ESL WORKSHEET - Coding and programming

LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

CODING AND PROGRAMMING BASICS

LinguaHouse

Sep. 25, 2025

Level: Intermediate (B1-B2)
Type of language: Business English
Tags: Information Technology (IT); Science and Technology; Computing; Vocabulary Lesson; Useful Vocabulary; Adjectives; Article Based; Speaking; 13-15 Years Old; 16-18 Years Old; 18+ Years Old
Publication date: 09/25/2025

In this lesson, students are introduced to different terms and ideas relating to coding and programming. A listening task provides an overview of what coding and programming typically involve. This is followed by a vocabulary section that explores key coding terminology in context. Students then complete a reading comprehension activity that explores the history and evolution of programming. Optional extension tasks include a word search to reinforce vocabulary and a role-play activity. (by Joey Vaughan-Birch)

• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in British English.

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

Speaker: Coding and Programming Basics
Programming is the process of designing and building an application by writing computer code that follows a clear logic or structure. It's about solving problems by creating programs that implement algorithms, which are step-by-step sets of instructions. These algorithms can be represented using pseudocode or flowcharts to understand the logic before it’s changed into real code. Programming involves critical thinking and a deep understanding of how systems operate.
Coding is a subset of programming. While programming includes analysis, planning, and testing, coding focuses specifically on translating ideas into a particular language like Python, Java, or C++. It typically involves applying syntax to create instructions that a computer can follow.
Programming languages are artificial — often, they are constructed systems made up of statements and commands. These languages need to be converted into machine code before a computer can actually execute them. This translation is done using compilers or interpreters.
There are many programming languages, and they vary in terms of complexity and purpose. For instance, Python is known for being user-friendly and versatile, while C++ is more rigorous and used for performance-heavy applications. Scratch, a visual language, uses colored blocks instead of written commands, making it more accessible to beginners.
Ultimately, programming is about architecture, design, and problem-solving — while coding is the hands-on part where instructions are written line-by-line. Both are essential, but they operate on slightly different levels of abstraction.

Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/business-english/coding-and-programming-basics. Accessed on September 29, 2025. LinguaHouse.com © 2008–2025. All rights reserved.