I agree with both ballgunner and mojo. Get an ARF to learn, not nearly as much emotional attachment when you crash it (and you WILL). A Senior is a great trainer, or a Telemaster, if you want to build a kit, both are basic stick-and-panel kits (Senior ARF has ailerons, kit doesn't), or an LT-40 is a good plane also, a bit smaller.

The Butterfly is an awesome glider trainer, though. One of our club members built one, took out the polyhedral in the wing, powers it with a .20. It climbs like a U-2 and will go out of sight if you let it. He shuts the engine off when he gets to altitude, can glide for over 30 minutes