Final answer:
ESL teachers should develop students' awareness and understanding of cultural values and practices to increase their understanding of the growing interdependence of nations and peoples and develop their ability to apply a comparative perspective to cross-cultural experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best reason why ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers should spend time developing students' awareness and understanding of cultural values and practices is to increase students' understanding of the growing interdependence of nations and peoples and develop their ability to apply a comparative perspective to cross-cultural social, economic, and political experiences. By learning about different cultures, students gain a broader perspective and appreciation for diversity, which is essential in today's globalized world.