Reviews of Practical Mandarin - Top London Chinese School for all levels. (School) in London (London).
Practical Mandarin - Top London Chinese School for all levels
10 Lower Thames St, London EC3R 6AF, United Kingdom
Description
Information of Practical Mandarin - Top London Chinese School for all levels, School in London (London)
On this page you’ll find the address, open hours, more popular times, the contact, photos and real reviews of this business.
This business has received very good reviews from their customers, so probably it’s a place you should try if you are looking for this kind of services.
Map
Open hours of Practical Mandarin - Top London Chinese School for all levels
Sunday
Closed
Monday
10:30am–8:30pm
Tuesday
10:30am–8:30pm
Wednesday
10:30am–8:30pm
Thursday
10:30am–8:30pm
Friday
10:30am–6:30pm
Saturday
10am–6pm
Reviews of Practical Mandarin - Top London Chinese School for all levels
A. T.I loved learning at Practical Mandarin. The staff were friendly and helpful with everything from enrolling to giving directions. The classes were well organised and I felt really comfortable practising. I was also very impressed with the learning materials.
More importantly, Marcus 老师 was supportive and was an amazing teacher. After only three classes my mandarin has improved enough so I can speak complete sentences and answer basic questions. There were also games and such to make the class interactive and fun.
I really recommend these courses to everyone!
D. D.I have joined online class based on the reviews I've read, and after completing Beginners 2.0 I can confirm all the positive reviews are correct. Practical Mandarin provides quality teaching materials and an outstanding teacher, who makes Chinese class enjoyable learning experience. After the 10 lessons I already feel I have improved a lot. I'm taking the next course as well.
L. K.I took a few online courses over the year and generally found it very good. Some instructors are better/more experienced than others - the course was really fun, engaging and productive with the better ones, not so much with the less experienced ones. PM uses several online tools to make the lessons interactive. I would recommend it.
A. C.PM was recommended to me via another online teaching platform. I've enjoyed the interactive online experience, the set homework and the quality podcasts which are a real aid. Our teacher fully engages with the group and ensures we engage with each other, providing support, fun and a positive learning environment. During the 2hr lesson I don't clock watch, which I consider is an excellent sign.
A.I set a goal to learn Mandarin in 2021. I've done the first 3 levels and plan on doing the 4th. Classes are well paced, and the teacher is very patient and well experienced in teaching mandarin. The textbook and podcasts and other materials you get as part of the class allow you to learn outside of class. In person classes are also a great way to practice with other students.
All in all, a really good way to learn Mandarin in London!
J. T.I studied the Beginner Course 1 with Marcus 老师 and have already signed up to Course 2.
For me, the lessons are a perfect blend of grammar, pronunciation and application through puzzles, games and role play. It’s great that there is also often some communal social events taking place before lessons such as mooncake, tea or Chinese wine tasting. This provides a good way to apply some of learning.
The course materials are excellent and when coupled with the companion podcasts, the lessons are sticking!
Having tried multiple apps etc, in person lessons for me are far better. I’m glad to have discovered Practical Mandarin for this. 谢谢 Practical Mandarin!
S. L.Entering Practical Mandarin's most beginner course even with some experience under my belt, I have learnt quite a lot. The activities in the lessons can become quite competitive sometimes which encourages me to try to push myself further, and coupled with the events, it just turns into something that is well worth the money. I would highly recommend this to anyone serious about learning Mandarin.
S. G.I have thoroughly enjoyed learning at PM London - the group classes are well priced and you get dedicated attention from an experienced teacher. I appreciate the extra PM bespoke materials and the motivation to learn the hsk syllabus. I am very grateful to Lily 老师 for being an excellent and supportive teacher and look forward to continuing my studies and sitting my HSK exam!
L. B.Practical Mandarin make learning in Chinese so much fun. They use a story telling method to introduce new vocab and grammar. The teachers are knowledgeable, friendly and approachable. I passed my HSK2 exam with them and hoping to do the next levels with their help.
E. S.I've taken 3 classes now, one in person, 2 remotely - with Michelle, Marcus and Lily 老师. I've thoroughly enjoyed all three different classes, the atmosphere, the learning pace, and the teacher's knowledge. I would definetly recommend this place to anyone looking to learn mandarin in a friendly and welcoming environment. 谢谢大家！
B. S.Enjoying every lesson and already booked the next block of lessons! My teacher is great and the Saturday lessons in central London have been convenient.
UPDATE: I'm just about to start Beginner 3.0 its been difficult but enjoyable and can't wait to learn more.
M. E.I have been learning Mandarin for a while now and joined this school two years ago and have never looked back. My teacher Michelle is excellent and the class format and teaching materials are very effective and help to build my confidence. The classes are professionally taught and the teacher is always available to provide help.
V. K.There is a lot of speaking practice during class which is very valuable, the tutors are very patient and super nice, I am very happy and excited to continue to the next level!
D. E.High quality teaching, with well-prepared lessons and enthusiastic teachers. The small group sizes enable plenty of speaking practice within the classes.
R. S.I have had a brilliant experience learning with PM since the start of 2021. Would thoroughly recommend to anyone looking to learn mandarin in London.
J. T.I've done the first few fluency courses with Practical Mandarin over the past 9 months and I've found the experience to be excellent. I've been meaning to learn mandarin for a while and PM seemed like a good choice for a complete novice. Their breakdowns of the courses mean that each week I feel like I'm learning something new and actually useful for real life situations. The lessons are enjoyable with small class sizes meaning there's plenty of time to practice speaking. The use of technology in lessons also increases interaction.
Thanks to PM I'm looking forward to taking HSK2 shortly and will definitely continue for higher levels.
A. Z.Great classes which are highly interactive and fun. The teachers are great - knowledgeable, patient and willing to spend the extra time to answer all of your questions. My Mandarin has improved as a result. I highly recommend learning with PM!
M. C.I have just finished the entry level beginners course and found it fantastic. Our teacher rose above the pandemic's challenges, creating an excellent online learning experience. The 'trickier' aspects of the language to an English speaker such as the tone system and pronunciations were very well taught - you'll leave the lessons with a real sense of accomplishment. Moreover the atmosphere was fun and friendly - having a go (even if we made mistakes) was encouraged and welcomed to no end. Real practical language examples are given as well such as useful common colloquial expressions.
