I'd also suggest, if you haven't already, to add the Japanese keyboard and IME to your computer, so you can write the kanji, hiragana and katakana directly into your computer. Simply go into your control panel >> regional and language options >> keyboards and languages >> change keyboard >> add and then simply select Japanese making sure to click the IME one :)

Hiragana and katakana. But, go with hiragana first. I'm still annoyed with katakana. Yea, you'll be able to find it if you do a google search.

Are you referring to the Chinese characters? If so, the best method is... Heisig: Remembering the Kanji. You might want to try "hiragana" first. Just google it.

others will advise you better so I wont now. if you need an audio sample for sentenses you made, please contact me.

What i did was go to google and look up hiragana alphabet, it has 48 symbols that each make a different sound. you print one sheet have and practice copying them as you say there sound,