Melody Slothower

I love to teach. It gives me energy and inspiration. The combination of the creative process developing curriculum, the challenge of teaching to different learning styles, and the day-to-day interaction with students from all over the world is an interesting and worthwhile way to spend my day.

My teaching background is varied and rich. As a full time ESL (English as a second language) instructor at Oregon State University (OSU), I developed and taught a wide variety of English and subject matter curricula to international students. In addition, I taught a cross cultural communication course to Freshman OSU students focused on cultural understanding, meaningful cross cultural communication and breaking down barriers to relationships between domestic and international students.

Previous to my assignment at OSU, I taught English and social studies in both traditional (Santiam Christian High School) and alternative high schools (Morrison Campus/Dallas High School) and worked as a private music teacher.

I am now pursuing a new venture and am working from a home classroom to tutor, coach and teach weekly ESL classes to internationals from age 12-adult. The rewards of being in charge of my own schedule and tailoring curriculum to specific student needs and interests has compelled me to leave the safe cocoon of the public education sector and become an independent English teacher. Please check out my webpage at: www.englishtreesl.com.

My husband and I have hosted international students for the past 25 years-here in Corvallis as well as in Bozeman, Montana. We have enjoyed students from Japan, South Korea, Romania, France, Germany, Oman, China, Botswana and many other interesting places. We love the life and cultural perspectives that they bring into our home.

When I am not teaching, I like to wander to far away places with my fellow traveler and love of my life, Ben. Favorite go to place: high in the Alps in France and Switzerland. And when I'm not speaking English....I like to try my luck at French.

"The world is a book and those who do not travel only read one page" St. Augustine