First of all use sites like this one which are aimed at language exchange, because the person you are talking to is "in the same boat". They want to learn your language and you want to learn their language. The vocabulary and grammar that they find difficult in your language is probably the same as the vocabulary and grammar that you find difficult in their language. They should speak slowly and clearly in their language just as you should do in your language.

Second, realize that you have to leave your "comfort zone" to progress. Babies fall over many times when they learn to walk, but when they achieve it WOW !!!! It opens up a whole new world. So to get out of your comfort zone do like babies do and keep trying little steps. When you see a foreigner in your country looking at a map, just go and ask "can I help - where do you want to get to". If you see a foreigner in a shop or restaurant having difficulty then help them by intervening in your language and starting up a little conversation in English.

Finally, speak loudly and clearly. When someone is shy and not confident in speaking a foreign language they tend to talk very quietly, because they are embarrassed about others hearing their mistakes. The problem is that the other person might not be able to PHYSICALLY hear what you say even though it may be said perfectly. They ask you to repeat it and that knocks your confidence because you think you made a mistake, but had not. I think this is a particular issue for women from South East Asia, who talk quietly in any case - it's a cultural issue. However I have noticed the same thing with myself, until I realized that I must deliberately talk loudly in the foreign language.

Chau, you just fixed this problem by yourself by speaking this in this public forum, well, not verbally but you did it anyway. So, just talk to them anything you like/want, don't focus more on your mistake because if you will do, then you can hardly speak anything even if you are capable of speaking. 

Giving you a simple example, if you want to say something like this "I go there with my friend yesterday". It is perfectly understood even if the verb(go) is not correctly used. But If you will consider each and every bit of your mistake in your sentence while speaking, then it will be a bit hard to maintain the flow. But, don't worry, as you speak more and more, these mistakes can automatically get corrected.

One more thing that I would like to tell you that whenever you are trying to speak in English, try not to think in your native language but to think in English because this is the thing that often works as a "speed breaker" in the flow to achieve fluency.

Lastly, to address the shyness problem: Never think "what will others think of me" if you'll do any mistake because the fact is that everyone does Mistake and no one is perfect. So never consider anyone as an example of perfection. This can surely boost your confidence by eliminating your shyness.

This is just my Opinion as a learner:)

Hi Chau ^_^

That is completely normal to feel shy and uncomfortable when speaking to a native speaker  of the language you are learning :). It's normal to have a long period of time where you forget words, make mistakes, pronounce things wrong etc. The key thing to remember is that its not a performance, if you are communicating, then you are doing great already! ^_^. Everyone who speaks a foreign language well had to go through this period too, so just relax and enjoy the conversations you are having :)

Hello,

I know exactly how you feel. I am a native English speaker living in Bangkok. I have been living here for 5 years, and my ability to speak Thai is still very limited. It is always easier to practice any language on a one to one.

If you try to address a group of people in their native language of course you will feel unconfident. 

But don't worry they will feel the same when the tables are turned. I know many Thais who are unwilling to practice speaking English unless they are in a group with other Thai speakers, or on a one to one basis.

Try to practice on a one to one, and your confidence will grow.