D. M.I have studied at PM London for 2 semesters now and my Chinese has improved considerably. The teachers are patient and provide great course material and extra learning e.g. films and youtube videos to supplement our classes, they also provide fun activities to meet other learners. I am really looking forward to my next semester when we can meet in person, however the online learning provision has also been of great quality during the pandemic. I would highly recommend PM London for learners of all levels.
M. V.I've very much enjoyed my learning experience with PM. I've reached Level 1 Advanced Beginner and already feel more confident in speaking the language. My instructor Marcus was extremely friendly, helpful, and explained everything in a very clear manner. Being asked to speak/write our own sentences was very helpful in consolidating and remembering what we'd just been taught - being able to do this was much more effective than passive listening would have been. I also enjoyed the mini vocab games that we would do in the lessons because they were not only enjoyable but very helpful with further consolidation of words/phrases. I would recommend Practical Mandarin to anyone wishing to learn and look forward to the next level.
P. G.Attended the Saturday, advanced beginners course. The lessons were excellent quality and a good mix of tasks, including online competitive games. Teacher Lily was really enthusiastic and made sure everyone got involved; with her support I feel I made good progress during the term..
J. S.I always preffered to study Mandarin on my own but because I wanted to practice the language in a group context I decided to try PM. It has definitely exceeded my expectations! The teacher was very knowledgeable and with a good sense of humour which made the course even more interesting:) I'm looking forward to the next semester in person!
A. g.I recently completed 10 week beginners course. Thoroughly enjoyed sessions in small groups. Good teachers, Connie in particular was fantastic. Took care it different skills / needs of different students. Content was practical and fun filling. Learning made easy and well paced. Haven’t attended many Mandarin classes but PM would be the best choice I would recommend.
S. T.Great Chinese course, Marcus is a really lovely teacher and very very helpful. My Chinese has gone from zero to functioning in one year, and I would recommend Practical Mandarin to anyone.
R. A.I've been attending classes at Practical Mandarin for nearly 2 years now. The teaching is fantastic (not only my regular teacher Vivien, but also other teachers who have stepped-in to cover lessons from time-to-time). The lessons are well-structured and as well as a strong coverage of vocabulary and grammar, there is a focus on immersion and understanding Chinese culture, which is invaluable. This incudes regular social events outside the class, which we all love attending. There are also multiple additional resources available including conversation videos, which really help with listening and speaking.
I have to say that going to class at PM is, and always has been, the highlight of my week. I have a great class and have made many friends here. Also, the classes are fun and engaging, which is very important when learning a new language!
I can't recommend PM enough. If you are based in London and are thinking about learning this fascinating language (which is very fun to learn in itself!), then you should definitely give PM a try- you won't regret it!
A. H.Classes with chatting, games, pronunciation practice, new words - the time flies by! I love seeing my vocabulary grow, and it fits perfectly in my busy work schedule.
A. T.Thoroughly engaging remote teaching, course structure & small class size. Highly recommended as it makes for such effective learning. Always looking forward to each lesson!
A.Practical Mandarin is a great company to learn Chinese with. The teachers are fantastic engaging, motivating and always willing to help. I’ve started learning from scratch with them and I am now looking forward to start the HSK3 course in January.
K. R. L.I have been at practical mandarin for years and they never cease to amaze me with their high quality teachers and materials. Whatsmore is they strive to create a community with regular events which is a great way to make friends and practse your mandarin. Highly reccomend if you are looking for quality.
D. H.PM's method is very interactive and helps make complex material understandable. Our teacher Mei has been excellent and always makes herself available to answer any questions we have. I would wholeheartedly recommend PM to anyone looking to learn Mandarin.
J. C.Really engaging interactive teaching with loads of opportunity and encouragement to practice speaking. Have tried lessons at 2 other places, PM knocks the socks off them! I tried PM based on the reviews I’d seen and due to lock down the last place I was studying couldn’t offer online lessons. Have finished 30 weeks of on line classes and to be honest, whilst initially sceptical about if they would be effective, just the first trial lesson convinced me , and I haven’t looked back since. The extra bonus is that they also run extracurricular cultural and social events, a great way to practice even more Chinese!
R. K.Completed my first course with Practical Mandarin this month and I'm moving straight into booking for the next term! My teacher, Michelle, has been excellent; interesting lessons at the right pace for the class, ready to answer questions and always explaining really well.
C. M.I took a beginner coruse for 10 weeks and it has been an amazing experience. Vivien was an excellent teacher and explained everything very well! The way they teach Mandarin is very interactive and so much fun, I was always looking forward to the weekly lessons. I will definitely come back for another class and I can highly recommend this institution to everyone who is interested in learning Mandarin, it is absolutely worth the money!
K. M.PM has been my preferred Mandarin course provider for over two years. We have been with Vivien for most of that time but have also had the pleasure of being taught by Michelle and a variety of other teachers. The classes are well paced and over time you become very attached to your classmates and keep each other on your toes to try harder, giving the classes the edge on individual learning. Price by hour is the same as other London courses but in more accessible locations. The ability to swap classes when you miss a class is also fantastic. I highly recommend taking up Mandarin as a second language and PM are well placed to help you with that, as well as provide a sociable environment to practice your skills at their cultural events. Many thanks to all the team!
R. M.Best mandarin classes! I've been studying with Practical Mandarin for a few months, with Michelle, Mabel and Yang. The classes are always very interactive, the content is relevant and the exercises we cover are challenging but fun. The highlight is definitely the group atmosphere, so thank you to the teachers!
P. O.Have just finished my intermediate Term 2 with PM, and have been learning with them for almost two years now. Excellent teachers and first class resources - lessons are fun, welcoming and spot on. Makes learning Chinese Easy. PM非常好！
R. T.I’ve just finished the entry beginner course and it has been an amazing experience. The lessons have been fun and interactive, plus Keng was a supportive, encouraging and patient teacher. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who’s looking to learn mandarin!
S. G.Course was well adapted for online learning. The course was very interactive with plenty of resources available to students to help further their learning.
Lily was very helpful and was good at breaking down difficult concepts into easily digestible chunks for the advanced beginners class.
