Hi there! I live in the United States. I've lived in Ohio my whole life. Here's some advice to make you feel more confident about speaking a language other than your own.
1. Understand that it's okay to make mistakes. Mistakes are a part of learning. If someone laughs at you or is rude to you due to a simple language pronunciation error, ignore them. It's more of a reflection of their negative personality.
2. Talk to yourself. Yep. Read out loud foreign language sentences. Keep reading them until you can say them without hesitation or nervousness.
3. Think about your goal. Think about how accomplished you'll feel when you achieve your goal.
4. Reward small accomplishments along the way. Each word you can say clearly and without error is an achievement. Take it one step at a time. Be proud of each thing you learn rather than worry so much about the 'bigger picture'.
5. Believe in yourself and don't give up!
Good advice Alice.
I agree.
I have one suggestion to add.
"You may not be an advanced speaker of your second language, but you must always be proud of yourself because you are brave enough to try to speak another language, even if you make mistakes. Many people are too afraid to try."
I have another point to add,
Don't try to speak as fast as many native speakers and just speak as clearly and fluently as possible to make the listeners understand what you would like to express. Surely it is better to practice before you commence a formal presentation to be public.
