Learn the Tagalog alphabet. Although the letters are the same familiar Latin letters all English speakers know, individual letters are pronounced differently. Not all letters used in English are also used in Tagalog.
Study how vowels and diphthongs work in Tagalog. Tagalog also uses a, e, i, o and u, in addition to diphthongs (vowel combinations) such as oy, uw, and iw.
Study Tagalog sentence structure. Typical simple sentences in the language state a predicate followed by the subject, which is the opposite order of English.
Learn basic, fundamental words, such as "si" and "ang," which address nouns or pronouns. "Ang" is used in reference to a person and has a respectful connotation.
Review other grammatical structures and practice forming simple words and phrases. Develop the words and phrases into cohesive sentences until you have a grasp of Tagalog writing.