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IFA intern

Changing of the guard continues in the English Department

This year it is the turn of Mechthild Hammer-
schmitt that we have to say goodbye to. And
she has been at IFA for longer than most of
the current staff can remember (with the ex-
ception of the author of this article who has
been here just as long). Like quite a few other
colleagues here, Mechthild began at IFA as a
student in the English Department with Fach-
gebiet Wirtschaft so she was able to benefit
from the teaching and vast experience of
Frau Marion Schreiber who was head of IFA
back in those days. She qualified as a state-
examined translator and interpreter in 1982.

Frank Gillard, responsible for the English De- It must not be forgotten that Mechthild has
partment then, recognised her qualities as always had a relatively low number of teach-
a person with excellent skills in English and, ing hours because of her family commit-
from 1st March 1984 she has been employed ments but she has nevertheless devoted a
as a part-time teacher in the Department lot of time, energy and commitment to our
with short interruptions for the birth of her Department. In her spare time she has done
three children. During her time here, Mecht- voluntary charity work for years, and last but
hild has been an invaluable and extreme- not least she has been jointly and sometimes
ly loyal member of staff. She has taught a solely responsible for organising our depart- 53
wide range of subjects including several oral mental Christmas dinner – unfortunately
subjects which is testimony to her afore- stopped the last three years because of the
mentioned excellent almost native speaker Covid pandemic. The idea originated from
standard of English. She has been regularly her colleague Christine O’Donnell and was
involved in both the Berufsfachschule and quickly picked up by Mechthild. Having fun
Fachakademie and in both first and second and helping others to have fun have always
languages. This has included teaching and been high on her agenda.
examining at all levels. She has always been
conscientious and reliable. So conscientiousness, reliability, flexibility,
loyalty and fun are the qualities that made
Her work as a freelance interpreter at fairs Mechthild such an important member of our
or at registry office weddings enabled her to Department. We thank you sincerely for all
gain considerable professional experience these things Mechthild. They have been very
which she put to good practical use in her much appreciated. We wish you all the very
teaching. She repeatedly demonstrated best for your early retirement. Enjoy the time
flexibility and a willingness to help at extra- you can now spend with your family.
curricular activities such as the symposia
organised and carried out by the Depart- Graeme Cunningham
ment. She has also regularly helped at the
increasing number of educational fairs.