W. L.Entry Beginner Class- Teacher: Vivien Mo
I really enjoyed my 10 weeks with my small but interactive class. Vivien is an extremely friendly and enthusiastic teacher encouraging and directing the class in a very professional manner whilst still being fun and engaging. The Entry Beginner is for those who have little or no grasp of the Mandarin language or perhaps would like to have the base foundation learning the tones with simple everyday phrases. This class will teach you the very basics of reading writing and pronunciation.
My purpose for attending was to better my pronunciation and communication skills for Chinese/Mandarin. It has already helped me have brief and simple conversations with Mandarin speaking friends whilst also able to pick up some of the things I wouldn't have necessarily picked up before these fantastic classes.
I would recommend this particular Entry class if you need to start from scratch.
C. M.Practical Mandarin are excellent at bringing the course syllabus to life and have a strong focus on speaking and using language in context. Combined with friendly Teachers and a range of extra-curricular events they are a great choice if you're looking to learn Mandarin in London
N. H.Just finished the 12-week Advanced Beginner course and I will definitely be signing up for the next level. I've tried on and off to teach myself Mandarin, tried different online courses and even another in-person class, but always struggled to keep up motivation. The content from Practical Mandarin is extremely relevant, you can use what you are learning right away, and the lesson format and resources are dynamic and effective. It is very interactive and you really get to practice lots and build up week by week.
J. B.I have been going to Practical Mandarin for two years. From zero Mandarin I am just about finish HSK 3! I am definitely not great at languages but have always been encouraged and helped at every level by fantastic teachers. It’s been a joy to go to classes with very engaging teachers and a great bunch of students. They organise lots of social events and make learning a real pleasure. I get very upset if I miss a class and would highly recommend the classes for all levels.
D. C.I've just completed two terms of intermediate Mandarin at Practical Mandarin and cannot rate the school highly enough. The teaching is really excellent, committed and innovative. Michelle works us hard but always with a smile, laughter and huge encouragement, and is very understanding of my tendency to 'brain freeze' from time to time. The small class size is a boon as we get lots of speaking practice. All of the teachers are welcoming, and the students are extremely motivated. The classrooms are super and there is free fresh-ground coffee and teas provided. The school runs a wide range of social activities outside of class, ranging from BBQs to karaoke, and these are great opportunities to get to know staff and students well. Definitely 5 stars!
Dominic
C. W.About to start my 3rd course with Practical Mandarin. I really enjoy my classes with Laoshi Yang. Each week is super engaging, interactive and easy to follow. Also if you can't make certain dates you can always attend a make-up. Cannot recommend enough!
G. D.I booked the entry beginner course not really knowing what to expect, but my experience with Practical Mandarin over the past couple of months has been incredibly positive.
The lessons with Juliette are engaging and fun, they cover the basics and demands of the course but the informal and freestyle approach to the classes allows a lot of flexibility and opportunity to learn more.
The small class sizes allow everyone to be involved and unlike in other situations where speaking up might be daunting the class tutor always makes an effort to get all the students engaging with the language.
Learning Mandarin with Practical Mandarin isn't a chore, but in fact something I actively look forward to as part of my week and the great support they have if you miss a lesson and willingness to work flexibly around your schedule is a huge bonus.
I would highly recommend this centre for people looking to take the first few steps into learning Mandarin
D. H.I've have taken two terms of classes with Practical Mandarin on their HSK 4 level and I can say without a doubt, it has been the best place I have learnt Chinese.
The teachers are lovely and patient and encourage you to help your fellow classmates, they provide you a range of different exercises to learn from which is great for people who learn differently and all of these are really engaging.
Outside of class there are a range of events you can go to to socialize and these are great fun as well.
Shout out to Michelle, who is an absolute angel.
6/5 stars
-Dan
K. L.I have really enjoyed my classes with Practical Mandarin. The teachers make the lessons fun and enjoyable while the pace of learning is fast. I would recommend these classes to anyone who would like to learn Mandarin as they make use of technology to help study outside of class as well as videos to reinforce the language.
D. R.I recently completed the 10 week beginners' course and can highly recommend it. The teaching was very well structured and I felt there was a good balance between keeping it simple enough to grasp the concepts and detailed enough to hold and maintain interest. The teachers were patient and friendly but also didn't let us persist with any bad pronunciation habits, which I particularly appreciated given what I understand to be the importance of correct distinction between the various tones. Overall a very satisfying introduction to the language - an excellent course!
A. M.Great course, do not hesitate to book it if you would like to learn Mandarin in an effective and fun way. Our teacher Marcus was really great, friendly and approachable. They use a variety of fun and interactive methods that make learning fun and rewarding. Highly recommended, I already booked my next level course with them!
H. B.Studying (beginner level) at Practical Mandarin has been a great and worthwhile experience. The class pushes you while being fun, and Juliette is a fantastic teacher - she encourages each person to contribute, is attentive, spends time with individual concerns or questions, and brings a positive and motivational atmosphere to the lesson.
I look forward to each class and I'll definitely be continuing!
Y. H.A very practical way to learn!
After having a bad experience with Beginners Mandarin at an adult college, it was clear I needed to learn in smaller groups for more than one hour a week. Practical Mandarin have the right mix of instructor led group learning using textbooks, mobile apps and videos. I recommend them as a solid course and worthy of 4/5! With ongoing improvements to material and operations they can easily score 5/5!
Z. w.I've been learning at Practical Mandarin for 5 months. My teacher Laoshi Jennifer Wang has been great - very clear and patient. I love the small class sizes and the book and materials are helpful. It's been an enjoyable experience and shown me that anyone can learn Mandarin.
L. A.I can't recommend learning at Practical Mandarin enough. I loved my classes with Juliette so much that I'm now doing the follow-on course. The class sizes are small which is fantastic as you gain confidence speaking in front of everyone. My teacher was really encouraging and I've learnt loads! Also they're really helpful if ever you need to swap a class time etc. I'm so glad I decided to study here.
J. D.Excellent teachers, a well thought out syllabus and loads of fun. The small class sizes led to high contact learning, ideal for anyone looking to get the most out of their class time.
The material each week was as hoped - practical and not academic. Perfect for anyone looking to deepen their conversational skills and vocabulary whilst having fun.
The Bank/City Location is ideal for anyone working in the city and the environment was relaxed but focused, looked forward to the class every week.
Highly recommended for beginners and anyone looking to brush up on their skills!
