From your post it seems that he has interest/enthusiasm, that is the basic ingredient, then introduce perlmonks.org to him.
Because when I entered perlmonks(got here via google) I had only very little programming experience and a little english, I was comfortable looking at Q&A, tutorials, SOPW ... Now I feel that I have progressed.(but still a long way to go).
perlmonks and the community is really great...
Vivek
-- In accordance with the prarabdha of each, the One whose function it is to ordain makes each to act. What will not happen will never happen, whatever effort one may put forth. And what will happen will not fail to happen, however much one may seek to prevent it. This is certain. The part of wisdom therefore is to stay quiet.