True, it doesn’t really seem like a particularly good use of time, although I’m sure that in the process of studying for spelling bees these kids are learning a lot of related information which actually will be useful later (like Latin roots, and foreign languages). In any case, it’s no worse than a kid spending nearly every waking hour practising a sport which they most likely won’t ever even reach the college level in, never mind making a career out of it.
I studied Latin for a few years (Catholic schools.1960's) and to the degree that I mastered the language (not a large degree for sure) I found that it helped my English vocabulary.
In any case, it’s no worse than a kid spending nearly every waking hour practicing a sport which they most likely won’t ever even reach the college level in, never mind making a career out of it.
Or,more importantly (IMO),better than kids spending 12 hours a day playing video games...which won't even help them become physically fit let alone providing a career for them.