Mandarin's social media for a while and decided to attend their adult summer camp program in Shanghai.

While I was there I reviewed my past studies to sort out any errors I had picked up during self study. This is a common problem with self study because you might not even realize that you misunderstand a concept. I also got to know Silk Mandarin's amazing staff and had so many memorable experiences. The challenge of navigating daily life in China also encouraged me to keep learning and improve faster.

After an amazing on campus experience I knew continuing with Silk Mandarin's Blended Learning Course was the right choice. It offered videos and digital content to further explain the textbook content, and time with a teacher. All of these features are important because they make learning Mandarin easier and more engaging.

The Blended Learning Course leverages Silk Mandarin's Slow Motion Technique, a technique that is simple but makes all grammar easier to learn. When paired with teachers who are knowledgeable and highly engaged with students, you feel like you are set up for success.

In just 30 hours my teacher guided me through HSK 3 with individualized lessons. Not only did we cover an entire level in what would have taken me 6 months alone. Since I don't get the opportunity to speak Mandarin in daily life, class time and teacher feedback is essential. My teacher also ensures that I get extra practice where I need it the most and relates the lessons to real life usage of the language points. I could spend years with apps or text books and still not grasp the nuances and real conversational uses of Mandarin.

After trying a wide variety of Mandarin language learning approaches, I can confidently say that Silk Mandarin's blended learning curriculum uniquely supports language learners of all ages and backgrounds. I always thought it would be nice to be able to speak a second language, but with the blended learning course my aspiration can be a reality.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Being an adult student is difficult because some days you are so tired from work. My teacher helps me engaged with coursework and also adjusts pace when needed.
Pros
  • Effective teaching techniques
  • Individualized lessons
  • Affordable pricing
What other participants should know
  • Occasional platform issues (rare)
Stefano
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Silk Mandarin? Not just a language school. 😎

I’m really happy with my experience at Silk Mandarin! From the start, Coco was so kind and helpful, making the whole process of getting started very easy and welcoming. The reception staff are also always friendly and ready to help you find your classroom, which makes everything run smoothly. My teacher, Jane Wu, has been absolutely wonderful — she makes learning Chinese feel approachable and not intimidating at all, even for a complete beginner like me. Her lessons are clear, engaging, and always encouraging. Thanks to her, I feel much more confident and motivated to continue my Chinese learning journey!

Fabiana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I was not sure I could learn until Silk

I had a first bad contact with mandarin and was sure I could never learn the language but after a few months having classes on Silk Mandarin I feel like I am learning and improving. The first class the sounds and writing characters being so different I was scary and afraid, but after knowing my teacher and connecting with her I felt safe to make mistakes and learn in the process. The school space is great and teachers and staff are friendly and very nice. The building is under renovation that makes access a little hard but nothing big

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The first class the sounds and writing characters being so different I was scary and afraid, but after knowing my teacher and connecting with her I felt safe to make mistakes and learn in the process
Pros
  • School space
  • Teacher friendly
What other participants should know
  • School building under renovation
Sam
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Silk Mandarin - My Best Chinese Learning Experience!

I studied the HSK4 content with 春艳老师 for 8 months, part-time in the mornings.
Our class size was 4 students, meaning there was lots of time for each of us to contribute to the class.

I was very happy with the class, and my learning progress has been fantastic.
The school has lots of learning materials to help with mastering the new words, and the teachers can see where you are making mistakes through their online learning platform.

It's a great setup and will improve your Chinese very quickly! I cant recommend it enough

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I asked my teacher if I could deliver a presentation about a story in Chinese.

I was very nervous because there were a lot of words that I needed to memorise that were quite difficult, alongside presenting the story in an interesting way.

I overcame that part by sending the PPT to my teacher and having them check my work before going in, and practicing with a friend beforehand
Pros
  • Online materials to help master new words quickly
  • In-class focussed on speaking
  • Additional online materials for extended study
What other participants should know
  • Price tag is a little high
  • Sales team can be difficult to get a hold of
  • Out-of-hours content is wholly managed by the teacher
Kelly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Family summer camp

We just returned from an incredible two-week family camping trip in Shanghai with Silk Mandarin, and it exceeded all our expectations! From the moment we began planning our trip, the school was highly responsive and attentive to our requests, making the entire process seamless.

We had the luxury of not worrying about a thing, as Silk Mandarin expertly organized our daily itinerary. Our mornings were spent at the school, where we focused on learning grammar and expanding our vocabulary. After a delightful lunch featuring a variety of authentic Chinese dishes, we would embark on excursions to places like a chocolate factory or popular tourist attractions. These outings provided us with the perfect opportunity to practice our Chinese and immerse ourselves in the language and culture.

The experience was so enjoyable that our kids are already asking to return to China next year!

Additionally, we encountered an unexpected challenge during our trip when we were involved in a car accident. The school was incredibly proactive in supporting us during this stressful time. A teacher even came to the hospital late at night to assist us, which we truly appreciated.

We highly recommend Silk Mandarin and can’t wait for our next adventure in China!

Lisa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great School to improve your Chinese

Silkmandarin was a great choice to improve my Chinese. I was able to start at my specific level (after an online test and a meet-up with one of the teachers), as they offered review classes. Also, they offer a special Hanzi course to catch up with all the Characters, so I could be ready to start HSK3.

The teachers are all very nice and helpful, and they listen to my feedback.

The school also offers social events, where you can meet new people and practise your Chinese:)

I cannot give any feedback on the housing, as this was not relevant to me.

Aurora
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience

My son spent two weeks here studying Chinese, and the experience was fantastic!! The school, facilities, and staff are incredible. The school is located in a modern, clean, and well-maintained building.

Parents are always informed about what their kids do during the classes. They organize trips every week with the kids, which is fantastic and really good for them to improve their language. They make kids feel at home and happy. Beyond language skills, she’s also embracing the rich culture, making this a wonderful win-win for her personal growth and happiness. The program offers not only engaging Mandarin classes but also enriching field trips that provide real-life practice and cultural experiences.

I highly recommend the Silk Summer camp! Everything was perfect!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Nothing
Pros
  • Staff
  • Facilites
  • Location
What other participants should know
  • None
  • None
  • None
Roisin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great teaching, Super Supportive and Encouraging!

I've been learning Chinese with Silk Mandarin for almost a year now.

I've had a great experience with Silk Mandarin. The teaching layout is really helpful with exercises on their online platform ClassIn.

I also have one-on-one speaking classes. My teacher, YanQin, has been really encouraging, patient, and supportive during my Chinese learning journey. Silk Mandarin has made the challenge of learning Chinese fun and enjoyable!

Would highly recommend this learning service to anyone looking to learn Chinese!

Philippe Martin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Flexible time and patient teachers!

The online classes are flexible and the 老师’s are very professional. They are patient and easy to get along with. They first determine your language level and guide you to get to the next level. They cater to the specific needs of the students and have practical expectations. I highly rate them for students who have been stuck at a certain level in language learning. The teachers are very patient at as well and very informative in teaching. The classes are quite expensive but there are payment schemes that can suit everyone.

Pros
  • flexible time
  • Patient teachers
  • Professional
What other participants should know
  • Expensive