Why break it down?
I don't care what computer language my work is in. I don't think it really matters as long as that language can do what the job entails. So you have to learn a new language, that takes what 2 days?
OK I hear a lot of you saying that's not reasonable and for some of you it might not be but if you already program in php then moving to asp with vb is simple. You program in C or C++ and Java is a very easy move. Pascal to Ada, picking up FORTRAN, someone wants Visual C# or they want the 3d in VRML. If you already know how to program in more than one language family picking up any other language should be a snap.
What i do, start with how do I write something to the console, or make a simple window and write hello. Then how to concat strings, then get user input, then store that input and write it to the screen (hello bob.) Then open a file and open a config file. Parse strings, do math, and write to a file.
Hey look your programming and you've learned the syntax and method structures. Probably already made a new class and you can make a useful program. At this point I usually write an editor.
Then start looking at what do I need to do to start doing the tasks for the application I need to write.
Up until this point that should have taken less than 4 hours if you have found a good reference site. For every new language the one over riding thing I always do is find a couple of good sites on the web with references, examples, api documentation. Then as I go i generally move to just using one but keep the other just in-case the one you chose doesn't cover everything.
Learning a new programming language should never be something to dread. If it is then don't avoid it but turn it into a quest that you do on the weekend. Make it fun somehow and push yourself. Once you get a couple of languages under your belt then each new one gets easier and more fun.
I know people who when they learn a new language implement their favorite game or at least part of their favorite game, enough to play a bit and say I did this. It gives you an accomplishment and makes all the hard work pay off personally. Even if your bosses don't seem to be impressed maybe you can impress your co-workers with some classic mudd action or a game of checkers.
Programming in itself is fun, the feedback is immediate and if you can say I write programs in all these languages that is impressive on a resume.
