As a former English-kid (well I grew up in Italy so I was an "Italian-kid"), who became a programmer after having worked as a journalist, I completely agree with the article. Although code can be seen merely as a series of mathematical statements, nonetheless it has its 'grammar', syntax and semantics, just like any natural language does.
I have noticed that in Australia (where I got my bachelor in IT) you are required to write essays on a regular basis even if you are studying scientific subjects and I think that's good.
