Language classes don’t just teach the words/spelling/pronunciation but also teaches the values/culture/etc of that language/region. For example, you learn a great deal about France when learning French. My concern is that the culture of that region will be glossed over and praised as good/democratic/female friendly and great. This is obviously an attempt to glamorize and normalize Islamic countries as being equal to ours. IMHO
Yes the culture
and field trips where possible
For Arabic the field trip would be to a local mosque..
Public schools do take kids to them..
to hear what Barry Dunham-Soetoro calls “the prettiest sound in the world”