Being a software engineer for more then 6 years, I will suggest to any one looking to jump in programing don't go for any specific language Just opt basics learn basic concepts first like OOP concepts,data structures,operators and different terminologies used while programming, Once you know what is IF, ELSE, PUBLIC, PRIVATE, STATIC, SHARED, FOR , FOREACH, WHILE, terminators be it a ":" or "'", Different data types like STRING, DOUBLE and last but not least different types of application architectures like web based, desktop, background services, web services, Every language will be easy to learn for you if you what above things do.
To practice start with simple HTML and javascript as JS is not compiled language so it will always run even if you will make a mistake try to run a simple program in JS like getting input in two textboxes one for first name and second for last name and then combine both to output a complete name, From this you will get confidence believe me to a programmer nothing is more exciting than seeing the desired output. After this go for small utilities like try to go for a calculator and then go for a registration form and so on.After this go for any compiled language i will suggest VB.net or C# as they have cool IDEs and are easy to learn.
To get any help feel free to contact me.