Elan – First Language for British Schools Since 1981 - TC meeting

If you missed our thematic community session: “Elan: A New Programming Language for British Schools,” don’t worry! Here’s a recap of the session and all the essential takeaways.

Key Takeaways:

• Elan is the first programming language designed specifically for British schools since BBC BASIC in 1981.

• It offers a syntax focused on readability and ease of use, ideal for transitioning students from block-based to text-based coding.

• The platform is browser-based, free, and guarantees future compatibility for all code written.

• Elan supports multiple paradigms, including procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming.

• Built-in features like frame-based editing and syntax error prevention simplify the learning process for students.

During the session, Richard unveiled Elan, a new programming language aimed at transforming how programming is taught in schools. Designed to be intuitive and accessible, Elan is the first major programming language tailored specifically for British schools in over four decades. Its goal is to bridge the gap between block-based environments like Scratch and more advanced text-based languages such as Python.

Elan’s development is backed by a commitment to free resources and tools, ensuring accessibility for all schools. The language is browser-based, eliminating installation hurdles, and it’s designed to run seamlessly both online and offline.

Elan was created with teaching and learning in mind. It focuses on readability and verbal clarity—a crucial feature for classrooms. Every line begins with a keyword, ensuring that students can easily relate code to spoken instructions. Additionally, Elan reduces the likelihood of syntax errors through frame-based editing, offering students suggestions for valid inputs at every step. This feature mimics the ease of block-based languages while introducing students to a text-based environment.

Elan offers three types of graphical tools:

• Block Graphics: Simple, grid-based visuals reminiscent of 1980s computing.

• Turtle Graphics: Familiar to teachers who use Python for drawing.

• Vector Graphics: Advanced, scalable visuals for creative projects like animations.

These tools make it easy to create engaging projects, from classic games like Snake to dynamic visualisations like pathfinding algorithms. During the session, Richard demonstrated a variety of examples, showcasing how Elan can be used to teach both fundamentals and advanced programming concepts.

One of Elan’s standout features is its support for procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming within a single language. Richard shared three implementations of the Snake game, each demonstrating a different paradigm. This flexibility allows students to explore various programming approaches without switching languages, deepening their understanding of key concepts.

Elan promotes good programming habits from the outset. It includes built-in support for unit testing, encouraging students to test and refine their code. The language also enforces practices such as clear structure and limited use of global variables, preparing students for higher-level programming.

As you consider how Elan might fit into your classroom, here are some reflective questions:

• How could Elan’s readability and structure benefit students transitioning from block-based coding?

• What impact might the built-in testing features have on your students’ debugging skills?

• How could you use Elan’s multi-paradigm capabilities to introduce advanced concepts like functional programming?

Further resources:

Watch the recording

10 reasons to love coding with Elan

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