I think if you are actually trying to learn more than just a few traveller phrases then you should start with the ability to read the new language. I currently live in South Korea and I can read Korean fairly well, even though I do not always know what the words are that I am sounding out. It makes learning the spoken language so much easier and surprises the locals when you ask them to write out, in Korean, the new word they are trying to teach you. It is not always easy to hear the word but if you can read it and see what they are trying to say then you will get a better grasp of the langauge. Dual language road signs have been my best friend in this effort as I can practice as I drive to work and back.

Learning a new langauga can be tough but learning a new langauge with a new alphabet is something else entirely.