Thinking Algorithmically > Learning new Languages.

Any programming language you pick up has a small generic framework in common. The elements of the framework are
1. What are primitive elements eg. Integers
2. How can you put them together, so that you can build bigger things eg operations 4 + 5
3. What are the means of abstraction eg functions, classes etc.

If you are familiar with any one programing language then map the syntax of that programming language to this and create a cheat sheet of your own. This will help you a lot to learn quickly as far as language syntax is concerned.

But programming is more then mere syntax, it about the way to think about solving a problem.
I would recommend you to think of a dummy project say making a scientific calculator, even that could teach you a lot and when you write a function just think if that was the best way you could have written it. What you will develop doing the same is how could you think algorithmically which I believe is more important…

Hope this helps…