Money for nuthin?

The Department of Education recently gave $12 million in grants to U.S. foreign language schools to promote national security in languages such as Chinese, Russian and Arabic. While the study of foreign language is certainly a traditional non-priority in American schools, how will this grant money help? How will the disbursement among 24 States and D.C. positively affect student learning? Could the money have been used towards other critical areas in U.S. schools, or is it properly placed?