Languages and Cultures
Our professors are distinguished scholars, active researchers, published writers, and faithful Christians who demonstrate what it means to be both Christ-followers and leaders in their academic fields. As mentors and role models, they play a huge role in the integration of faith and learning at Bethel.
Faculty
Lisa Bekemeyer
Adjunct Instructor of Languages and Cultures | ldb86486@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001
Bekemeyer is passionate about teaching language through CI (Comprehensible Input) and TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling). She bases her courses on these tenents and strives to help her learners gain a variety of strategies for teaching language through content.
Laura Elias
Adjunct Instructor of Languages and Cultures | lae29245@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022
Adjunct Instructor of Languages and Cultures

Emily Isik
Adjunct Instructor of Languages and Cultures | emily-isik@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2009
Adjunct Instructor of Languages and Cultures

Gina Maltese-Preciado
Adjunct Instructor of Spanish Language | gim74778@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2012
Languages: Spanish
Sarah Nervig Steil
Adjunct Instructor of Languages and Cultures | scn88976@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016
Languages: Spanish
Mark Norlander
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Languages and Cultures | mrn26537@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016
Professor Norlander's teaching experience has involved secondary and post-secondary French instruction since 1979. He and his wife, Sharon have also directed the St. Paul Intercultural Institute at Bethel University for the past 20 years, which is a study abroad program for Japanese and Chinese university students.
Can Sakirgil
Adjunct Instructor of Languages and Cultures | sakirgil@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022
Adjunct Instructor of Languages and Cultures

Laura Sánchez González
Assistant Professor of Spanish | laura-sanchez@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2007
Sánchez González is from Guadalajara, Mexico, and has taught and administered in a K-12 bilingual school. She has a passion for Latin American culture and film.
Becki Tate
Adjunct Instructor of American Sign Language | becki-beckman@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Becki taught in Anoka-Hennepin for 12 years before joining Bethel University.