I mean, I wouldn't object to having compilers be mandatory. Out of the other side of my mouth, I like to say that a compiler has great properties for teaching a

I mean, I wouldn't object to having compilers be mandatory. Out of the other side of my mouth, I like to say that a compiler has great properties for teaching actual software engineering, e.g. managing complexity, dealing with changes (hey kids, we're adding a new syntax feature! Now we're adding closures!), while still teaching you that compilers aren't magic... so that's another approach I would endorse. At that level, you actually would want some formality, but you could add it gradually.