> [...] practical value you get from it is next to 0 compared to for example learning medicine, electronics, IT, math etc.
Source missing. Seriously though, you sound very certain of your claim so let me at least offer a counterpoint, however anecdotal.
I've had tons of practical value out of some of my language skills. I would not have the career I have today if I hadn't learned English as a second language. Admittedly my third language, German, was a bust, but I blame the way schools teach language for that (grammar, grammar, grammar). My fourth language, Thai, OTOH was a great investment not only because it made it possible for me to be self-sufficient and socialize (and make friends) while living in Thailand, it also was so different from the previous languages I knew that I could feel my mind expanding. Finally, I've also cracked my head at (Mandarin) Chinese but in that case the practical value has been much closer to 0 but it at least made it possible for me to travel around China on my own, which was well worth it at the time for me.
Source missing. Seriously though, you sound very certain of your claim so let me at least offer a counterpoint, however anecdotal.
I've had tons of practical value out of some of my language skills. I would not have the career I have today if I hadn't learned English as a second language. Admittedly my third language, German, was a bust, but I blame the way schools teach language for that (grammar, grammar, grammar). My fourth language, Thai, OTOH was a great investment not only because it made it possible for me to be self-sufficient and socialize (and make friends) while living in Thailand, it also was so different from the previous languages I knew that I could feel my mind expanding. Finally, I've also cracked my head at (Mandarin) Chinese but in that case the practical value has been much closer to 0 but it at least made it possible for me to travel around China on my own, which was well worth it at the time for me.