The learning curve for me was huge too. I did my first layout in Dec. of '04 and then didn't touch or make another layout until June of '05. I needed more time to sit down and work. Once I got going I took off.
I have tried to teach one person who I teach with. She sat with me as I worked through showing her the layers, and how to do it but she just isn't too computer techie to begin with and was very overwhelmed!
I told her the best thing to do is to just sit down and try it all out! Learn by mistakes