Would the best way of learning php be to take a course, Ive never learnt a language before. And do you just learn it by using it or do you need to be taught. Where should I start basically?
By analyzing smaller scripts and seeing how they work. Learning the vocabulary. Keep trying 'til you succeed. http://pixel2life.com - Also has some nice php tutorials. I am trying to learn also.
different people learn in different ways. if you like being taught and having a strict schedule, etc, try to enroll in another computer science class first. you probably won't be able to take PHP-- it'll be something like java, most likely. but it'll give you the foundations you need to program. programming is pretty similar from one language to another, it's made up of the same components. an alternative way would be to perhaps buy a book on it to get you started, work on some projects, consult php.net and forums when you run into problems. it won't be as structured but it works. that's how I've learned more or less every language I've ever learned.