This study focuses on a variety of aspects of teaching programming which can connect the agenda of programming classes to foreign language learning and the broader scope of applied linguistics. In the domain of developing computer-assisted interactive tools for language learning, we can discover a number of interesting and non-trivial problems that can be suggested to students participating in programming classes. Specifically, this study reports an example from our project on the automatic generation of data series trend descriptions to accompany presentation graphs and charts. Originally designed for language learning purposes, this project can be revisited for possible applications as programming exercises that serve as vehicles for a problem-based learning approach to class organization. In general, we believe that through working on, and hopefully, solving practical problems students can apply the content studied in other classes. This application can significantly enhance the knowledge and skills students obtain in programming classes; and thus, improve their professional skill set.