Program Reviews

After I had finished HSK1 private lessons, I found Silk Mandarin on facebook for HSK 2 level in Suzhou. From the first meeting my consultant has explained to me every detail and also the method that this school uses (slow motion method) and I was convinced from what I saw that it is a very nice organized training center. Now that I finished the lessons for HSK2 I have to mention that my choice was successful. Well educated teacher, nice environment, convenient location, lesson hours according to student needs, the teacher replied to all of my questions even at not office hours. I really enjoyed the lessons and the best thing I trully enjoyed was the explanation from teacher about the formation of Hanzi characters.
Highly recommended! Next to Suzhou center mall.

I was searching in the internet for a language school in Suzhou to start learning Chinese language. The Silk Mandarin website catched my eyes. So I contacted the Shanghai office. From the first moment I had a good feeling about that school. I did try to learn at home first. But I realised it is much too difficult for me to do so. I needed a system and a schedule. Both I found at Silk Mandarin. The school in Suzhou is located in the trousers building at Jinji Lake. Don´t know why, but I like that place in general. First contact in Suzhou I had with Amy. She´s a very friendly and nice lady. She explained me everything perfect. We created a suitable schedule for me. The introduction lesson I had with Shirley. She is also a nice teacher and explained me everything about the learning system. My lessons for HSK1 I had with Hailey. I felt myself in best hands with her. She is a very patient teacher, always friendly and competent. We had a lot of joy during the lessons but never lost sight of the goal. The teachers also offered nice weekend activities like Tai Chi, dumpling course and hiking in the Mudu mountains. Even during these activities we improved our language knowlwdge. Finally I must say it was a great experience. I can recommend the school to everybody who is looking for the best. Thanks again to all the teachers and staff.

The school is really efficient which allows you to progress at fast pace. Personally, I'm not looking to complete HSK 5 in 6 months, but I found that actually you can your own study pace. I've completed HSK 2 and 3 here within a few months and although this may sound fast; if you're practising everyday and immerse yourself, it's more than possible.

The school provides a friendly environment where you can butcher the language, thus ensuring your progress. I found the courses are expensive, but if you're motivated and dedicated, you really can make some serious progress here. It's no joke. However, after speaking to them I found they were reasonable in setting up an achievable payment plan, instead of slinging down wads of cash.

Almost finished HSK 3, and I am planning to start HSK 4 next month, after some intense review.

Silk was recommended to me by a friend, who was recommended by a friend and who was ALSO recommended by a friend, and I in turn have recommended it to even more friends! Silk combines passion from the teachers with their extensive expertise and drive to not only get you to where you want to be, but to really uncover what it is you want to get out of mandarin. The conversations I have had with my teacher Marsha have been fantastic. She's picked up on my hobbies and interests and integrated vocabulary related to them seamlessly into conversation, making it feel like I'm not working hard to learn. However, my results and speed of learning is definitely a testament to their teaching ability. They're not afraid to slow or speed things up as needed for you. In short, you will find a highly customisable course with teachers who will not be overbearing but who will inspire you to learn yourself.

SILK Mandarin was suggested to me by a good friend that has been studying there for some time. All the expectations I had were met: new offices, programs that allows you to have the most effective class based on your level and budget, enthusiastic and well prepared teachers, friendly and always available employees. If I wouldn't have had such a positive environment I would have probably quit Chinese class long time ago. First Andy, then Masha gave me the right motivations to continue. Highly recommended! I'm about to finish HSK 3, and with the limited time that I have available, Silk set me classes for my free time, keeping my interest high and allowing me not to loose what I've learned so far. If I can't partecipate to a class, there is online solution. Amazing!

After much consideration I choose Silk Mandarin because I could plan my course according to my comfort (I have two children under 5).... I am absolutely happy with the first course (HSK 1) which I just finished and immediately enrolled for HSK 2...And even got my Husband to join. I am sooo proud I can already speak little bit, and even read which I never thought I will manage to learn.. it is sooo liberating to slowly untangle our life here in Shanghai with the power of local language. Looking forward for the new course.. from the last course with Silk Mandarin, I’m fully confident to have a good time while moving forward in my journey of learning Chinese Language. I am and will always recommend Silk Mandarin school to everyone who wants to learn Mandarin.