T. P.PM is well structured to help you really move forward with mastering Chinese. Keng was a superb teacher who would really explain the reasons behind certain language rules, and patterns. He made the lessons enjoyable and fun. After trying to learn off of apps for a year this helped me make so much more progress and I will definitely be continuing.
R. C.I started the Entry Beginner class 10 weeks ago, and have really enjoyed learning together with a bunch of other newbies - you can all laugh together when you pronounce things wrong (which will happen). Vivien was my tutor and I found her very encouraging, friendly and passionate about teaching - this naturally helps you build confidence when you start from scratch.
The flashcards via Quizlet app on a smartphone helps you reinforce learning when you're commuting or have a few spare moments.
Overall it helped me to develop some foundations to build upon and I'm looking forward to progressing further. I'd highly recommend Practical Mandarin to those sitting on the fence!
A proud 0.5 Practical Mandarin graduate.
a. k.I have thoroughly enjoyed the classes here. I have found them to be very friendly, with a good switch between different learning styles making my language learning quite dynamic.
The size of the classes allows for good practice of spoken Mandarin and I would say the teachers have helped make Mandarin learning very accessible, I would highly recommend their classes to anyone.
A. Z.Even while studying online, Practical Mandarin found the way to provide an engaging and insightful course that feels like you are in class. So happy to be part of this, 3rd year and counting.
J. S.If you are looking to study Mandarin as a second language, this is the place to do it! Not only do you get a professional service at affordable prices, but the classes are masterfully designed to get you well on your way to fluency. All of the teachers are passionate and highly trained (many of whom have PhDs related to teaching) and know how to make classes engaging and enjoyable. The range of teaching techniques used in class is inspired. There are educational games, bespoke video content to teach new grammar and improve listening comprehension and many more learning tools.
As well as learning the language you are presented with many fun opportunities to experience different parts of Chinese culture. So far, with Practical Mandarin I have gone to:
- Dumpling making class
- Group hot pot trips
- Made bubble tea
- Learned about tea ceremonies and sampled teas from several regions
- Sang at Chinese karaoke evenings
- Learned about/tried traditional calligraphy
....the list goes on!
I have studied here for two years now from beginner level and will soon be starting my HSK4. I put my confidence to speak the language and ability practice with with real people outside of the classroom down to joining this wonderful school. Make great friends, learn the language, learn the culture, have fun. Try it out! 加油！
C. G.I completed the entry beginner course and I‘m very happy that I booked at Practical Mandarin. Our teacher Kengwen provided an exceptional learning experience for me and the other students and made the lessons as fun, informative and interesting as it could possibly be. I'm not only surprised how much I've learned in such a short period of time but also how easy it was thanks to Kengwen. Highly recommended!
T. A.Extremely well structured course. Our teacher is very good and patient with all the students. It’s an engaging and fun experience. Highly recommend Practical Mandarin Monument 👍🏼
M. B.I have been taking evening classes at Practical Mandarin for two years now. I could not imagine studying anywhere else. The lessons are well prepared, the teachers are great and the classes attract an interesting crowd, so the discussions in the speaking exercises never fail to entertain. I took a fluency course during the summer break, that I really enjoyed and found to be very beneficial. I look forward to the next term and hope another fluency class will be offered during the winter break.
A. O.Absolutely fantastic! I couldn't recommend a course more, it's very practical, you'll be speaking Mandarin from day one. They use a lot of mobile apps so it's easy to keep practicing and learning on the go in-between the lessons. The venue (Bank) is very comfortable and accessible. And our teacher Fay is simply brilliant! Of all the teachers I had over the years with different languages she is the only one who seems to magically open up my brain and drop new vocab in for it to stay there forever. 老师Fay - you're a magician!! 谢谢！
A. F.I finished my beginner course this week and I've been very happy with the course!
I feel like I've learned a lot and the lessons have been fun and engaging.
I think the objective has been achieved to show that learning Chinese is actually not that scary :)
I also really liked that its very convenient to get to from work.
R. C.Great school and very interesting and enjoyable teaching methods. This is my second Mandarin school experience and I much prefer Practical Mandarin. Very happy to recommend and I'm looking forward to continuing my studies there!
P. I.The entry beginner class is great for those looking to take up Mandarin. It emphasizes correct pronunciation of tones early on and we learnt useful vocabulary to use in everyday life. The class size is small enough to practice speaking often and the teacher kept us engaged through various learning methods such as cultural insights and quizzes.
S. L.I've really enjoyed learning Beginner's Mandarin here! Serena is friendly and patient and creates a positive learning environment. The small class sizes (there are 5 people in the class) provide the opportunity for tailored learning and almost feels like one-to-one tutoring. I would highly recommend this class to anyone who is interested in learning Mandarin.
L. C.I travel an hour up to London for Chinese, as this is the BEST Chinese class for reasonably priced, high-quality and awesome teaching! Before starting they supported me with email responses and communications so quickly, helping once I had done a placement test to find the right class for me as I had studied some Chinese before. PM also run some social activities that you can join in to spend time with your fellow students out of class and practice more Chinese. I completed advanced elementary with Michelle laoshi and will be joining her next term for intermediate - can't wait already!🤸🤩
T.Have had a great experience at Practical Mandarin. Ken our teacher is really brilliant. He always keeps the classes high energy and engaging and I always look forward to the classes! Thank you Ken!
J. D.Learning Mandarin with Practical Mandarin is fun! Expect a warm welcome from Vivien and her teachers. The groups are small and friendly and Qin, our teacher, is always enthusiastic and encouraging. She gets the balance of teaching just right, with opportunities for speaking and listening, reading and writing. In addition to well planned lessons in class, there are many resources to consolidate your learning at home or on the go.
I cannot recommend Practical Mandarin highly enough.
M. W.Absolutely love learning Mandarin with Vivien and Practical Mandarin. It offers great ranges of classes for your level, be it during the week or weekend and for a fantastic price.
Classes themselves are well structured, fun and interactive. Vivien makes sure that the class is exposed to all aspects of the language and culture and does this through various mediums. For example Chinese commercials, YouTube videos, Culture notes and debates.
Class sizes are small and intimate and the teacher can easily spend more one-on- one time with each student.
I highly recommend learning with Practical Mandarin!
