How You Can Help Millions Learn to Code by Translating freeCodeCamp Into Your Native Language
freeCodeCamp is a nonprofit organization on a mission to help anyone, anywhere learn to code for free. Since 2014, over 40,000 freeCodeCamp graduates have gotten jobs at tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.
At the core of freeCodeCamp‘s success are two things: the tireless efforts of a global volunteer community and a commitment to keeping all learning resources completely free and accessible.
However, for the billions of adults globally who don‘t speak English, the language barrier still prevents them from being able to take advantage of these life-changing resources. That‘s why freeCodeCamp has launched an ambitious initiative to translate their 9,000+ tutorials and entire curriculum into as many world languages as possible.
The Power of Learning to Code in Your Native Language
Learning technical skills like programming is challenging enough in your native language. But for non-native English speakers, the difficulty is amplified. Having to simultaneously learn new concepts while grappling with an unfamiliar language is a major barrier.
Ana, a freeCodeCamp graduate from Brazil, struggled for years trying to learn coding through English resources. "I could understand the basics, but I felt like I was always missing something," she shared. It wasn‘t until she discovered freeCodeCamp‘s Portuguese translations that things finally clicked.
"Being able to learn in my native language made all the difference. Suddenly, complex concepts made sense and I could focus fully on the coding, not deciphering the English." Ana went on to land a full-time developer job and increase her salary by 70%.
Ana‘s story is just one of many. By removing the language barrier, freeCodeCamp translations are empowering people worldwide to unlock their full potential.
The Scale and Impact of freeCodeCamp Translations
Over the past three years, freeCodeCamp‘s volunteer translator community has made incredible progress. Here‘s a snapshot of the impact so far:
- 21,950 tutorials translated across 30 world languages
- 3 fully translated curriculum languages (Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese)
- 15 international publication streams with 450,000+ total subscribers
- 7 localized YouTube channels with 250,000+ total subscribers
- 500+ global contributors spanning 45 countries
The freeCodeCamp international publication streams alone are reaching over 1 million people per month. For many, it‘s their first introduction to coding concepts in their native language.
But the impact goes far beyond the numbers. Each translated resource represents a new opportunity for someone to change their life through learning to code.
Rehman, a 21-year-old from Pakistan, described how freeCodeCamp‘s Urdu translations opened up a whole new world. "In my city, there are no real options to learn coding. The only resources are in English, which I struggle with."
Through the Urdu translations, Rehman was able to learn front-end development and land his first freelance projects. "Without freeCodeCamp, I would have never had this opportunity. The translations made my dream of becoming a developer possible."
The Technical Challenges of Translating Code
Translating freeCodeCamp is a massive undertaking not just in terms of sheer scale, but in the technical complexity involved.
"Translating code-based learning content is an entirely different beast than translating a news article or blog post," explained Kris Koishigawa, freeCodeCamp‘s CTO. "Not only do you have to ensure the explanations and instructions are accurately translated, but all the code snippets and examples have to also be meticulously localized."
This requires careful coordination between translators and the core development team. freeCodeCamp‘s codebase and curriculum are specifically structured to support translations, with each language siloed into its own separate file structure.
Translators work primarily within Crowdin, a localization platform that allows for real-time collaboration. The platform integrates directly with GitHub, so any approved translations are automatically pushed live to freeCodeCamp‘s codebase.
"It‘s a complex workflow, but it allows us to maintain consistency and quality across dozens of languages at scale," said Koishigawa. "We‘re constantly iterating and improving the process as we bring on more languages."
Translations Powering the Future of Tech
The impact of freeCodeCamp‘s translation efforts extend far beyond just the individuals learning to code. By cultivating local, native-language coding communities worldwide, freeCodeCamp is helping fuel the future of technological innovation on a global scale.
"Most of the world‘s future population growth will be concentrated in countries like India, Nigeria, Indonesia, and Brazil," explained Quincy Larson, founder of freeCodeCamp. "If we want to see continued technological progress, we need to be empowering people in these countries with the skills to become creators, not just consumers, of technology."
Language is a critical component of that empowerment. A 2020 study by GitHub found that over 75% of new open source contributions came from non-English speaking countries. As translations make coding education more accessible globally, we can expect to see even more diverse perspectives and innovations emerging.
"Software engineering has always been a global profession, but language barriers have historically made it difficult for talent in many countries to participate fully," said Madison Kanna, a Bay-area developer and freeCodeCamp graduate originally from Thailand. "By tearing down those barriers, freeCodeCamp translations are democratizing access to tech skills and helping create a more inclusive global tech community."
How You Can Get Involved
Contributing to freeCodeCamp translations is a powerful way to make a real, tangible impact in spreading opportunity globally. And thanks to a supportive community and streamlined onboarding, getting started is easy no matter your background.
"One of the great things about the translation effort is that there are opportunities for people of all skill levels to contribute," explained Kris Koishigawa. "Whether you‘re a professional translator, a bilingual developer, or just someone who wants to give back, we have a place for you."
Here are some ways you can get involved:
-
Join the freeCodeCamp Translators chat room and introduce yourself. This is the hub for all translation efforts where you can connect with other contributors in your language.
-
Check out your language‘s Crowdin page to find tutorials and lessons ready to be translated. Start with something small to get familiar with the workflow.
-
Join your local freeCodeCamp study group or meetup. Many groups have in-person translation workshops and community events.
-
If you‘re a more experienced developer, consider becoming a proofreader or reviewer for your language. This is a critical role in ensuring translation quality.
-
Share freeCodeCamp translations with your network and encourage others to get involved. The more contributors we have, the faster we can make progress.
No matter how you choose to contribute, know that you‘ll be making a real difference in the lives of people in your community and around the world.
A Global Effort to Empower Global Opportunity
freeCodeCamp‘s mission has always been to empower people everywhere with the skills and knowledge they need to improve their lives. Translations are a critical next step in realizing that vision on a truly global scale.
As Quincy Larson put it, "By making these learning resources accessible to everyone, regardless of language or location, we‘re planting the seeds for a brighter, more prosperous future worldwide."
Already, the stories of lives transformed by freeCodeCamp translations are pouring in from Brazil to Bengal, Pakistan to Poland. With every new language and every new contributor, that impact multiplies.
This is a global challenge that requires a global solution. The freeCodeCamp community has already shown what‘s possible when dedicated volunteers unite across borders and boundaries to work towards a common goal.
Now, we invite you to join us. Whether you translate a single article or help manage an entire language, your contribution will help unlock opportunity for people who need it most.
Together, we can create a future where anyone, anywhere can access the power of technology to improve their life and the lives of those around them. All that stands in our way is language, and that‘s a barrier we can overcome together.
Ready to get started? Join the freeCodeCamp Translators chat room and say hello. Your journey to change lives globally starts today.