For the beginner programmer who wants to learn about OOP more rapidly, I'd have to say you should go with Java and then tweak your skills toward C++. Both languages are pretty much equal in terms of difficulty and syntax, but learning Java first would likely help you wrap your mind around the whole OOP concept much quicker I think.
I know I had a terrible time with understanding what the fuss was with OOP at first... and I sorta started understanding it while using C++, but then I learned Java and it just sorta hit me like a brilliant blinding flash. I still like C++ more... because it just tends to be a faster and more efficient language and is more supported among development communities, but I do have some respect for Java these days as a learning aid if nothing else.
And hell yes to what Ogtrax said about it happening in clicks. Especially OOP.
And a word of warning, Game Programming classes and schools are a piss-poor way to get your marketable skillset for game development. Most successful game programmers already in the industry are either Computer Science or Computer Engineering majors while the higher-up developers tend to be geared more towards business but often still have the whole computer science/engineering background. Those lame schools like Full Sail/Digipen and crap though... those guys are just a waste of time.
Oh, and Mark, most teachers and professionals say that learning something like BASIC first is only a good way to develop bad habbits... and their simplicity comes at a price later. And beyond the most extremely basic concepts of programming, BASIC really isn't good for much of anything... and while VB is somewhat more useful applicationwise... its still considered mostly just fun and games.