Java is a good starting language not because Java is good, but because it covers a wide base of foundational concepts in programming. I personally feel that the

Java is a good starting language not because Java is good, but because it covers a wide base of foundational concepts in programming. I personally feel that the first language someone learns should both be strong typed and compiled. The reason is simply because I find the transition between [compiled -> interpreted] and [strong typed -> loosely typed] an easier transition to make than the inverse. In addition, learning a strongly typed language first gets students in the mindset of knowing what data structure their variable is in its current state. Java is strongly typed, a compiled language, and it's fairly easy to learn - all in all a good candidate for an educational language. The important thing to know here is that just because you learned Java doesn't mean you're a Java guy. If your teacher is worth his salt he'll quickly make you realize that the foundations that Java teaches can be ported to every language.