Program Reviews

If you actually want to learn Chinese, study at Silk Mandarin. It’s not the cheapest, but that is because the quality is the best you’re going to be able to find, especially if you’re a beginner. Here are my two main reasons why Silk is worth it: 1. Class Size - The group classes have a limit at 6 students, so you’re guaranteed to get tons of personal attention from your teacher and have the opportunity to speak a lot, which is what you actually need if you’re going to improve, especially at the early levels. 2. Teachers- The teachers here are the best. I had Jessica for HSK 1, Christina and Jessica for HSK 2, Jessica for HSK 3, and now David and Jessica for HSK 4. Christina is a boss. She don’t mess around and she makes grammar so easy to understand. Jessica is my savior, my fearless leader, my tug boat, pulling me along even when I have no gas left. She explains things so clearly that you don’t think you’re learning until you look back a few chapters and realize that you understand everything. Seriously, a teacher goddess. David is my newest teacher and is perfect for my HSK 4 needs and desires. His English is so goddamn good, which is really helpful because he can explain the nuances between similar words that a textbook can’t (really, the textbook sucks at this). This is very useful for me at the higher level now that my vocabulary is a little bigger (ex. Think about the difference between “but, although, actually, even though, even if, etc... “). He also has a decent sense of humor.

So yea, if you want to pretend to learn Chinese, buy some textbooks and “study” at Starbucks or go to a school where you’re listening to a teacher with 15 other students in the class and you never have a chance to speak. But, if you really want to learn Chinese rapidly, try Silk Mandarin out. I started mid HSK 1 in October (I had taken a single Chinese course two years before in America), and now 5 and half months (April) later I am mid-HSK 4 and a few months away from being conversationally fluent. I am so thankful I found this school and would recommend it wholeheartedly.

This is my 4th year in China and it’s been very challenging to get started learning Chinese.Finally I felt like I need to give myself a push.Shanghai is full of schools ready to provide you with Chinese courses but Silk Mandarin successed to surpass all of them .When I entered their office I was surprised how caring ,attentive ,cheerful and full of enthusiasm their stuff was.It was love at first sight.With the tools and books provided after a short but convincing demo I got inspired and motivated to start ASAP.Since then I never regreted my choice.I came to SM with very basic knowledge but having a private lesson twice a week moved me forward pretty fast.In 2 months I started HSK 3 .My tutor Andy and I became friends from the very first class. She always knew what’s the best way to answer all my silly questions and how to explain the most complicated cultural and grammatical peculiarities built -in Chinese language . I hope very soon my “vocabulary”based HSK3 will grow into “character” based level but it all depends on me now.Thanks,Silk Mandarin for this big step I managed to make.

After studying at Silk Mandarin for three years, I can see now a great improvement in my Chinese level, all thanks to the strong commitment of my dedicated teacher Lexie with the back up of the whole Silk Mandarin school.
At Silk Mandarin I can feel the support of a professional team that through the modern tools used  in class, the programmed events, and the different activities, helps me not only to achieve my goals as student but also to immerse, enjoy, and understand the Chinese culture.
As an expat in China and due to my busy schedule it is very difficult for me to join any group class or follow a regular curse, thanks to Silk Mandarin and his one on one flexible plans I have the opportunity to easily combine both job and Chinese lessons, arranging the time and the place of the classes according to my needs.

Translation: Two months after I worked as a resident in Shanghai, I realized the need for Chinese and found Silk Mandarin. We met Planer Amy for the first time, helping to ensure that all classes were happening smoothly, fluent English and unique kindness helped us to make our last lesson uncomfortable. My teacher, Liwen, took a group class for the first month and a 1: 1 private class next month. Although it was not Chinese, I have never met a good teacher like Mr. Liwen after many language academies and tutoring. I was very fluent in English as well as basic about personality and punctuality, and I had lots of experience in Chinese education, so every class was good and fun. Thanks to its excellent system and good teachers, I was able to find fun in Chinese, and now I am able to survive in China.

상해에서 주재원으로 근무한지 두 달 뒤에 중국어의 필요성을 크게 실감하고 Silk Mandarin을 찾게 되었습니다. 모든 수업이 원활히 이루어지도록 도와주는 플래너 Amy를 그 때 처음 만나게 되었고, 유창한 영어와 특유의 친절함으로 마지막 수업까지 불편함이 없도록 도와주었습니다. 저는 저의 선생님 Liwen과 처음 한달은 그룹 클래스로, 다음달은 1:1개인 클래스를 수강하게 되었습니다. 중국어는 아니었지만, 그간 많은 어학학원, 과외등을 거쳐오면서 Liwen 선생님처럼 좋은 선생님을 만나본 적이 없었던 것 같습니다. 인성이나 수업시간 엄수등에 대한 베이직은 물론이고 굉장히 유창한 영어를 구사하셨고, 중국어 교육에 대한 경험이 많으셨기 때문에 매 수업이 유익하고 즐거웠습니다. 규모에 걸맞는 훌륭한 시스템과 훌륭한 선생님들 덕분에 중국어에 대한 재미를 찾을 수 있었고, 덕분에 현재에는 중국에서 생활 생존(?)이 가능한 실력을 갖추게 되었습니다. Thank you, Silk Mandarin!

