I take the counter-intuitive approach of actually trying to make as many mistakes as possible! Of
course, never intentionally, and always attempting to be aware of these. The mistake can be a very useful tool for showing you what you need to work on, but if you spit it out with no consideration of how you could say it better next time, then you may end up speaking this hybrid
language permanently.
Mistakes in vocabulary can be reduced by learning more words through exposure and study (examples of how mentioned in a later section), but mistakes in grammar may be fossilised if you are too lazy to drill them out of you once you have reached a more comfortable level of fluency.
Getting corrections at this stage can be very helpful – I explain below how I convince natives to
listen to and help me. However, getting too many corrections in the early stages is not so helpful
beyond serious mistakes. In the first stages you need to get into the flow of speaking, even if you
are speaking incorrectly.
The thing to remember about grammar mistakes is that a lot of grammar rule differences are only really helpful for tidying up the language and speaking it correctly.
If you use the wrong definite
article gender, adjective ending, or sentence order, it may sound strange; but as long as you speak clearly and confidently, the other person will understand you.
Communication should always be the most important goal.
SUMMARY:
Mistakes are a necessary part of learning a language. Don’t worry about making them – if you
make no mistakes then you are making no progress!
I couldn't agree any further! Really inspired at this. Because sometimes I know that making mistakes are natural and all, but on the other hand it makes me look pathetic. But in the end, I'd rather have made a thousand mistakes than to regret never making any. :) It really clears up a lot of my doubts reading this.
Oh yeah, I should mention that "how I convince natives to listen and help me" sounds a lot more natural than saying "listen to." And you might want to reword the sentence after that one to "however, getting too many corrections in the early stages are not helpful beyond serious mistakes." I think it's grammatically proper that way, it's just a gut feeling.