About Us
Our mission is to provide a high-quality learning environment that encourages children to be excited about learning and exploring the world around them and grow into confident, caring, and multilingual individuals with a love for culture, language, and diversity.
We offer a child-oriented, developmentally appropriate preschool program designed to meet the needs of the whole child. Our unique approach draws from Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Language Immersion philosophies.
Daily routines at Global Friends Language School motivate children to engage in many active learning experiences both indoors and outdoors. These experiences enhance children's development in cognitive growth, fine and gross motor skills, social competences, language and literacy skills, creative expression and sensory integration.
Throughout the day, children are free to choose from age-appropriate activities including art, music, language development, math, science and nature, and dramatic play, helping them to develop self-esteem, independence and problem-solving skills.
Our Story
Global Friends Language School sprouted from a cross-cultural friendship that began in China. Mandy and Summer first met while working as co-teachers at an English school in Dalian, China. Among many common interests such as travel, hiking, biking, camping, and music, they found that they shared a passion for language, culture and teaching and became fast friends. Happily working together for two years, Summer and Mandy realized they made a great team, and the idea to start a business together formed. They moved to Portland, Oregon from China in 2012 and started working towards the goal of starting a language immersion preschool. Finally, in December of 2014, the dream started to become a reality, and in May of 2016, Global Friends Language School welcomed its first students. Since then, the GFLS team has grown to include additional Mandarin speaking teachers who combine their love of children, playful spirits and dynamic teaching styles to create a fun and nurturing early educational experience for future citizens of the world.
