Findings from interviews conducted by Salam Watandar with 24 women learning foreign languages indicate that language learning in Afghanistan has become a key strategy for accessing education, employment, and migration.
Among those interviewed, 15 said their motivation was to continue their education and pursue educational migration. Meanwhile, 20 reported that access to employment opportunities was one of their primary reasons for learning foreign languages.
For Parwin Eqbali, a 26-year-old from Maidan Wardak, learning English is closely linked to educational migration and the continuation of her studies.
“My goal in learning a foreign language is to find a job and continue my education abroad, as educational opportunities for girls in Afghanistan are not available,” she says.
Samira Ahmadi, a 25-year-old from Ghazni, is also learning French with the aim of continuing her education.
“My main motivation was my brother. He was in France, and I wanted to go there too to study, work, and live with him, so I learned French,” she says.
Some of the women interviewed say that learning a foreign language has paved the way for them to access employment opportunities.
Spogmai, a 22-year-old from Kabul who works as a translator at a news agency, says, “After learning English, I started working in the translation department of a news agency, where I translate texts from English into Pashto.”
Fatima Amir, a 26-year-old from Baghlan who is learning English, says she chose to learn the language because it is an international language and is widely used.
“Learning a foreign language helps a person grow and progress, and my main motivation has been to expand my knowledge in all areas,” she says.
Sahar Andarabi, a 19-year-old from Kabul, aims to learn a foreign language for personal development. She says,
“I decided to learn a foreign language because, in today’s world, knowing a language is a very important skill and, for me, it is a key factor in my personal progress.”
Economic difficulties, lack of suitable learning environments, and limited internet access for distance learning are among the main challenges faced by the women interviewed in learning languages.
Atefa Sadat, a 20-year-old from Kabul, says that low confidence and the closure of courses were the main challenges in learning the language.
“My confidence decreased when I couldn’t learn the language, and I often held myself back, but I kept trying. Another challenge was the closure of courses,” she says.
Nargis, a 20-year-old from Balkh, also says, “Our biggest problem is the lack of access to places where we can learn English. Learning the language itself was also a challenge for me.”
The findings of this report indicate that, alongside employment restrictions, women’s limited access to formal education has made foreign language learning one of the few remaining pathways to continue their education and access new opportunities.
Educational experts say the growing interest among women in learning foreign languages is directly linked to educational restrictions and the current social conditions in Afghanistan.
Jamaluddin Sulaimani, an education expert, says that the closure of schools and educational restrictions have pushed many girls toward learning international languages.
“By learning an international language, girls pave the way for obtaining scholarships. Learning international languages—especially English, which is the language of the global economy—can help them support themselves and their families,” he adds.
Meanwhile, language teachers say that educational and employment restrictions in recent years have increased the interest of Afghan girls and women in learning foreign languages. Nargis Saraj, an online English teacher, says,
“The interest of Afghan girls and women in learning foreign languages has increased compared to the past. Many girls, due to educational and employment restrictions, are trying to find new opportunities for online education, scholarships, or remote work through learning foreign languages.”
Abdulzohor Mudaber, an economic expert, says that learning foreign languages can play an important role in workforce development and economic growth.
“The more skills people have, the more effective they can be in the labor market. Knowing foreign languages enables them to make better use of economic opportunities and improves communication with both domestic and international markets,” he says.
Meanwhile, Mohammadullah Baloch, a psychologist, says that learning languages, in addition to its educational impact, plays an important role in mental health and in increasing women’s self-confidence.
“When a person knows multiple languages, their self-confidence and ability to communicate with others increase. For girls, education is a fundamental psychological need,” he says.
Based on the 2025 Afghanistan Education Status Report published by UNESCO and UNICEF, alternative pathways such as online education, learning skills, and community-supported learning remain essential for teenage girls.
The experiences of the women interviewed in this report show that learning foreign languages has become a tool for some of them to continue their education, improve their job skills, and seek new opportunities both inside and outside the country.
Reporter: Barbina Muradi
