I do thing that learning to read and write will be a big part of learning the language...

I guess all you can do for now is to learn your basics like you are. Then start reading articles, books, and magazines. Watch Russian movies. Once you learn the basic phrases and grammar, move onto the harder stuff. Buy a grammar book. I suggest "Essentials of Russian Grammar" by Nicholas Maltzoff. Also, buy "501 Russian Verbs". These are the books I use most ofte, next to my dictionary (Harper Collins).

Hope that helps a bit.