1 Introduction

Afghanistan is located in the center of the Eurasian continent and is a key country of the "the Belt and Road". Since 2002, China Arab relations have been continuously strengthened, and the development strategies of both sides are highly aligned. Achieving the "five links" is the core of the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road", in which language exchange is crucial. Foreign language education plays a significant role in national development and international cooperation. Studying the foreign language education policies and practices in Afghanistan is of great significance for promoting Chinese language education and deepening cultural exchanges between China and Afghanistan.

The Historical Development of Modern Foreign Language Education and Its Policies in Afghanistan

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Afghan National Enlightenment Movement emerged, and the "Young Afghan Faction" led by Mahmud Beg Talzi promoted the learning of foreign languages, especially English, in order to acquire knowledge and skills. In 1904, Habibia School was established, marking the beginning of modern foreign language education. In the 1950s to 1970s, the Afghan education system was planned and developed, with English becoming the most widely taught foreign language in public secondary schools, and Russian introduced in 1975. Arabic is a compulsory course in religious education. In higher education, foreign languages are used to teach academic subjects, and multiple countries cooperate to establish colleges that directly use foreign languages for teaching. In the 1980s, the People's Democratic Party regime was influenced by the Soviet Union and elevated the status of Russian. The arrival of Soviet experts and academic exchanges made Russian the main foreign language. From the 1990s to the end of the 20th century, the development of foreign language education in Afghanistan stagnated, with civil war and poverty affecting education. Although English courses were offered during the Taliban period, some members avoided English.

Modern Foreign Language Education Policies and Practices in Afghanistan Since the Beginning of the 21st Century

After entering the 21st century, the new Afghan government did not explicitly propose foreign language education policies during the process of national reconstruction, but planned for foreign languages and abilities. In terms of English education policy, after the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, English was widely spread in Afghanistan, and the arrival of international organizations and non-governmental organizations promoted the popularization of English. English curriculum occupies an important position in the primary and secondary education system, and the English teaching level in public schools is generally low, while private schools provide a good learning environment. In higher education, college students are required to take elective English courses, and the English Department of Kabul University offers specialized English courses. The government collaborates with the English Teachers' Association and the British Council to enhance the abilities of English teachers. The British Council has established a resource center in Afghanistan, providing English teaching materials, setting up English teaching radio stations, and developing online learning software.

4 Characteristics of Afghanistan's Foreign Language Education Policy

Analyzed the characteristics of Afghanistan's foreign language education policy, pointing out that it always aims to serve national interests and is closely related to domestic and international politics. At the beginning of the 20th century, Afghanistan implemented modernization reforms and opened up foreign language education. In the early 1950s, in order to achieve national development, a foreign language education policy with English as the main language was implemented. In 1978, Afghanistan entered the socialist camp, and Russian played an important role in foreign language education. After the Taliban came to power in 1996, foreign language education was greatly affected. Since 2002, foreign language education in Afghanistan has resumed development, with English becoming the most widely studied foreign language. Afghanistan attaches great importance to balancing mother tongue and foreign language education, emphasizing the dominant position of mother tongue education, while requiring students to be proficient in international common languages such as English. English plays an important instrumental role in Afghanistan. Learning English can increase income, expand business opportunities, obtain more job opportunities, and apply for studying abroad. A high level of English proficiency has advantages in employment and salary, which has become a consensus among more and more Afghan people.

5 Opportunities for Chinese Education in Afghanistan after the Taliban Returns to Power

In the context of globalization, foreign language education has become the key to a country's soft power. After the Afghan Taliban regained power in 2021, they expressed their willingness to develop China Afghanistan friendly relations and support the "the Belt and Road". With the deepening of economic and trade cooperation between China and Afghanistan, Chinese education in Afghanistan is facing new opportunities. China has established teaching institutions such as Confucius Institutes in Afghanistan, but needs to further expand their scale, optimize their layout, and meet the growing demand for Chinese language learning. At the same time, efforts should be made to strengthen the training of local Chinese language teachers, develop textbooks that are suitable for the actual situation in Afghanistan, and create a positive atmosphere for learning Chinese.

6 Conclusion

Foreign language education in Afghanistan has gone through stages of initiation, development, adjustment, and stagnation, and is currently recovering and developing. The cooperation between China and Afghanistan faces opportunities. China should deepen educational exchanges, promote Chinese teaching, enhance the influence of Chinese in Afghanistan, and promote the implementation of the "the Belt and Road" initiative.