>>Any thoughts welcome.
>
>I would definitely go C#... it has more and better code examples... all the "pros" use it, etc. etc.
>
>Also, VB isn't trending well:
>http://www.tiobe.com/index.php/paperinfo/tpci/%28Visual%29_Basic.html
>
>compare to C#:
>http://www.tiobe.com/index.php/paperinfo/tpci/C_.html
>
>
>If you're learning a new language from scratch you might also consider Java. With Java you have built-in cross-compatibility between Windows/Macintosh/Linux. I'm not sure I'm willing to put all my eggs back in Microsoft's basket - they haven't earned it and I'm not so sure Windows is ever again going to be the dominant force it once was.

I think for future employment (if he is not going to be self-employed his whole life) he cannot go wrong with C# or Java...