Looks more or less similar to my starting position, so a note or two...

1) Start in C or ASM in order person knows/preferres better. It will cut down learning process. When introduced with operating principles in a familiar fashion, it is easier to grasp them in other (not so fluent/preferred) language. I believe that person should know both of them, and use them to own judgement/liking.

2) Play with hardware A LOT. Make something easy like LED blinker (few lines in either C or ASM), small semaphore, 4x4 keyboard, RS232 echoer, and advance towards more complex hardware issues. Basic difference with programming mC and PC is that you are closer, much closer in contact with hardware. Really, there is not much difference with low (e.g. BIOS) level PC programming and mC IF you stick to programming part only. So if one would like to play with mC instead of PC then some LEDs are to be found :)

It is a rewarding experience being able to construct something :)

Best luck,
CN