Why is it that our school system waits so long to teach certain things?

You're right, and many schools have put in foreign language classes in elementary schools. It means hiring more teachers, though, and with states cutting funding to schools again and again, most can't afford it. Also, they don't do a very good job of it. They usually have the kids for 30 minutes a few times a week. The kids learn colors and numbers- that's about all.

Now, the most effective way is to have two-way bilingual ed. That's when students get their content area instruction in two languages. Some California schools do that. But again, it's more expensive.

Yes, when you're in an environment where the language is spoken all the time. But to take lessons or a class 3 days a week for 45 minutes each time takes a certain amount of maturity to benefit or to do well.