A. N. R.I am just finishing the first Beginner Course and have enjoyed the experience. It made me want to continue learning Chinese.
The teachers are enthusiastic and encouraging, the course is quite interactive with games and other activities. Amongst other things you learn how the character and Pinyin systems are set up, and 100 to 200 words/characters and how to use them in sentences,
H. O.Such good experience that is to learn another language. With Michelle it became even more fun and easy. She is really understanding, patient and extrovert that eases the process of learning. Also get to know other colleagues from the most variety of background. Really loved it and look forward for the next level. Truly recommend Pratical Mandarin school 🤗
V. A.The Beginner Course was a great introduction to Mandarin. While the primary focus was on speaking, we also learned the basics of reading and writing. I commend our teacher Kengwu for his patience and dedication to ensuring all our questions were answered and his enthusiasm that made every class fun. Particularly during the covid-19 lockdown, the (virtual) classes were something to look forward to each week.
n. d.Best Mandarin classes I have attended.
The teacher (Michelle) uses varied resources making the learning experience very enjoyable. Lessons are interactive and gratifying. Highly recommended!
M. C.Having used many different learning methods and language schools in the past, I can easily say this is the most fun and productive school I have been to.
Firstly, I love the original content that is used to teach the class. It is clear, visual and easily memorable. The team clearly spent a lot of time producing it to ensure students get the most out of the class.
Secondly as many reviewers have mentioned the classes are a great size of 3-5 people so you can learn from each others strengths and it creates a sense of community.
Lastly, my teacher Yingbin Yu is a joy to learn from. She is very personable, patient and always happy to answer any question.
If you want to learn Mandarin in London then I couldn't recommend them highly enough.
E. M.你好！I'd like to thank Keng 老师 for his amazing lessons - it's been great! I definitely recommend to take the course - it covers various aspects from grammar and vocabulary to the traditions and modern trends. The course is very well supported with access to PM's online learning platform as well. 谢谢
G. R.I've been taught at different points by four different teachers at Practical Mandarin who have all been outstanding. Especially big shout out to Jennifer and Coco who bring limitless knowledge, and energy, to their classes. I have seen my Chinese progress at a far faster rate than I expected- just need to keep going now!
E. B.Always enjoy the lessons and format at Practical Mandarin. The lessons led by Alice 老师 are fun and interactive and thankfully a lot of the knowledge sticks!
n. l.Just completed the entry beginner course and I'm so excited to continue with the next level. Was positively surprised by how much we learned within the first 10 weeks and how much fun it was. Our teacher Keng provided a great experience and really took his time to help and support all students. He created a super fun learning experience and I highly recommend both him as a teacher and the school.
J. C.I enjoy lessons with Vivien because she creates a really good vibe in class. Vivien makes everyone feel welcome and there is a friendly atmosphere in which to learn Mandarin. Classes are focused as we follow the HSK curriculum but there is also the opportunity for everyone to practice their speaking skills.
I have tried other Mandarin classes in London but have found this one the best suited to my working hours as well as my learning style.
I would recommend to my friends.
J. B.Lessons with Practical Mandarin are fantastic! I learnt Mandarin in China several years ago but haven't done much since. Vivien quickly organised lessons and a tailored study plan that was exactly what I needed. Rebecca is an amazing teacher and my Mandarin is improving rapidly! I highly recommend Practical Mandarin.
O. H.I've finished the beginner course and have thoroughly enjoyed it. The small class sizes lend themselves to a great learning environment and you do learn very quickly. The teachers all teach with a lot of passion. I'd highly recommend. I'll be signing up to their next course to continue learning.
M. R.I've just completed Advanced Beginner and signed up for Elementary. It has been a really fun 20 weeks of learning. PM are great to learn with, the lessons are well structured, organised and the teachers incredibly enthusiastic. Highly recommended.
E. C.I've been studying Mandarin for a few weeks here(I've learnt it before), and I can actually try to say sentences the way I want in Mandarin. I find classes really practical and useful.
The amount we do in classes are enough to review and fully understand. Also my class is very enthusiastic, this helps me much more to catch the language.
It is also right near the bank station, so it is very convenient! I look forward to learn more and explore mandarin. I know practical mandarin is the most suitable place for me!
E.Attended the online classes as they are more convenient for me and really enjoyed the use of the interactive games and teaching style. Excited to continue learning with pm.
M. D.Love the classes there! I learnt mandarin in China some while back but was out of practice. The teacher (Vivien) made me get right back into it. Perfect place to learn in a fun atmosphere, great mix between oral practice in class and some written assignment to keep the flow going between two classes. I highly recommend it!
L. S.Fantastic Course! I signed up to the 10 week beginners course and have thoroughly enjoyed it. The course teaches Chinese language and culture at a challenging but manageable pace. I have met some new friends along the way.
L. B.I am very happy about my experience in the entry beginner course. Our teacher Serena is very patient and friendly, and the atmosphere was very relaxed. Having a small class of 5 people helped making the classes more enjoyable while still allowing everybody to progress at their own pace.
The course also gives you access to online resources through the Quizlet app, which provides a very practical way of reviewing the material.
A. D.Really outstanding Mandarin course - brilliant teaching ability, consistently great feedback and top level course materials. Natalie is a pleasure to learn from and as such I look forward to the lessons every week. Highly reccomend to anyone looking for a challenge!
R. I.Methodological approach which helps you really memorize everything that is taught. Plus the additional online material. Also the best part for me is the focus on pronunciation. The PM team really explain the pinyin system well.
他们很聪明!
谢谢你们!
M. P.I've really been enjoying my Chinese lessons at Practical Mandarin. The classes are interesting and easy to follow. Anne is a very good teacher and makes each lesson fun.
J. l.I followed the beginner course with the teacher Michelle. The course was great very interactive. With also good class support. There is also some good feature like the possibility to go to a replacement course if you cannot go one day. Overall a great experience.
R. C.Great Mandarin classes! Small groups (we are 4 in my class) and awesome tutor! Anne is a fantastic teacher, she turns everything into something easy and fun to assimilate. I have made huge progress in just a few weeks :)
D. M.I am about to complete the 10 week beginner course and I have thoroughly enjoyed the classes. The teachers have been amazing and the lessons really well planned. Looking forward to continuing on to Advanced beginner now.
