I prefer that the list be in order of most commonly used. That way you can set smaller goals like memorize the top 100 most used words, then the top 500 most used words, and then the top 1000 most used words, etc.

http://www.ingilish.com/2000mostcommonwords.htm Here is a more simple list.

I agree with Pan. I visited ESL classes at my college, and multiple instructors followed a list of the 2000 most commonly used words in the English language. http://www.scribd.com/doc/268447/The-GSL-the-2000-Most-Commonly-Used-Words-in-the-English-Language Here is a link to those words. If you scroll down, the words are listed next to how many times they were used when counted. Movies and verbal or chat message partners are highly recommended. Face-to-face language exchanges are even more recommended. Movies use a lot of common dialogue/slang in American English. Practice a lot, but not so much that it becomes stressful. It should stay fun, or else it will become too much work to learn! ^^

Memorize the top 2000 most commonly used words in English. Memorize basic English conversational phrases. Listen and read along side English books on CD. Watch lots American movies in English. Chat with people online in private conversations.