Hanna laoshi is great specialist and person open for the world and discussion. Therefore, studying with her is not only the just the process of language skills improving, but process of open if Chinese culture and Chinese features. Also Hanna laoshi is the best teacher for one-one classes as she really cares about the students and their interests and ready to review study plan and make it as practical for the student as it can be. With all this she is kindhearted, positive and responsible person. I remember as she caught a cold and still came to the class room. Besides she really into the job she is doing, if you will lucky and become her student you will get know that she always trying to improve herself as a teacher attending some courses.

I have been in China for over five years, and for more than five years, I have attempted to learn Mandarin. During my time in Shanghai, I have tried countless tutors to apps and other language centers. I had all but given up hope that I would find an approach that worked for me, then a friend referred me to Silk mandarin.

For me, What sets Silk apart from a sea of money-hungry Chinese language training centers is their passion. From the moment you step through the door, you will be by a wave of warmth, caring, and sincerity. Before joining Silk, I had become burnt out and demotivated from my previous experience at my last Chinese language school. So many of the other programs in Shanghai advertise high tech resources and unrealistic results; this is not the case at Silk. I also found that the course consultants at other centers only care if you make it to the class, not about your actual goals. The point that makes Silk Mandarin tower above the rest is their genuine care. My course consultant Lina has taken such good care of me from the word go. I will be the first to admit; I am not an easy customer to please. Coming from a high stakes sales background, I am never shy when it comes to pushing for what I want or deserve. With Lina, the whole process was clear, consistent, and straightforward. She went above and beyond to make sure that I was satisfied with every aspect of my investment.

Another point that stood out to me about Silk was their teacher and staff retention. The majority of their team has worked in the center for over two years. Having worked in management for an English training center, I can speak firsthand to the difference that retaining teachers and staff makes to the learner experience. No matter the language or the business, you can always tell the quality of the product and the culture based on their ability to maintain their staff and their customer base.

They say that a great team starts with a great leader and I couldn’t agree more! The center director Liwen is a shining example of a leader who cares deeply for her team and her students. After speaking with her in detail about my goals and ambitions, We made a personalized study plan to ensure that I reached my full potential. She also took a personal interest in me as a student to ensure that I was matched with the correct teacher to ensure a cohesive learning experience. Her work ethic shines through in her staff and study material. I could not be happier with my decision to join Silk Mandarin and am excited to see the progress I can make!

I can happily recommend studying Mandarin at Silk Mandarin school in Shanghai.
I am currently preparing to take the HSK 6 exam. I have a deadline for passing the HSK 6 exam. Before deciding on a Mandarin school, I contacted several different Mandarin schools, met with their HSK 6 teachers and even attended several trial classes. I chose Silk Mandarin. Silk Mandarin's professionalism was the thing that won me over. They quickly matched me with an actual professional teacher (not someone who does Chinese lessons on the side of their real job) that suits my level, who is able to personalize the curriculum and teaching style for me. It is great to attend classes that are student centered instead of the usual teacher centered classes like I have attended over the years I have lived in Shanghai. In the campus the atmosphere is light and happy, the staff are friendly, approachable and ready to help.
I look forward to my classes and would like to say a big thank you to my teacher Liwen老师 and the Silk Mandarin team.

My 2 months doing the intensive HSK 3 class at Silk Mandarin has finally come to an end! I can say that the school has truly helped me to improve my mandarin level by quite a bit! I remember my progress over the weeks, with my 听力 and 语法 improving bit by bit. I was initially unable to grasp what most people said, especially within a contextual environment. But with my very patient teachers: Yanqin, David, Gemini and Jessica , my level has improved. For this, I am really satisfied with the quality of teaching that I have received over here. Most other classmates are also really motivated to learn and I was lucky to meet some great friends here at SM! I’d highly recommend their teaching and if you really do have the time, try investing a longer period of time here. Some students who have spent 7 months (starting from scratch) at this school, are already speaking fluently. The prolonged period in China, and at SM, has been one of the best Mandarin teaching I’ve ever received. 加油！

Some tips for newcomers: If you’re new here in China, register at a police station as soon as you arrive! (Especially if you’re staying at an airbnb)