B. H.Definitely would recommend to anyone interested in learning Chinese at any level!
It's been fantastic learning business Chinese with Vivien and Practical Mandarin. The classes are always fun, interactive and stretch all aspects of the language learning. Vivien goes to great effort to bring in up to date material on news and current affairs into the class discussions.
A. T.Fun school and teachers super easy going. We had Effie and Vivien as teachers and I cannot recommend them more. If you think of learning Mandarin this school is probably the best around for professionals :)
M. C.The classes offered by Practical Mandarin are simply exceptional! No amount of textbooks or apps can replace experienced professional teachers guiding you through well structured coursework.
I rapidly progressed from the HSK 1 (Beginner) syllabus to the HSK 3 (Intermediate) level in a matter of months. Gaining the confidence and ability to engage in conversation with native speakers and enjoy their rich historical culture.
Attaining a HSK 3-4 level is considered sufficient to apply for job opportunities in China where the employment market is booming. Whether you are in technology, finance or management, learning Mandarin is a wise investment for future job prospects.
I would like to highlight my tutor Michelle Wu in particular, who brings her classes to life with fun and engaging dialogue examples, exercises and homework. Her classes are always well prepared, flexible on times and locations for even the busiest of professionals and delivered at just the right pace.
I thoroughly recommend Practical Mandarin if you wish to learn the Chinese language. One in every six people on the Earth is a native Mandarin speaker, why not join them!
C. L.Great teacher, really enjoyed my Mandarin lessons here. Would 100% recommend.
J. S.I joined the beginner weekend class and I can really recommend it to everyone. The class is fun and the teacher engages and motivates you to keep up improving your language skill. Never had so much fun learning a new language.
C. T.I just finished an intensive Elementary new course and it was great. The class sizes are small and there is a lot of opportunity to practise speaking. The materials are useful and the teacher explains grammar points well!
I will be continuing onto next term.
J. W.Excellent teaching in a fun class. I'm not a natural linguist and am not the best in the class but it doesn't matter. The teaching is fun and you always get an opportunity to speak and practice because the classes are small. Annie our teacher is very patient and makes the classes interesting and stimulating. We have lot of laughs as well.
W.Would definitely recommend Practical Mandarin for anyone who wants to learn to speak Mandarin (they teach you the characters as well, but the focus is on speaking). The classes are interesting, the people are nice and the app is helpful. Great experience!
F. d. m.Just finished the Entry Beginner course with teacher Vivien and I can#t recommend Practical Mandarin enough. You do not learn just the language but also get an insight on the Chinese culture! Just signing up for the Advanced Beginner.
D. S.I attended the introductory beginner course led by Juliette and found the course to be extremely useful and engaging! I have taken university classes a number of years ago and found the material not particularly applicable for day-to-day conversations, and too heavily emphasized on writing Hanzi. This class found the perfect balance of conversational, reading/writing, as well as providing a bit of background on the culture. As well, the smaller class size allowed for more 1:1 interaction with the teacher. I look forward to taking subsequent courses through this school!
N. S. E.Marcus was an excellent teacher. Very good teaching and pace. Also good at keeping you motivated to continue learning Mandarin.
Definitely will join for the next course!
Picture of Marcus from our graduation dinner!
F. E.I have taken 3 courses up until HSK2 now and I have really enjoyed it and managed to pass my first exam. All my teachers have been very friendly and my most recent teacher, Jennifer has been very enthusiastic and friendly. Definitely recommend this course.
K. B.Thank you for an excellent experience learning Mandarin. Marcus was fantastic and ensured all of us were given lots of time for questions and supported where we struggled. The culture of the learning is highly positive, there's no judgement and Marcus appreciated the efforts of the students. Regular challenges were added to the lessons through team based active online quiz facilities during class that added a lot of fun to the learning experience. The students are encouraged to join social events giving everyone a chance to know each other better. One thing I did struggle with was the learning text book, it would be very helpful to have an overview of how best to use it. It has much information and questions but it can be tricky to follow.
L. C.Just finished the beginner entry course. Ken has been a fantastic teacher, enthusiastic and patient. The course was very fun - despite done via Zoon - I definitely learnt a lot!
M. P.Vivien and the Practical Mandarin team are incredible - friendly, professional and hugely fun. After studying Mandarin with the team for around 2 years, I took (and passed!) HSKs 1-3, and had a good firm grasp of the language when I visited Taiwan on business. Huge thanks to Vivien and co for making it all so enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to catching up again with the team soon. Highly recommend :)
S.Absolutely loved it. The teachers are fun and you'll learn a lot.
The course material is structured well.
You'll need to study a bit on your own at home in your free time, but that is just what you have to do when learning a language.
I can recommend it to everyone and will certainly attend future courses.
J. Y.My Chinese has advanced dramatically in 10 weeks of entry beginners class. Our teacher Natalie is so passionate about teaching that she makes learning fun and I look forward to my Thursday Chinese class with her! I have already signed up for the next level and I know with Natalie I will accomplish my goals!
j. k.studying with PM has been a great experience with extremely kind and supportive laoshi Yujie!
The classes are small and you have a great laugh as you learn. A very productive, fun and welcoming environment with options to take part In other Chinese cultural events courtesy of PM 5⭐️!
G. M.Great Mandarin classes. Small and tailored classes. Very good teachers. Convenient times.
M. P.Learning Mandarin with Vivien is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. We have a great group with a good mix of ages, backgrounds and professions. I would highly recommend to anyone thinking of learning Mandarin!
Y. “. M.My Chinese improved at least 10 fold since I started the course here. Natalie, our teacher, has a passion for teaching that's very contagious. I looked forward to our classes every Thursday very much! Highly recommended, and make sure you ask for Natalie.
A. C.Just finished the entry beginner course, and it was very enjoyable! It was a nice small class so you get plenty of time with the teacher and lots of opportunities to practice speaking. Hoping to start the next course in a few weeks!
K. A.I love Practical Mandarin. Great teaching style and super relaxed. I've learnt so much in such a short space of time and Anne is an exceptional teacher. Would definitely recommend!
A. A.Fantastic classes, I started as an absolute beginner and will be returning for more classes! Great location in central London very close to Bank, amazing teachers, very supportive and not just reading from a textbook the whole time, and more importantly very fun! I have really enjoyed my lessons, much more than I thought I would, and I can't wait to return. Five Stars!
