If you can understand the the core ideas of data structures and how to manipulate them (Arrays, Loops, Conditionals, Objects etc.), and can put that understandi

If you can understand the the core ideas of data structures and how to manipulate them (Arrays, Loops, Conditionals, Objects etc.), and can put that understanding into practice to solve a problem, you really are 90% of the way there. Learning another language is easy, just try it :) Also a language like Python really is a breath of fresh air if your only experience is PHP.