Academic essays require proper formatting and your teacher expects you to cite your sources correctly. At first, glance learning about citations seems strange and confusing. You might even find it as an unnecessary exercise. However, proper formatting and citation gives credibility to your paper. An academic assignment with proper format and citations minimizes ambiguity and ensures accuracy. Also, proper formatting and citation guides readers about your research.
It is getting common to learn foreign languages. You can see that many schools, colleges and universities have started new foreign language courses. I remember I learnt a Chinese language course at the university level. It is not about learning a new language, but this practice works as an exercise for your brain. The world is getting more connected as technology is getting advanced. Thus, taking courses of foreign languages is not a problem anymore.