A month after relocating to Shanghai for work reasons. I was suggested by a Danish couple of friends to start my Chinese language course in Silk Mandarin . Since they lived here for a long time , they did try many venues for learning Mandarin and strongly recommended me this place . Upon their advice I contacted the school and they arranged for me a free demo class to explain their ,indeed, innovative methods of teaching , I immediately enrolled for a beginner private one-on-one course to have more flexibility in my schedule. After 7 months of learning here I am glad to say that I started communicating with Mandarin which enhanced my life in and outside work environment . Thanks to Andy , my teacher who has a fantastic way of simplifying things and great patience for a starter like me . Her passion and dedication to teaching motivates me to study and more and my level is improving steadily although my tight work schedules. She even helped me with many terms and expressions that I use daily at work which is out of the curriculum . I would definitely suggest Silk Mandarin for any foreign new comers to China

I have been doing the online course as I am based in Shenzhen and it has exceeded my expectations. My teacher Shirley has been exceptional and I literally look forward to each class. I would highly recommend Silk to anyone trying to learn Chinese. At the time of writing this review, I have only had 12 classes and I have already learnt more Chinese than I have in the previous year of living in China. I initially thought that I have no desire to learn to read the characters, but my ability to speak Chinese has improved as my knowledge of the characters has developed. The flashcards that Silk provide are also an added benefit to anyone who wants to learn as they mean you can continue learning and recognising characters in your own time at your own pace and with your own desired method of learning. Once my lessons are completed I will most certainly be purchasing another package. I feel anyone who wishes to live and work in China and wants to immerse themselves in the culture really should learn a basic level of Chinese. However, be warned, once you start with Silk, a basic level soon becomes something that you will not be satisfied with and you will find yourself wanting to be better every day.

I am an American who just recently moved to SH with the intention of learning to speak Mandarin. I consider finding silk mandarin as my Chinese school to be the single best decision I have made towards my mandarin goal. I have been blown away by their staffs genuine desire for you to accumulate real applicable mandarin skills. Every staff member is attentive, friendly, and beyond helpful. Their professors go far beyond preparing you just to pass the HSK test and also make sure you have the ability to take your new found skills out into the world and use them. since I started at the school in December my Chinese has improved beyond what I thought was possible in such a short time, and it feels completely natural, I don’t think you could find a better place to improve your mandarin.

I have been studying Chinese for 3 years and I feel like I've learned more in the past month at Silk Mandarin than in the last 3 years!! The private lessons they offer were extremely helpful so I could catch up to my HSK 3 class. I really like that David 老师 tells the story behind the characters to help you remember not only their meaning but how to write them.
Everyone in the office is incredibly friendly and there are always goodies during lunch for students and staff to snack on. My work schedule is very hectic but Silk Mandarin has worked with me every step of the way to ensure I did not fall too far behind in my class. Studying Chinese at Silk Mandarin was one of the best decisions I ever made. I would highly recommend it to anyone that wants to learn Chinese!

- Danielle, USA

J’ai choisi le cours de chinois intensif de Silk Mandarin pour la méthode d’apprentissage avec laquelle ils enseignent. J’ai pu remarquer le professionnalisme de tous les enseignants dès mon arrivée. Seul le chinois est parlé aux élèves même durant les pauses nous incitant ainsi à utiliser le vocabulaire appris en cours.
Ayant déjà des notions de chinois, j’ai commencé par le HSK4. Les classes se font en petit comité, nous sommes deux élèves dans la classe. Les cours commencent par une révision du cours précédent, incluant le vocabulaire vu la veille mis en pratique à travers des discussions de sujets divers sur la vie du quotidien. Vient ensuite l’apprentissage d’une nouvelle leçon illustrée par un dialogue entre deux personnes nous permettant ainsi de comprendre la manière dont sont structuré les phrases.
J’ai particulièrement apprécié l’enseignement de mon professeur Yanqin, pleine de devotion et de passion pour ce cours avec des méthodes d’enseignement particulièrement efficaces, je ne regrette en aucun cas d’avoir choisit Silk Mandarin!
J’ai choisi le cours de chinois intensif de Silk Mandarin pour la méthode d’apprentissage avec laquelle ils enseignent. J’ai pu remarquer le professionnalisme de tous les enseignants dès mon arrivée. Seul le chinois est parlé aux élèves même durant les pauses nous incitant ainsi à utiliser le vocabulaire appris en cours.
Ayant déjà des notions de chinois, j’ai commencé par le HSK4. Les classes se font en petit comité, nous sommes deux élèves dans la classe. Les cours commencent par une révision du cours précédent, incluant le vocabulaire vu la veille mis en pratique à travers des discussions de sujets divers sur la vie du quotidien. Vient ensuite l’apprentissage d’une nouvelle leçon illustrée par un dialogue entre deux personnes nous permettant ainsi de comprendre la manière dont sont structuré les phrases.
J’ai particulièrement apprécié l’enseignement de mon professeur Yanqin, pleine de devotion et de passion pour ce cours avec des méthodes d’enseignement particulièrement efficaces, je ne regrette en aucun cas d’avoir choisit Silk Mandarin!

Silk Mandarin is by far the best Chinese training institute in Shanghai. I recommend it to everyone with complete confidence.

I studied some Chinese in high school and with a private tutor in the US, but Christina's class helped me learn better and faster than anything else I've tried. Silk Mandarin's entire teaching staff is professional, fun and well equipped to give outstanding lessons.

I have taken both private and group lessons. In both I was appropriately challenged to speak and understand at a high level. The intensive classes can be tough, but you're given all the support and resources you'll need to succeed. I now feel confident to use Chinese at work and in daily life.

At school, everyone is friendly and encouraging. I'm always warmly greeted when I walk in for class and encouraged to show of everything I've learned. In class, we've had a lot of fun with role-plays and other activities that have helped me dramatically improve my speaking ability. The extra activities the school puts on, such as the Christmas party, make me feel like I'm a part of a supportive community of expats who all want to learn to speak Chinese.

All in all, I highly recommend Silk Mandarin to anyone who wants to learn Chinese, either for fun, for work, or for intensive study. You can surely find an incredible program to suit your needs here!