I was taught assembler (360);PL/1;Fortran/WAT4COBOL;RPG1 in College and picked up BASIC on my own.I won't agree that everyone should learn how to code, as I watched several classmates STRUGGLE at even the most basic routines (read/write). I found that one needs to have an aptitude for coding and a passion for it, otherwise it can be a very painful experience.
If someone is curious and wants to learn more about it, by all means be supportive and encourage them, but to *force* someone to code, not to sure about the success rate of that method, IMHO