Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing – which one is the most important?

All four of these skills, practiced at language lessons, serve many valuable purposes: they give learners scaffolded support, opportunities to think creatively, contexts in which to use the language for exchanges of real information (real life dialogues), evidence of their own ability (proof of learning) and, most important, confidence. However, can we highlight a particular skill which we can call ‘the most important’ one? – the answer is no! – all four skills are equally important in order to be proficient in a foreign language.
If you are a student with fluent speaking skills, you will often learn to read and write more quickly than a student who is less fluent, whereas a student who is a fast reader may learn speaking skills at a rapid rate because they have extended their vocabulary. Therefore, all four language skills hold equal importance because each can accelerate the development of another.
If you want to get good at a second language, whether it’s English or Russian, you will need to find ways to read, write, speak and listen as much as you can. This can be tricky, especially when you do not live a country where this language is spoken. Therefore, it is always better to have a good teacher who will help you create this language environment for you.
At each of my lessons we practise learnt vocabulary and grammar in texts, audios, live dialogues and essays. This will help you to learn how a language works overall.