[ohpauleez]

I also have had this thought - start people with very simple (C89) C and Scheme. When they learn data structures have them use C and scheme and show additional examples in class in Python/Java/JavaScript. When they take an AI class, they build the fundamentals in Lisp and see examples/ecosystem in Python. When they take some form of "Programming Languages" they get introduced to SML and see some Java+ANTLR. When they take Software Design I and II, they work in Java.

From that foundation, they'd have the exposure they need to expand out.

I also enjoyed the path my University took. You started with Java. Data Structures was in C++, Java, and Python. Operating Systems was in C. AI was in Common Lisp (with some examples in Java and Python). Programming Languages was in any language you wanted, but examples were mostly in C and SML (SML/NJ). Computer System Design was in HDL, Assembly, and C. Software Design I and II used Java. Requirements Elicitation and Specification used Z. Concurrent/Distributed systems I and II used Promela, SPIN, TLA, and code was in Java.