I started learning compiled languages before scripting languages. Thats the best way to do it. If your a PHP programmer going into C or C++ your gonna have a bit of a struggle! But if its the other way round then its no problem. I've been professionally programming for 15 years, and being honest, the only language I don't know, or very limited on knowledge is Assembler. I hate to boast but there nothing I can't do in programming. If your as enthusiastic as me in Software Engineering then it won't take long for you to learn a new language. Again... It all depends on your enthusiasm.