[mc3301]

Students with a goal to be able to speak and listen to Japanese should still learn hiragana, even if they have zero goals or need for reading. Understanding the building blocks that map out each "sound" in Japanese is not only beneficial but, in my experience, necessary if one wants their Japanese to "sound" Japanese enough for clear communications with native speakers. Yes, a learner could do without it, but a few weeks of study (ymmv) to grasp Hiragana is totally worth it.