With 4 lessons per day, held in the morning, the Intensive 20 course offers a strong learning rhythm while leaving your afternoons free for self-study, rest, or private lessons. It also covers all four language skills, with practical topics and interactive exercises in every class.
Compared to the I30, this course offers a lighter daily schedule while still ensuring steady and measurable progress — ideal for learners seeking a balance between structure and flexibility.
Best suited for learners who:
– want to improve all core skills at a steady pace;
– prefer a focused program with time for personal learning or relaxation;
– seek solid progress without a full-day commitment.
Thomas Hortlik (Germany) (verified owner) –
“Good Mandarin school in Shanghai
I became aware of Silk Mandarin through the beautiful website and the personal contact was very encouraging. I was at school from April 15th to 26th. CoCo is really a very enthusiastic woman and offers every possible support. The lessons were based on the textbook, but always went beyond; The teacher always patiently answered all questions and problems, even if I was slow to understand something. The exchange about culture and its similarities and differences was also great. We particularly like the very good online teaching material, which is ideal for both preparation and follow-up. The videos using the so-called slow motion technique certainly make problems that we foreigners have when we subconsciously use our language structure in Chinese (and are therefore incorrect) very understandable and avoidable.”
Terra Layton (United States) (verified owner) –
“My family has spent a month in Shanghai participating in various Mandarin language programs at Silk Mandarin, including tutoring, group lessons, and summer camp for kids. We chose Silk Mandarin because the programs were immersive and comprehensive, and the staff was attentive and eager to help find ways to reach all of our unique language learning goals. We all had different goals and interests, and they were eager to find ways to tailor our experience to our individual needs.
We found the staff, especially Amy, to be very friendly, warm, and willing to go above and beyond to assist us in the classroom and even help sort out logistical outside of the classroom. We had constant and thorough communication prior to coming to Shanghai and so we were known and welcomed by name on arrival, and the staff has all been just as kind and knowledgeable as day one.
Personally, I had some Mandarin background, but it was many, MANY years ago and very out of practice. I felt particularly difficult to place skill level-wise, but my teacher, Jane, has done an incredible job helping review familiar but foggy subjects and patiently covering grammar rules I never properly learned. I feel I have learned more practical and useful Mandarin skills during my few weeks at Silk Mandarin than I collected in several months of private tutoring years ago. Thank you so much for renewing my interest, motivation, and confidence in learning a language I thought I had lost long ago!
Galen Julianto(Indonesia) (verified owner) –
“Helpful tutors and staff. Insightful course suitable for beginner or intermediate level students. Really helpful when it comes to solving or helping problems outside academic work. Superb clarity of teaching to improve your Mandarin proficiency. Located in city center very convenient to go by public transport. Easily to find foods nearby with walkable environment. Once every month Silk Mandarin held events for students and staff to join. Worth the time and money well spent for studying Mandarin.”
Melina Jamieson (Australia) (verified owner) –
“My experience with Silk Mandarin was excellent from the start.
I started speaking to Amy first and she really took the time to understand my goals, assess my skill level, and patiently answered all my questions.
I took the intensive HSK3 course with Jane, an experienced teacher who structured the lessons well and was able to explain complicated grammar structures in a way that was easy to understand (also, her English was great which helped). The best part about the classes was all the practical speaking and listening exercises which I think is what really propelled my learning and confidence in the language.
Jane knows the HSK curriculum so well – it really helped that she could pick the right level of words and grammar to incorporate into conversations and give us the best opportunities to practice.
The teachers and staff created a fun and engaging learning environment. Breaks were great for practicing what we had learned with other students and teachers, and we often went out for lunch together after class, which allowed us to experience more local culture and food.”
Bernard Haas (Ghana) (verified owner) –
“I took both HSK 2 and HSK 3 with Jane at Silk Mandarin.
Jane老师 was not only incredibly knowledgeable (always had an answer to any grammar question, and her English is impeccable which helped with explanations of concepts and accurate translations).
