> Erlang is also a great programming language to start programming with because it's so simple and based on existing mathematical knowledge that many beginners already have (functions).

I strongly disagree with that. Erlang is simple neither in semantics nor in syntax (good luck putting your . and ; in the right place when you are learning).

The tools are also extremely poor, starting with the compiler's own error messages. This is the last place you want to confuse beginners if you want them to have fun learning a language.