^^^ aslong as you know how to setup correctly thats how everyone learnt not that long ago.Get a practice kite and you will pick it up no worries.
I taught my self, but i read as much as i could on the internet and used a practice kite, then a small (5m) lei before i got a big kite and board. I also made sure i talked to all the guys art the beach and got pointers off them. Real helpful. I reckon lessons are a good idea, but if you've got no other choice at the time why not teach yourself...
Total=4c now.
I remember my first lessons on Maui. Deep water, rocks, waves, me 100m out and the instructor standing at the beach, waving his arms like crazy. I had not clue what to do, tried to get up but made the same mistakes over and over again. Relaunching the kite alone in those conditions took forever. 20mins later I came in and the instructor corrected me.
In those conditions, that helmet would have been a huge bonus for sure!
Yeah those "lessons" were ridiculous. 6hrs (or even more?) of body dragging and relaunching. The spot wasn't ideal for beginners, but the main problem was that I was hanging out there forever with no clue what to do. The instructor's panic hand signals could mean anything from "good job" to "self rescue" over "shark attack"..
Once I even completely released the kite, because she did not stop her crazy gymnastics at the beach. Brought her a good swim 
