Not as important as being able to speak English in today's world. Now we have video everywhere, computers, software to translate, life is a piece of cake, who reads? We watch it on CNN and listen. If you can carry the conversation, you win every time. Unless you're a writer. Then the universe is upside down.

Very important like what happened right now in all part of the world

I don't think people who are able to speak (read, understand by hearing) good English can't write in English no matter speaking it as first or second language in 'today's world' since the ways of communication, getting information are already so advanced and convenient. Yeah unless you mean you want to be a writer or poet.

Hi... Very important like the rest of the skills... reading, speaking, listening and of course writing...

It is just as important as being able to speak English.