Coding Python With Confidence: Beginners Live Course Participants
<p>Are you looking for that solid foundation to begin your Python journey? Would the accountability of scheduled group classes help you get through the basics and start building something? This week, two members of the Python for Beginners live course discuss their experiences.</p>
<p>We speak with course instructor Stephen Gruppetta about building a course where the participants start using their knowledge as soon as possible. He describes how he’s evolved his teaching techniques over years of working with beginners. We explore the advantages of having a curated collection of written tutorials, video courses, and a forum for asking those nagging questions.</p>
<p>We also speak with students Louis and Andrew about their experiences learning Python through the course. They discuss learning how to apply their new skills, employing them in their careers, and building confidence to continue their Python learning journey.</p>
<div class="alert alert-primary" role="alert">
<p><strong>Spotlight:</strong> <a href="https://realpython.com/workshops/python-for-beginners/">Python for Beginners: Code With Confidence</a></p>
<p>Learn the fundamentals of Python step-by-step in a friendly, interactive cohort. Build confidence writing code and understand the “why” behind Python’s core concepts.</p>
</div>
<p>Topics:</p>
<ul>
<li>00:00:00 – Introduction</li>
<li>00:01:40 – Instructor Stephen Gruppetta</li>
<li>00:02:42 – Designing the course</li>
<li>00:09:01 – Introducing mini-projects early</li>
<li>00:13:22 – How have the questions changed for Python beginners?</li>
<li>00:20:23 – Taking advantage of Real Python resources</li>
<li>00:24:07 – More courses for 2026</li>
<li>00:25:40 – Spotlight: Python for Beginners</li>
<li>00:26:39 – Python for Beginners participants</li>
<li>00:27:50 – Louis’ background in programming</li>
<li>00:30:46 – Andrew’s background in programming</li>
<li>00:37:43 – Starting to use the knowledge with mini-projects</li>
<li>00:42:52 – What were challenges with the language?</li>
<li>00:54:15 – Working on the larger final project</li>
<li>00:59:45 – What advantages did the cohort-style course provide?</li>
<li>01:03:56 – Are you ready for that blank page?</li>
<li>01:12:00 – How do you see yourself using these new skills?</li>
<li>01:17:39 – Thanks and goodbye</li>
</ul>
<p>Show Links:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/workshops/python-for-beginners/">Python for Beginners: Code With Confidence – Real Python</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/podcasts/rpp/246/">Episode #246: Learning Intermediate Python With a Deep Dive Course</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/workshops/intermediate-deep-dive/">Intermediate Python Deep Dive Course – Real Python</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/live/">Cohort-Based Live Python Courses – Real Python</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.theregister.com/2025/12/16/mi6_chief_well_be_as/">MI6 chief: We’ll be as fluent in Python as we are in Russian - The Register</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Level up your Python skills with our expert-led courses:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/courses/setting-up-python/">Python Basics: Setting Up Python</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/courses/python-basics-first-program/">Python Basics: Code Your First Python Program</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/courses/python-basics-lists-tuples/">Python Basics: Lists and Tuples</a></li>
</ul> <p><a rel="payment" href="https://realpython.com/join">Support the podcast & join our community of Pythonistas</a></p>
Advice on Beginning to Learn Python
<p>What’s changed about learning Python over the last few years? What new techniques and updated advice should beginners have as they start their journey? This week on the show, Stephen Gruppetta and Martin Breuss return to discuss beginning to learn Python.</p>
<p>We share techniques for finding motivation, building projects, and learning the fundamentals. We provide advice on installing Python and not obsessing over finding the perfect editor. We also examine incorporating LLMs into learning to code and practicing asking good questions.</p>
<p>Stephen shares details about our upcoming eight-week live course, <a href="https://realpython.com/workshops/python-for-beginners/">Python for Beginners: Code With Confidence</a>. Check out <a href="https://realpython.com/live"><strong>realpython.com/live</strong></a> to learn more and reserve your spot.</p>
<div class="alert alert-primary" role="alert">
<p><strong>Course Spotlight:</strong> <a href="https://realpython.com/courses/python-beginner-tips/">11 Beginner Tips for Learning Python</a></p>
<p>In this course, you’ll see several learning strategies and tips that will help you jumpstart your journey towards becoming a successful Python programmer.</p>
</div>
<p>Topics:</p>
<ul>
<li>00:00:00 – Introduction</li>
<li>00:02:36 – Martin’s teaching background</li>
<li>00:02:57 – Stephen’s teaching background</li>
<li>00:04:07 – Having a vested interest in learning</li>
<li>00:08:35 – No shortcut to learning the fundamentals</li>
<li>00:09:21 – Parallels to learning a foreign language</li>
<li>00:12:43 – What’s different about starting to learn Python now?</li>
<li>00:15:03 – Stephen’s journey to coaching and using LLMs</li>
<li>00:16:20 – Are LLMs helpful for learning?</li>
<li>00:18:50 – Teaching what you’ve learned to someone else</li>
<li>00:19:38 – Learning how to ask good questions</li>
<li>00:22:11 – Improved error messages</li>
<li>00:24:35 – REPL: Read Evaluate Print Loop</li>
