5 Reasons Why Python is the Perfect Programming Language for Secondary School Students
As a computer science teacher, you know the importance of choosing the right programming language for your students. With so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which language is the best fit for your secondary school students.
However, there is one programming language that stands out from the rest: Python.
Python is more than just a popular language; it's the perfect language for students who are just starting their programming journey.
In this post, we'll explore five reasons why Python is the ideal programming language for secondary school students. By the end of this post, you'll have a better understanding of why Python is a must-have tool in your classroom and your students will thank you for it. So, if you want to see your students thrive in the world of programming, keep reading.
Reason 1: Python is easy to learn
Python is often considered to be a relatively easy language to learn, especially for beginners. The language is designed to be both concise and readable and its syntax is straightforward and intuitive.
Let’s compare Python to two other popular programming languages, C++ and Java.
C++ is a powerful, general-purpose programming language that is used to build a wide range of applications, from video games to operating systems. However, its syntax can be quite complex, especially for beginners. For example, C++ requires that variables be declared with a specific data type before they can be used, and it uses semicolons to indicate the end of each statement.
A simple for loop to count from 1 to 10 using C++ would be:
for(int i = 1; i <= 10; i++) {
cout << i << " ";
}
Java is another popular general-purpose programming language that is used to build a wide range of applications, including mobile apps and enterprise software. Java syntax is also more complex than Python syntax, with a number of rules and conventions that must be followed. For example, in Java, all statements must end with a semicolon and curly brackets are used to indicate code blocks.
The same for loop we looked at above, using Java, would be:
for(int i = 1; i <= 10; i++) {
System.out.print(i + " ");
}
Python, on the other hand, has a syntax that is designed to be simple and intuitive. For example, Python uses indentation to indicate code blocks, rather than curly brackets or keywords like "end".
Python also has a dynamic type system, which means that variables do not need to be declared with a specific data type before they can be used.
The same for loop we have previously looked at, using Python, would be:
for i in range(1, 11):
print(i, end=' ')
With a focus on readability and straightforward code, students can quickly get up to speed and begin building their own programs.
Overall, while all three languages have their own strengths and weaknesses, Python's syntax is generally considered to be easier to learn, especially for beginners.
Reason 2: Python is versatile
Python is widely used in various industries, including web development, data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, scientific computing, finance and many more.
In these industries, Python is used for a plethora of purposes, such as:
developing web applications,
analysing and visualising data,
building machine learning models,
automating tasks and
developing scientific simulations.
Reason 3: Python is in high demand
Because of it's versatility, many companies are actively seeking Python developers and the demand for Python developers is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
The TIOBE Programming Community index is an indicator of the popularity of programming languages.
According to the TIOBE index, (as of April 2023) Python is currently the most popular programming language in use and its popularity has been steadily increasing in recent years.
Learning Python can provide students with an advantage in their future careers because it is a hugely versatile language that can be used in many different industries.
Reason 4: Python has a supportive community
Python has a large and active community of developers and there are plenty of resources available for students and teachers alike to help them improve their skills and troubleshoot any issues.
Simply looking on TES or TpT, you can see the vast number of teaching resources that are made for Python in comparison to other programming languages.
Reason 5: Python is fun
Finally, Python is a fun and engaging language to learn. With the ability to create games, apps and other projects, students can explore their creativity and build something they can be proud of.
If you are a computer science teacher who is looking for a language that is accessible, versatile, and enjoyable for their students to learn then Python provides everything you need.
