Is coding becoming a social science?
You probably heard about implementing coding classes at schools as an alternative to a foreign language class. Until last week, I did not believe it was a serious possibility. The bill is now going to be on the Senate floor and seems likely to pass – this is happening.
Belonging to a family of scientists, it does make sense to me to implement coding classes in our schools. I do think it is an interesting idea that will give students more opportunities to engage in tomorrow's world market. I do not understand, though, why it is associated with foreign languages.
It is true that the word "language" describes a variety of things. A language gives you the ability to engage in a dialogue. Math is a form of language. With coding, you can communicate with computers. It is a technical skill that may be useful in numerous professions. But how is that comparable with learning a foreign language? I wonder about the message we are sending to students: Communicating with machines is as valuable as communicating with other human beings.
Yes, just like coding, learning a foreign language requires technical skills. French grammar, for example, is somewhat complex and the intricacies of the subjunctives are technical challenges for students. However, it is such a narrow view to reduce a foreign language to a technical skill. It is so much more.
A foreign language is an opening to another culture, another people, another state of the mind. In today's world, I believe it is essential to keep teaching foreign languages to all students. It gives them clues to understand their cultural heritage. It is an opportunity to sharpen their views of today's and tomorrow's worlds challenges.
Teaching coding at school is a great idea, but why create a competition with foreign languages? These are simply two separate subjects. They should not be considered as equivalent – they should not even be compared. We are talking about two different things, two different worlds and it is a misguided debate.
Don't take me wrong, I do support the development of coding classes, but not as a social science. Foreign languages deserve to be defended.
Johanne Deremble is the director of the Alliance Francaise of Tallahassee.