<li>00:26:33 – Video Course Spotlight</li>
<li>00:27:48 – Installing Python and choosing an editor</li>
<li>00:35:16 – Considering the scale of beginner projects</li>
<li>00:37:39 – Should a beginner be concerned with making Pythonic code?</li>
<li>00:40:55 – Using LLM tools and defining your level of skill</li>
<li>00:42:39 – Python for Beginners: Code With Confidence - live course</li>
<li>00:47:32 – Looking at projects - Awesome Python</li>
<li>00:48:02 – Asking an LLM to explain the code generated</li>
<li>00:50:46 – Debuggers and seeing code run</li>
<li>00:51:23 – Thanks and goodbye</li>
</ul>
<p>Show Links:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/workshops/python-for-beginners/">Python for Beginners: Code With Confidence</a>: Real Python’s intensive Python training program with live expert instruction</li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/python-beginner-tips/">11 Beginner Tips for Learning Python Programming – Tutorial</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/podcasts/rpp/4/">Episode #4: Learning Python Through Errors</a></li>
<li><a href="https://automatetheboringstuff.com/">Automate the Boring Stuff with Python</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.python.org/downloads/">Download Python - Python.org</a></li>
<li><a href="https://code.visualstudio.com/">Visual Studio Code - Code Editing Redefined</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/python312-error-messages/">Python 3.12 Preview: Ever Better Error Messages – Real Python</a></li>
<li><a href="https://claude.com/product/claude-code">Claude Code - Claude</a></li>
<li><a href="https://backonthetrack.substack.com/">Back on the Track - Stephen Gruppetta</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/courses/exploring-scopes-and-closures-in-python/">Exploring Scopes and Closures in Python – Video Course</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/courses/writing-idiomatic-python/">Writing Idiomatic Python – Video Course</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/podcasts/rpp/71/">Episode #71: Start Using a Debugger With Your Python Code</a></li>
<li><a href="https://github.com/vinta/awesome-python?tab=readme-ov-file">awesome-python: An opinionated list of awesome Python frameworks, libraries, software and resources</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Level up your Python skills with our expert-led courses:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/courses/python-beginner-tips/">11 Beginner Tips for Learning Python</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/courses/python-basics-first-program/">Python Basics: Code Your First Python Program</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/courses/exploring-scopes-and-closures-in-python/">Exploring Scopes and Closures in Python</a></li>
</ul> <p><a rel="payment" href="https://realpython.com/join">Support the podcast & join our community of Pythonistas</a></p>
Building New Structures for Learning Python
<p>What are the new ways we can teach and share our knowledge about Python? How can we improve the structure of our current offerings and build new educational resources for our audience of Python learners? This week on the show, Real Python core team members Stephen Gruppetta and Martin Breuss join us to discuss enhancements to the site and new ways to learn Python.</p>
<p>Stephen has recently joined the team, bringing years of online training expertise. He discusses our new offering of <a href="https://realpython.com/workshops/intermediate-deep-dive/">cohort-based courses</a>, which combine live expert instruction, hands-on exercises, and a supportive community.</p>
<p>Martin has been busy leading the effort to create quizzes for our written tutorials to test your knowledge and Python skills. He’s also restructuring the learning paths to provide a more consistent way to navigate your journey learning Python.</p>
<p>Stephen is currently working on new Real Python books. These books will be collections of our tutorials based on specific Python topics and edited to provide a more structured learning experience. The first book, which covers object-oriented programming in Python, will be available in the next few months.</p>
<p>This episode is sponsored by Sentry.</p>
<div class="alert alert-primary" role="alert">
<p><strong>Course Spotlight:</strong> <a href="https://realpython.com/courses/handling-preventing-errors-lbyl-eafp/">Handling or Preventing Errors in Python: LBYL vs EAFP</a></p>
<p>In this video course, you’ll explore two popular coding styles in Python: Look Before You Leap (LBYL) and Easier to Ask Forgiveness than Permission (EAFP). These approaches help you handle errors and exceptional situations in your code effectively. You’ll dive into the key differences between LBYL and EAFP and learn when to use each one.</p>
</div>
<p>Topics:</p>
<ul>
<li>00:00:00 – Introduction</li>
<li>00:02:29 – What Stephen has been up to</li>
<li>00:03:31 – What’s new for Martin</li>
<li>00:04:07 – Bringing on new team members</li>
<li>00:06:09 – Cohort-based courses</li>
<li>00:19:25 – Sponsor: Sentry</li>
<li>00:20:27 – Restructured and new learning paths</li>
<li>00:30:50 – Video Course Spotlight</li>
<li>00:32:19 – New Real Python Books</li>
<li>00:38:57 – A destination for learning</li>
<li>00:40:46 – Quizzes for tutorials and courses </li>
<li>00:44:58 – Video courses and updating content</li>
<li>00:47:52 – Code Mentor</li>
<li>00:49:45 – Code challenges </li>
<li>00:51:06 – Thanks and goodbye</li>
</ul>
