What is Programming?

Warm-up: Talking to a programmer

2 warm-up questions

• Do you use a computer or phone every day? What do you use it for most?
• First try: I'm a programmer at your company. We meet at lunch. Ask me about my work — three questions, go.

Reading: Understanding Code

Read a 105-word text about Understanding Code

Understanding Code What is programming? Programming is writing instructions for computers. These instructions are called "code." Programmers write code to make apps, websites, and software. How does code work? 1. A programmer writes code in a programming language 2. The computer reads the code 3. The computer follows the instructions 4. The app or website works Common programming languages: JavaScript - for websites and apps Python - for data and AI Java - for Android apps Swift - for iPhone apps Why learn about code? You don't need to write code, but understanding it helps you: Talk to developers Understand tech projects Make better decisions

Vocabulary: Programming Words

6 items

Reading: Two model conversations about code

Read a 215-word text about Two model conversations about code

Two model conversations about code You don't need to write code to talk about it. Here are two short, complete conversations — every question is one you can use tomorrow. At lunch with a developer "What are you working on at the moment? … A mobile app — nice. What does the app do? … Ah, it helps people order food. What programming language are you using? … JavaScript, OK — I've heard that's for websites and apps. And when will it be ready? … Two months. I'd love to see it when it's done!" Four small questions — and the developer did all the hard work. That's the trick: ask about the app, the language, and the time, and you can talk to any programmer. Explaining programming to a friend "My friend asked me: what IS programming? I said: programming is writing instructions for computers. The instructions are called code. A programmer writes the code, the computer reads it and follows it — and that's how we get apps and websites. You write code in a programming language — for example, Python or JavaScript. That's it. It's like writing a recipe, but the cook is a computer." Simple words, one comparison, no fear. If you can say this, you understand more than most people.

Practice: Complete the Sentences

Gap-fill exercise, 5 items

• A person who writes code is called a ____.
• ____ is a programming language used for websites.
• An ____ is a program for your phone.
• Programmers write ____ to give computers instructions.
• Python is used for data and ____.

Practice: Match the Terms

Matching exercise, 5 items

• Code
• App
• Website
• Programmer
• Software

Dialogue: Talking About Tech

Role-play: You're asking a colleague about a new project (6 lines)

• You: Hi! What are you working on?
• Developer: I'm writing code for our new mobile app.
• You: Interesting! What programming language are you using?
• Developer: I'm using JavaScript for the front-end.
• You: When will the app be ready?
• Developer: We should have it ready in about two months.

Discussion: Your mission: the lunch conversation

3 discussion questions

• Mission: your tutor is a developer at your company. Have a two-minute lunch conversation about their work. Success = you ask at least three questions (the app, the language, the time), and at the end you can repeat back in one sentence what they are building. (Tutor: answer naturally, with one or two simple tech words.)
• Second take: now YOU explain to your tutor what programming is — like the friend explanation in the model. Use the words code, programmer and programming language. One comparison (like the recipe) makes it perfect.
• Compare with your three first-try questions from the warm-up. Which new question will you use in real life?