Upon starting HSK3 I didn’t believe Jane when she said l’d know hundreds of Characters in about 2 months time, but here I am, I just finished my HSK3 exam. Thank you @Jane老师 and @SilkMandarin!
What sold me on SilkMandarin vs other schools I’ve been to, is that Silk doesn’t waste your time. You get perfectly structured preparation and review materials so that you can focus on PRACTICAL APPLICATION during class rather than reading a textbook. This is what sets Silk apart from many other schools and/or studying with online HSK videos.
Jane老师 created such a productive and fun classroom environment that made class so enjoyable and always something to look forward to despite having a full work schedule. Sometimes I doubted my abilities to make it through the challenging parts, and if ai had studied alone I’m almost certain I would’ve given up. But Jane老师 helped me succeed by being compassionate, motivating and encouraging. Having such a skilled teacher is absolutely priceless!
And the icing on the cake: Besides the classes there is also optional group outings and activities. We played Mahjong, ate Hotpot and shared many fun coffee breaks together. Jane #If and other teachers would always be there to assist with real-life application of the language.
Thank you @Jane老师 and @SilkMandarin for bringing me to HSK 3 level in such a short time and which so many meaningful and memorable moments on the way. 100% worth it, 100% recommended.
What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I almost gave up when I understood how many Chinese Characters I’d have to master to achieve
HSK3 level. But my teacher, Jane, believed in me more than I did at that low moment, and I succeeded in the end and actually loved the process!”
Cooper Jamieson (New Zealand) (verified owner) –
“Before studying at silk mandarin I was experiencing many difficulties regarding my sentence structure and my listening and speaking ability. My sentences were disorganised and misunderstood by others.
I was able to read some basic texts, but unable to comprehend their meaning in real time.
Before my departure to Shanghai, I was frantically polling anyone I knew that had ties to China about in-person language schools. However, all the recommendations were either online-based or located outside of Shanghai. While reading online forums, the name ‘Silk Mandarin’ kept appearing. I emailed multiple Shanghai-based schools, but found that Silk Mandarin was by far the most responsive. After a quick online assessment of my current ability, they provided detailed study options.
The intensive HSK3 course really accelerated my learning journey. I found that every lesson logically built upon the previous one, and it teaches Mandarin in a modern and practical way, unlike many outdated textbooks.
They use many unique teaching methods and provide you with an established mandarin-speaking community that I otherwise may not have had in my short stay in Shanghai. Silk Mandarin organised my routine into intense-three hour classes in the morning, establishing a solid allocation of my day in which to routinely learn and practise mandarin. The small class sizes make it impossible to hide, encouraging all students to interact evenly with the content. I was especially impressed by the capability of my teacher, Jane Wu. She is patient, easy going, and shows genuine interest in your background. This creates many opportunities to practise speaking mandarin in a more natural way.
Creating a great environment to learn Mandarin.
I’ll be the first to admit that I still have a long way to go on the road to fluency, but Silk Mandarin has helped to form a solid foundation which I can I build on.
I would be quick to recommend Silk Mandarin to any aspiring students.
Read Less ^
What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
We went out to eat hot pot as a school. I tried pigs brain for the first time.”
Jennifer Tilberts (United States) (verified owner) –
“I studied HSK2 and 3 with Silk Mandarin online from the US, then came to Shanghai in person for
HSK4. I am currently taking HSK5 with them in Shanghai. They are a really great school, and my language skills have improved tremendously. I studied Mandarin previously at an American university and found that Silk’s methods of teaching grammar are far better. The teachers are all really nice and encouraging. This is so helpful for a language course, as I can practice speaking without being afraid to make mistakes. The school also prepares students really well for taking the official HSK exams; I just passed HSK4 on my first try.
In addition, the experience abroad itself has been amazing. Silk set up housing for me, helped me get a Chinese visa and even picked me up at the airport. They’ve offered many fun cultural opportunities to meet with students from other language classes, including mahjong lessons, karaoke, and trips to hotpot restaurants.”