I agree!
Any kind of programing background is wellcome.
MEL is very similar to C++,but you need some time and logic to learn it.
I dont konow why everyone is afraid of MEL,MEL will be yours best friend when you get to know him.
And really, its not as hard as some people talk about!
Personaly, I began learning MEL by scripting some coustum UI for characters.

Logic is the same but syntax are lil' different.
You have all the MEL commands and flags in Maya's help file!

And, get MelStudio plugin,this default console is very boring and gray!

Good luck!!!