<p>Show Links:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/workshops/intermediate-deep-dive/">Cohort Course - Intermediate Python Deep Dive</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/learning-paths/">Python Learning Paths</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/products/books/">Python Books by Real Python</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/quizzes/">Python Quizzes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/community/">Join the Real Python Community Chat</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/mentor/">Code Mentor: Intelligent Learning Tools</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/office-hours/">Office Hours – Real Python</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blog.sentry.io/debugging-python-with-vs-code-and-sentry/">Debugging Python with VS Code and Sentry - Product Blog - Sentry</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/team/mbreuss/">About Martin Breuss – Real Python</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/team/sgruppetta/">About Stephen Gruppetta – Real Python</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Level up your Python skills with our expert-led courses:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/courses/handling-preventing-errors-lbyl-eafp/">Handling or Preventing Errors in Python: LBYL vs EAFP</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/courses/using-raise-for-effective-exceptions/">Using raise for Effective Exceptions</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/courses/python-basics-exercises-scopes/">Python Basics Exercises: Scopes</a></li>
</ul> <p><a rel="payment" href="https://realpython.com/join">Support the podcast & join our community of Pythonistas</a></p>
Embarking on a Relaxed and Friendly Python Coding Journey
<p>Do you get stressed while trying to learn Python? Do you prefer to build small programs or projects as you continue your coding journey? This week on the show, Real Python author Stephen Gruppetta is here to talk about his new book, “The Python Coding Book.”</p>
<p>Stephen has been teaching Python to adults and children for many years. With his new book, he wants to share the relaxed and friendly learning environment he’s developed. We discuss using analogies to explain programming concepts and constructing complete programs as chapter goals. </p>
<p>Over the last year, Stephen focused on writing. He started his newsletter, The Python Coding Stack, wrote more tutorials for Real Python and authored the book. </p>
<p>This episode is sponsored by Mailtrap.</p>
<div class="alert alert-primary" role="alert">
<p><strong>Course Spotlight:</strong> <a href="https://realpython.com/courses/python-basics-first-program/">Python Basics: Code Your First Python Program</a></p>
<p>In this video course, you’ll write your first Python program. Along the way, you’ll learn about errors, declare variables and inspect their values, and try your hand at writing comments.</p>
</div>
<p>Topics:</p>
<ul>
<li>00:00:00 – Introduction</li>
<li>00:02:32 – Education and programming background</li>
<li>00:05:50 – Developing a teaching style</li>
<li>00:10:36 – A friendly and relaxed programming book</li>
<li>00:14:31 – Making mistakes</li>
<li>00:18:29 – Sponsor: Mailtrap</li>
<li>00:19:03 – What was your curation process like?</li>
<li>00:21:22 – First chapter building an actual program</li>
<li>00:25:08 – Glossary terms and exercises</li>
<li>00:27:48 – Why feature an IDE?</li>
<li>00:34:07 – Monty and the White Room analogy</li>
<li>00:37:46 – What, no turtle?</li>
<li>00:42:21 – Video Course Spotlight</li>
<li>00:44:00 – Shift toward teaching</li>
<li>00:46:50 – Teaching adults and children</li>
<li>00:51:23 – Python sequences tutorial</li>
<li>00:53:48 – Building community and social media</li>
<li>00:58:12 – What are you excited about in the world of Python?</li>
<li>01:00:49 – What do you want to learn next?</li>
<li>01:03:07 – Thanks and goodbye</li>
</ul>
<p>Show Links:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://thepythoncodingbook.com/">Learn Python Coding - The Python Coding Book</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thepythoncodingstack.com/p/reflection-one-year-anniversary-gruppetta-python">Rambling Reflections - Twelve Months of The Python Coding Stack</a></li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Writing:_A_Memoir_of_the_Craft">On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft - Stephen King - Wikipedia</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/podcasts/rpp/4/">Episode #4: Learning Python Through Errors – The Real Python Podcast</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/build-python-turtle-game-space-invaders-clone/">Build a Python Turtle Game: Space Invaders Clone – Real Python</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/python-sequences/">Python Sequences: A Comprehensive Guide – Real Python</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.manning.com/books/django-in-action">Django in Action</a></li>
<li><a href="https://thepythoncodingplace.com/">The Python Coding Place – The Place to Learn Python</a></li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/s_gruppetta_ct">Stephen Gruppetta (@s_gruppetta_ct) / X</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Level up your Python skills with our expert-led courses:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/courses/setting-up-python/">Python Basics: Setting Up Python</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/courses/python-turtle-beginners/">Python Turtle for Beginners</a></li>
<li><a href="https://realpython.com/courses/python-basics-first-program/">Python Basics: Code Your First Python Program</a></li>
</ul> <p><a rel="payment" href="https://realpython.com/join">Support the podcast & join our community of Pythonistas</a></p>