More Than Just a Language: My Journey with German Classes

Sometimes, a class becomes much more than a subject—it becomes a beautiful memory. My German classes at school are one such experience that I will always cherish.

It all began one day when we were informed about German language lessons and were invited to give our names if we were interested. I was immediately excited and wrote my name without a second thought. I never imagined how special this decision would turn out to be.

Our German classes were held during the 5th and 6th lessons, and they were taken by Mr Joachim Keferstein, a teacher who made learning truly enjoyable.

Mr Joachim Keferstein, former Head of Department in the NRW Ministry of Education, Germany, where he was responsible for secondary schools, European schools, and UNESCO schools. Despite his vast experience and international stature, Sir was extremely humble, warm, and friendly with all of us, which made learning German a joyful experience.

Although I missed the first class and found it difficult to understand the second one, Sir’s patience, encouragement, and positive attitude motivated me to keep trying. He never made us feel afraid of making mistakes and always inspired us to do better.

With regular practice and Sir’s constant guidance, we gradually became more confident. One day, Sir announced that we would prepare a skit in German. He selected five students and trusted me with the role of a teacher. His belief in me gave me immense confidence. We practised several times, and even when Sir had to travel to Shimla, he made sure we were well prepared by sending us voice messages to help improve our pronunciation. This showed how deeply he cared about our learning.

On the day of the skit, I was nervous but determined to give my best. After the performance, Sir announced that he would award the titles of 'Best Girl’ and ‘Best Boy’ in front of our respected Principal Sir and HM Sir. I had no expectations, so when Sir announced my name as the 'Best Girl in the German Class', I was overjoyed and proud. To make the moment even more special, Sir gifted me a sports jersey of the famous German footballer Müller, which I will always treasure.

Mr. Keferstein did not just teach us a language; he shared stories about his family, culture, and life, making every class lively and meaningful. Learning from him was a truly mesmerising experience. As a warm farewell, he even arranged a small party for all the German students in the school mess, which showed his affection and connection with us.

I am very sure that I will miss him a lot. Mr. Keferstein has left a lasting impact on me and has inspired me to continue learning German. I hope that one day I will visit Germany and meet him again. This journey has taught me that a great teacher can turn learning into a lifelong memory.

Aaliya Saifi

Class 7