Solid, re-useable learning resources

When I arrived in China last September I knew only a few words of Chinese and was an absolute beginner. I had had a couple of lessons with a native speaker but was unable to express even the most basic of sentences in a supermarket, coffee shop or at the market.
Silk Mandarin's course has made a difference because it gave me an overview of the basic structure of the language which meant I was quickly able to make myself understood in short exchanges.
Perhaps, more importantly, their online materials are always available so the learner can pace their revision and have a handy reference point to check when doubts arise.
The most surprising aspect of these were the 'real-life' dialogue videos which gave insight into daily life and tendencies in Shanghai.
The course was recommended to me by a colleague who had previously tried other schools and had found, above all, Silk Mandarin's approach to tones very helpful.
I was also pleased with how the school reacted when I needed to change the timetable due to work commitments. The 1-to-1 course I was offered was highly beneficial in increasing my confidence. Qiying is an extremely thoughtful teacher who is always available with feedback and help!
All in all, I would recommend it to those who are 100% committed to learning and want to move quickly.