You're learning linux the same way most everyone else has-install it and use it.
One of the best ways of doing so is to install linux on an unused computer, if you don't like it or muck something up just reinstall or try a different distro.
Or if you have a fast computer you can try virtualbox or virualPC, then there's dual booting where you partition your hard drive and install linux onto an unused partition.
Since you dove in head first your best bet would be to fined yourself a local LUG linux user group. Lurk around for a few days before asking questions.