R. S.Really enjoying my lessons. The guidance is great, and the classes are friendly environments to learn Chinese.
V. a. s.Loved our online class with Vivien during lockdown, her enthusiasm is contagious! Mandarin is hard but she made the learning process fun and gave me an awesome 中文名字
S. A.I am very happy with the intensive beginner class. It is very helpful having classes twice a week, especially as a beginner. The classes are very enjoyable and given the fact that they are so small everyone gets to practice. Questiones are encouraged and Rebecca makes everything very easy to understand and follow. I am definitely signing up for the next module.
A. Z.Not much of a reviewer to be honest but this time i felt compelled to write something as my experience has been quite spectacular. Learning Chinese is a massive commitment and at times it felt impossible but being a student at Practical Mandarin under the supervision of Effie (2nd semester) and Vivien (1st semester) made it feel like a a walk through the park. As a student who loses focus easily, I was more engaged than ever, enjoyed every second and I am now more knowledgeable although I have a long way to go. Thanks for bearing with me guys 🤙
H. M.I have just completed the Intensive Entry Beginner class and I was very impressed by the standard of teaching. Natalie is an amazing teacher who kept us fully engaged in the classroom and made it a very enjoyably experience!
A. L.Excellent school in a very interesting location. My teacher Michelle was friendly and extremely well prepared. She obviously had a lot of experience in class management and in teaching Chinese, as she was able to involve and motivating everyone and her explanations were always clear. Thank you!
H. V.Really puts the practical in mandarin. I’ve had Sophia as my 老师 for 9 months now - she emphasises the importance of speaking and interacting over repetitive tasks. My Chinese colleagues now understand (some) of what I say. Would highly recommend!
N. H.A fantastic way to start learning Mandarin. A proven programme, ways to learn you can build into your day to day (a great app) and brilliant teachers, Sally and Calvin were enthusiastic, patient and focused making my first steps in Chinese time well spent.
A. A.I have completed Entry begginer level and I am very pleased with content, materials used and overall class layout.
Teacher Michelle was extremely helpful and pushed our boundries to limits, very encouraging and friendly approach she had during class helped us to achieve the most.
Also very helpful customer service and care from admin manager.
A.I've been using Practical Mandarin from complete beginner all the way through to the end of HSK3 (nearly 2 years!!) and I'll be coming back for HSK4. Highly recommended.
N. C.Words cannot describe how wonderful Juliette was! I thoroughly enjoyed our intensive two week program together and it definitely prepared me for my move from London to Shanghai. She is engaged, incredibly knowledgeable and took a genuine interest in my concerns and interests and helped me with the very specific art vocabulary that i needed for my work in Shanghai.
A. B.Lots of fun doing the elementary course with Rebecca - everything is well organised and the curriculum is a good balance of moving through each of the topics at a good pace, but without overloading on new material each week! The instruction materials are really good, and Rebecca really builds well on these - both testing our understanding and imparting lots of background information to give a good understanding into the origin of words and phrases.
R. C.I have completed the Entry level beginners class and have learned a lot in 10 weeks. Teachers are great at making the experience of learning Mandarin fun.
M. B.Greatly enjoy the classes at Practical Mandarin, highly recommended for anyone interested in improving their Chinese skill. Tried one previous school, much prefer this one!
A. W.Highly recommend. I've been going here for 2 years, and all of the teachers I've had have been amazing. The atmosphere is really friendly, and my confidence when it comes to speaking has improved so much since coming here.
M. R.I really like this Academy. The groups are reduced so you have plenty chances to participate and improve your Chinese pronunciation. Moreover, the classes are well structured and the teacher is really helpful, giving personalised tricks and tips for each student. I recommend it 100%!!
P. R.Juliet was an excellent teacher, as well as being very patient and understanding she was very engaging by having such a friendly attitude.
Facilities aren't the best but the location is great and the value is very good considering the small size of the classes.
J. G.I've done three courses with Practical Madarin so far, and each has been excellent. The staff have been warm, funny and informative. The courses have struck a good balance between following the Chinese government's HSK programme and adding in extra words, topics and context. I am soon to start my fourth course and would recommend them highly.
T. C.I attend the saturday intensive course and I learn a lot in such a small space of time. The teachers are friendly, the course is well structured and it goes at a good pace. I really enjoy it :) and will recommend to anybody
A. K.Great experience studying Upper Intermediate Mandarin with Practical Mandarin: classes are well-structured with a lot of exposure to speaking, reading and writing, great atmosphere.
Highly recommend for anyone who considers studying Mandarin
H. G.I have just finished my beginner course and thoroughly enjoyed learning the material! My teacher Effie was very understanding, patient and always eager to teach us.
I look forward to starting my level 2!
D. Z.Great experience learning Chinese both online over the past few months and in-person previously. Supportive and fun learning environment and a clear structure from complete beginner to intermediate and advanced levels.
A. C.Finished Entry Beginners Course. Michele has great wit and a great sense of humour. Very important attributes for a succesful teacher. Learnt a lot in a very short time. Highly recommended.
I. N.Just finished up the beginner 10 week course. Even thought it was over zoom, Keng was fantastic and made the lessons extremely enjoyable. Learnt a lot and looking forward to the next stage.
I. S.Very nice school and very active teacher, there were some games between the class, learning without feeling bored. I love that I can access to the app they provide which is good for me to keep practising and have fun while I learn Chinese language.
A. D.As always the PM class was excellent, engaging and brilliant. I attended Florence's intermediate class - Florence goes above and beyond in her teaching and is always accessible outside of class hours for assistance with homework.
Q. v. R.I was recommended by a friend to follow Mandarin classes with Practical Mandarin. I have enjoyed all the classes which were very well presented by Laoshi Marcus! Thank you!
O. C.Took 3 courses since May 2017, and signed up for another one in the new year. Have had the same great teacher (Sophia) all the way through, small class size, and like using the app and doing the various exercises.
N. H.Loved this course and Ken as our teacher! Super useful, classes were entertaining and well structured. Will definitely continue to the next one :))
J. S.Staff and Students are all very supportive and each share a passion for the language that is very compelling, on wards to HSK2 and if you can, choose Sophia as your teacher, great for beginners.
r. l.Yue Jie is very energetic and engaging. We have been through Entry and Advance beginner with practical mandarin and will go onto the elementary course.
