Apex itself is based on Java, but the syntax and some classes aside from the programming style are completely different in nature, since it is more like web development than stand-alone application development.
Also, even though Eclipse is the preferred SDK, you don’t actually use it as anything more than an illustrious text editor, and one where autocomplete, etc. regularly fail. This will help you practice coding, and experience is always one of the best teachers, but with regard to overall application development, the amount of help he will provide is limited.
Greetings
Matt