Hamid Nejatpour

Dear Mr. Nejatpour:

You've been on my mind...

Even though I haven't had any contact with you in nearly three decades, I think of you every time I read a German word or hear someone speak German. 

You were my favorite instructor at Simin Institute in Tehran, Iran. When I went to register at that school in 1991, my plan was to just get a little familiar with German and attend only the beginning level. I never intended to study the language for a whole year.

You were always so full of energy and explained the language features so well that you motivated me — and so many other students — to keep learning. I always asked a lot of grammar questions in class, and you always answered them perfectly. I learned German because of you. I even became fluent.

A year after classes had ended, we ran into each other on the street, and you started speaking German to me. That day, I understood what you said, but it took me a long time to structure the response in my head, and you just stood there and stared at me while I was struggling to get my answer out. You looked so disappointed. I had been your top student only a year before, but I hadn't practiced at all, and I felt so ashamed of myself for letting you down. I didn't know how to make it up to you, and that was the last time I saw you.

After three decades of not using German at all, I am, of course, extremely slow at speaking the language, but I can still read it because I never forgot the pronunciation you taught so well. Also, I still remember all the grammar you explained to us.

I want you to know how grateful I was — and still am — for everything you taught me. Thank you for being such a wonderful instructor. Wherever you are, I hope you're doing well.

Love,

Noosha Ravaghi



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