M. S.Vivien is an amazing teacher- very patient, funny and explains everything really well. She not only teaches the language but also shares her knowledge about the culture and the history. I can't recommend her highly enough!
R. C.I had 7 individual lessons with Juliette. Juliette was an excellent teacher, well prepared and patient she guided me through a large amount of material and customised study for my business interests.
T. V.David is a great, friendly teacher. Mandarin is the first foreign language I have studied and he has made it a great experience.
a. a.Great Mandarin classes. Juliette a fantastic teacher always encouraging thoroughly enjoyed the introductory beginner course.
R. F.Absolutely fantastic course as a beginner. Marcus was a great teacher and took his time with every student. Would full recommend this course!
J. M.Annie is a great teacher and she introduced us to the basics of Mandarin:) Nice atmosphere and good tempo of learning, highly recommending!
L. Z.I have now finished Advanced Beginner and absolutely loved it! the groups are small and the teachers are amazing! Effie Laoshi is the best!
Q. T. L.Wanted to find a Chinese class after work and this was an ideal option!
C. R.Brilliant course. Great learning experience. Fantastic classmates. Excellent teacher Yujie laoshi. 👏
J. B.Intermediate Chinese; a small class using the standard HSK textbook. I like the preparation and use of power points for new vocabulary, much easier to read than writing on the board! Generally pretty good so far.
F. G.This class has been really helpful for me to recall the Chinese I've forgetten over the years. I just did a practice HSK2 test and did very well. I'm planning to sign up to the next level class and then take the real HSK3 exam at the end of the year. I think the class is definitely worth it AND affordable.
B. T.Learning Chinese with Vivien is very efficient and also good fun! She explain everything very well and encourages participation. I've already signed up to the next level.
K. C.Even though the teaching has moved online I was able to stay focused and engaged! I really felt like I learnt something with Marcus every lesson, I can't wait for the next term.
A. G.Ginny makes you at ease and I like that she also pushes you out of your comfort zone; very useful tools such as books, apps and material that enables me to understand one of the most difficult aspects, the writings.
Even after the course she was able to help me there and then.
I recommend Ginny highly!
A. N.It's a great place to learn Mandarin.
A. O.Just finished the Entry Beginner program, Yujie was a great teacher and the classes were a fun introduction to Mandarin!
A. B.Would 100% recommend - great teachers, lesson plans, class sizes etc. Even when teaching online during quarantine :)
R. W.The classes were a great environment to learn Chinese, the teacher (Ginny) was awesome, the material was very useful and the overall support they gave you was 2nd to none. I've signed up to the next class......
C. Y.The course is great and taught at a good pace. Annie is a fun teacher and makes the learning experience thoroughly enjoyable! :)
R. H.Very happy that I chose to study Mandarin here. Lessons are put together really well and my teacher has been brilliant!
K. B.I would definitely recommend Practical Mandarin to anyone looking to learn mandarin in an interactive, engaging and fun way!
Z. G.Loving the course, and the school is accommodating and easy to communicate with!
A. W.I've had three different instructors over the past few years, and all have been excellent. I highly recommend giving it a shot!
A. 安.I am very much enjoying my lessons. Learning Chinese at Practical Mandarin is challenging but suitably rewarding.
m. n.Great excperience,great laoshi (Michelle),within 10 weeks i learned to have conversations and recognise characters. Easy access to the premises.We done PM. I should carry on to the Advanced Beginers
E. H.Really enjoyed the Entry Beginner course. The teacher kept the class engaged and was always very supportive.
S. A.Just completed the beginner course and am about to enrol in the advanced beginner! Juliette is a lovely laoshi!
V. K.Thanks so much Emily and PM. Perfect for entry beginners and I will surely continue with PM for future levels. Xie Xie !
D. H.Small class size and good teachers
h. b.Very pleased with the new fluency classes; it would be good to include some of the materials into the standard classes too. The pictures got us all talking!
l. r.Great Mandarin beginner class with small class size and very likable teacher
L. S.In less than ten classes I have been able to have small conversations with native speakers.
S. N.Excellent classes - small sizes, charismatic teachers and excellent material! Love it.
n.Great lessons, lovely class. Looking forward to starting my next course.
D. 丹.Great teacher, excellent energy, good pace. Loved it!
C. P.Small class sizes, fun facilitation and quick progress make this an excellent class
D. S.Signing up for the Beginner level class at Practical Mandarin was the best thing I did, it has been worthwhile and a great experience. Sophia the teacher ensures she engages all students and is very attentive to each students needs but at the same time keeps it fun and interesting. Something to note is that she encourages you to understand the culture for an even better experience as this helps with your understanding of the language. I found her very inspirational and she kept me engaged at all times. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and learned so much that I have signed up for the intermediate class (along with some of my other classmates) which she will also be teaching us.
I look forward to each class and I'll definitely be continuing!
Sign up now
A. B.Great class for learning Mandarin. The lessons are well-structured and go at a good pace. The resources provided to continue learning out of class hours are very helpful. Our teacher (Anne) is a very patient teacher as well as cheery and fun and made learning in the classes a very pleasant experience.
V.Vivien is a superb teacher! She makes learning Mandarin fun! The courses are well structured. In addition, you don't only learn the language, she is also eager to teach you about China's rich culture, past and present. After only a few month on her course (once a week) I travelled to China, and was thrilled that I could not only speak basic sentences, but people could actually understand me and answered back :). I highly recommend her.
L. B.Good lesson, with friendly staff
A.Great experience allowed me to understand and learn another language
A. C.Good experience - would recommend!
H. X. S.(Translated) Great! If your dream is to speak Chinese well, Practical Mandarin is a powerful school. All teachers are capable and amiable.
I have two teachers, first Annie, then Maybel. All are good teachers and friends.
Five stars (like the Chinese flag)!
(Original)
太棒了!如果你的梦是说汉语得很好Practical Mandarin就是一个给力的学校。所有的老师都是又能力又和气。
我有两个老师，首先是Annie，然后是Maybel。都是良师益友。
五颗星（就像中国的国旗一样)！
A. M.(Translated) Practical Mandarin, Practical Magic. Amazing !!
(Original)
Practical Mandarin, Practical Magic. 惊人 !!
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