Short game is probably the
most important thing to learn and practice, but be sure that you get the fundamentals from your instructor. That way you are practicing the right things.
However, don't completely avoid playing on course until you are happy with your swing. Find a short course... a par 3 or an executive course. No amount of range work will prepare you for the lies and situations that you will face on the course. The whole tempo of the game is different in real course time than it is on the range. Don't worry about score, even if it means that you occasionally pick up your ball and carry up the the green area in order to keep pace. I am not a fan of the school of thought that says you stay off the course until you reach a certain level of expertise. There are courses for all levels of play... all you need to do is just find one and make use of it.
