If Learning Languages is one of your goals, it is important to study a balance of the four major skills. Listening Speaking Reading and Writing are the main skills you need to communicate in any language. Being very good at only one of these skills will not help you to communicate. For example you need to be able to read well before you can write well. You also need to be able to listen before you can speak. It helps to think of these communicative skills in two groups. INput <<< Listening (in through your ears) Reading (in through your eyes) OUTput >>> Speaking (out through your mouth) Writing (out through your hand)

Let me append 'song listening and singing' to your list. My answer: greatly emphasize the activity you enjoy the most. Reason: that will make your synapses more active, speed up the learning process, and help adding up to the content of permanent memory . In some ways, inside that still mysterious brain, we actually are what we enjoy to be; aren't you a lucky guy ?

I like listening to music, so when I first started learning French I began with listening to French music. Listening to songs in French was (for me) a great way to not only enjoy the language but to also learn new vocabulary and improve my comprehension. I then tried to read song lyrics, children’s stories and blogs. I didn’t understand all that much at first, but I just wanted to get used to reading things in French. While doing this, I was also studying the language (i.e. grammar). Later, I began to practice how to write short sentences. My next step was to practice how to speak. Right now, I'm still working on the speaking part. =)

It's simple. Think of it this way. First you have input. Next you have output. First you listen to someone ask you a question. Second you speak and give them your answer. First you read a letter from someone. After that you write back to them. These are examples of communicating. Input and output don't necessarily go in a specific order. Sometimes you speak first and then you listen. Sometimes you write about something you hear. During communication, the person you are communicating with uses one of the opposite skills. Therefore, in order to understand each other, everyone must be skillful in all four areas in these orders.

Balanced learning method is if you can learn those all three things(speaking, reading and writing) at the same time.... but if you want to give them an order....I encourage you to start from "speaking". When you speak to people, your "listening skill" will improve simultaneously. At the same time, you will have more motivation to read(or write) in this language you are interested in. If you intend to use this lanuguage in your profession or educational purpose. It's essential to improve in writing(or reading)....but otherwise, why not having a good conversation with people,and practice your speaking skill first? In my case, I started from "speaking skill". I put myself in the Backpacker's hostel,and tried to speak in English everyday(24/7) for 4 months. I listened to the radio whenever I could,and copied what they said on the radio. Then when I gained enough confidence for speaking in English, I bought some books to learn "writing and reading". "Enjoy your time while you are learning other language" is the essence you need, the most! Best of luck!