I really don't think it's a bad idea to start playing poker tournaments, even if you are a beginner. Even though cash table and tournaments require very different strategies, I think that tournaments are a more safe environment for beginners. Also, I think it's a waste of time to play with play money. Users just don't care there, and he will not learn anything. Going for freerolls is the best approach. He will probably win something, and he can then just go for normal ones, or cash tables, and continuing to learn how to play the game, without risking his own money. If he is good enough, he should be able to build a bankroll, and go up through the limits without spending a dime.
It is better for newbies to play in tournaments if they are free ones. It is a good way to learn indeed, as people there tries to win seriously, even if they don't risk money. So it is much better to train against them instead of people that go all in every single bet.
