Program Reviews

I enjoy learning Chinese with Silk Mandarin. I had previously had not so great success with a private tutor and found that when I switched to classes from Silk my Chinese really started improving and I could start making full sentences instead of just knowing some words. I like their teaching methods (flashcards, talking pen, work books) and also they have fun group outings which is a great way to meet people and practice Chinese in a social setting. So far the scheduling has been flexible which I appreciate as I also work full time.

I came to Shanghai speaking absolutely no Chinese but because of the classes at Silk Mandarin, I have made a lot of progress in a little over a year—I can now read short, easy texts written entirely in characters and have basic conversations with taxi drivers and wait staff at restaurants. The teachers at Silk are knowledgeable, personable, and patient. They use a number of different teaching methods to help students learn the material, and the slow motion technique explains much of Chinese grammar in a really logical way. The teachers and staff are also incredibly helpful in navigating life in China, and they’ve regularly gone above and beyond to solve small problems for me. Even the students I’ve met at Silk are amazing and have become good friends. I highly recommend Silk Mandarin for any level of Chinese learner and I’m constantly telling my friends who want to learn Chinese that they should enroll in classes there.

Today marks 6 months since I’ve been with Silk Mandarin with Yanqin Laoshi. I tried several schools in Shanghai before committing to one, but during the trial lesson, the first 2 weeks intensive course & bi-weekly lessons since, I feel I made the right choice with Silk. Yanqin tailors each lesson to my learning requirements, sets good homework & her classes change style & tempo depending on what I’m struggling with & what I’m doing well.
I have a long way to go, but after learning Chinese for 2 years in Chengdu, I can really feel the development in the last 6 months

I moved to Shanghai 4 months ago and a friend of mine recommend me Silk Mandarin. The school offers great and different classes. A unique technique, interactive classes and very skillful teachers are helping you to improve quickly! And it is always fun and you meet a lot of interesting people. Besides that the school offers different cultural activities and makes you feel more home in a new city. After three months I can get a long with my Chinese in my daily life and looking forward to improve my skills thanks to Silk Mandarin!

I first noticed Silk Mandarin when i saw them at their booth at the yearly Expat fair in Jing’an (downtown Shanghai). I had tried other Chinese schools before so it didn’t really get my attention at first but then i saw 3 familiar foreign faces on their billboards advocating about the school. After a great talk with Silk Mandarin at their booth i phoned the 3 faces from the billboards just to be sure that this school would be different and better that the other ones i had tried. They all confirmed it and after being a student at Silk for a little over a year i can say that i surely have been more than happy with their way of teaching. My teacher Yanqin has been way above all expectations. What i love most about our classes is that she gives me the time and attention to go over whatever question i could have in Chinese instead of strictly sticking to the book and curriculum. She’s always smiling and that energy just makes it a true pleasure to go to class every time!

I had a career break and wanted to get settled in Shanghai. Living there, it makes sense to learn the basics of the language and the culture. The course from HsK 1 to 3 is very flexible, it can adjust to your individual needs while still being embedded in some small groups from up to 4 students. It’s great if you don’t know how long you can stay exactly and how much time to invest. Loved it and with 2 different teachers each day, you can learn about different teaching methods and get used to different accents.

I am General Manager of my Spanish company branch in Asia and I needed to improve my chinese skills focused on business, vocabulary, speaking, etc. I joined 2 plus 1 Business Chinese lessons and experience is being great. Now I am able to have business meeting with my suppliers without need of my chinese coleagues. The school and the staff are simply fantastic. Convenient location at Jingan area, native teachers totally bilingual. I’m totally sure I will pass BCT exam. That’s my next goal with Silk Mandarin. Thanks for this experience!

I had classes during almost a year once a week. My teacher Was amazing. Always very energetic, positive, passionate with her job and really patient! She is very talented to teach language. I learned a lot with her. She is quite well structured, method is efficient, and always available when I have a question. The school is very welcoming and professional. I really enjoyed the method which gave me a great learning experience mixing interactions, reading and listening - I will definitely continue my learning with Silk Mandarin.

The course consists of good themes, valuable for living in the country.
I was very lucky to have my teacher Hailey. She is very patient.
I, as working person, can't spend enough time for systematic review. But she always explained me the theme again if needed.
It's very necessary to have someone, who can help you with language in real life. This kind of person is my teacher. She helps me all the time, not only working hours.
Furthermore, school proposes different kids of extra activities for learning culture, not only Chinese language. For example, for me playing Mangjong was very fascinating
I'd like to have more time for each theme to practice. Also it would be good to include more pinyin pronunciation practice into the book.

I have been a student at Silk Mandarin in Shanghai for 7 months. My choice could not be more appropriate.
Amy and all the staff has been friendly and exhaustive introducing me the school.
After a trial lesson I have started one to one sessions twice a week, with my super teacher Yanqin.
Every class is perfectly managed with a clear structure and you can feel the knowledge and the competence of the teacher. She is ready to answer to all my questions and makes me feel at ease to speak.
The slow motion method is great and makes easier to build up sentences; also the other tools recommended by the school, such as cards and pen reader are useful and help you a lot while studying to get the right pronunciation.
Silk Mandarin has made me feel in love with Chinese language and culture to the point that now that I have moved back to Italy, I am still having remote classes using the ClassIn app, which is an amazing e-learning platform, and I am willing to take the HSK examinations.
I definitely recommend Silk Mandarin: a high standard, professional, experienced and welcoming school.