Dr. Teresa Bell is an associate professor and associate chair in the Department of German and Russian at Brigham Young University. She specializes in second language acquisition, applied linguistics, and language teaching methodologies. With a passion for making language learning accessible and meaningful, Dr. Bell has dedicated her career to supporting both students and teachers in language education.
Dr. Bell earned her bachelor’s degree in German and her master’s degree in German literature from BYU, then completed a PhD in second language acquisition and teaching from the University of Arizona. In 2000, Dr. Bell began her teaching career at the University of Pittsburgh. Two years later, she became a faculty member at the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Bell joined the BYU faculty in 2013, where she has been ever since.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Bell is a leader in language education advocacy. Since 2016, she has served as a program review coordinator for the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. In 2024, she was appointed president of the Utah Foreign Language Association, where she worked to support language education across the state. Her research explores second language proficiency, language teacher development, and student-teacher perceptions in language learning.
Dr. Bell believes deeply in the power of language to bridge cultural divides. By supporting language teachers and advocating for expanded language education, she hopes to ignite excitement and engagement in students, equipping them with the tools to create meaningful connections with others throughout the world. Through her research, leadership, and mentorship, she continues to shape language education.
