Say you're trying to learn Spanish (or German or French, etc.). I have a tip for you. (Aren't you lucky?) When I lived in California, I was not only a lifeguard but a swimming instructor. You don't learn to swim from a book. You get wet.
And please don't apologize for not being able to speak the language perfectly. Don't say, "I don't speak Spanish very well. Feel free to correct me if I make a mistake." Don't go there. It will become apparent to others if you speak well or not. Just spit out your best Spanish, and if people are confused they'll let you know.
Nobody is perfect, especially when you're just starting out. I make a lot of mistakes in Spanish (sorry, Spanish), but I will NOT stop communicating in Spanish because it always helps me to learn new things.
So jump in, get your feet wet, and start talking. The water's fine.
