The mission of the CAFAM Chinese School in Portland, Maine, is to encourage the lifelong learning and enjoyment of Chinese culture through lively classes for children in Mandarin language, calligraphy, art, song, and dance.

Our structure...We rely on volunteers

The school offers a fall and a spring semester with a total of twelve class sessions each year. Students can choose to participate in performances at Chinese New Year during CAFAM’s annual fair and also at festivals in the spring.

The school started in 1996 and is sponsored by the Chinese and American Friendship Association of Maine (CAFAM). It is open to any family who is interested in bringing Chinese culture into the lives of their children.

CAFAM Chinese School is largely a volunteer effort with parents organizing the school and developing the curriculum. Our wonderfully devoted Mandarin-speaking teachers are the only paid staff.

Although volunteering is not a condition of enrollment, it is expected that parents will take on a role at some point during their child's time in the school. Some volunteer roles qualify the family for a discount in tuition.

Our goal...fun first!

Because we have precious little time together each year, it is not the intent of the school to train children to speak Mandarin with proficiency. Instead, we strive to provide language instruction that exposes children to the sounds and structure of the language. We introduce them to the characters and introduce the rules for written Chinese. The classes are designed to present the language and culture in a way that is meaningful and fun and will encourage ongoing interest. Classroom materials are designed to support the parents because of the necessary role they play in supporting their child’s learning. And we always try to link interested families with tutors and learning tools they can use all year.

Perhaps the most treasured responsibility we share is the desire to create a place where lasting friendships are forged and where a sense of community flourishes. For many of our families, the school provides an important ongoing participation in Chinese culture. We try to bring China home to Maine, and it is our hope that the children who learn at the school will always be proud of their heritage.