Programs are texts
If programming is like talking, then programs are nothing other than grammatically correct texts in a programming language. The grammatical rules are even more exact than those of Latin. And we know that Latin positively influences the ability of exact formulations of thoughts as well as the understanding of the syntax and semantics of languages. Learning Latin therefore offers plenty of benefits – and computer science does too!
One of the most fascinating parts of a good computer science class is teaching a computer to understand new words. Even Pippi Longstocking relished creating new words, getting into any kind of mischief while searching for “spunk”. “Klingon” – a language invented for the Star Trek movie series – is now spoken by “Trekkies” worldwide. Developing your own language truly is a fascinating adventure! But jet, no other subject lets students create and use their own language at school.
Choosing the right language
So how do we select a suitable programming language for teaching programming that offers the opportunity to develop on your own? After all, just like the natural language varieties, there are many different programming languages, all with their own advantages and disadvantages. It would be bad advice to simply focus on what’s currently popular or has a big commercial use. Unlike established natural languages, programming languages can very quickly disappear or become outdated.