this is the reason why EUropean students constantly outperform American students in all areas . Because they are taught many foreign languages . Because Europe has many different Nation States and they are all interconnected . Forcing the students there to LEARN more than a single language . This stimulates the brain in ways that most American school boards and educator cannot understand . It really allows the children to interact and view the world around them in ways other than a SINGLE MYOPIC and closed point of view  . It opens up the mind rather than what we tend to do in America and that is shut it down .. and just teach TESTING ... a rather ridiculous way to teach anything  .. Because we live on planet that has many different people culture and languages this can be useful and is a tool by which to open up the mind to many different perspectives via language ..