learn better spanish

I just returned from Puerto Rico, and I’m convinced living there would be the absolute most perfect way for me to learn to speak better. And I could become a better surfer at Rincon. ;)

I already know a lot of Spanish but, I would like to make it better so that I can travel to see my friends in Latin America. I owuld also like to adopt children from Latin America as well.

Well, I grew up with Spanish around me.
So English and Spanish came hand in hand when I was little.
I can speak it and read it and write it.
Okay, well I can’t do the last two very well, but I can manage and pass by.
All I really want to do is learn more and speak it better.
People say I’m fluent.
And when I visit my family in Mexico, I can just walk around town, and get on a bus and go to the mall and do whatever.
Everythings all fine.
It’s just I get stares because I have that thick American accent that Mexicans can hear.
I don’t hear it until I’m around my family in Mexico.
Ah.
I can learn. I know I can do it.

It’s just the matter of actually trying.

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I can read Spanish pretty well and get the gyst of a Spanish conversation (with a headache)...but I want to be able to participate easily in conversation. One of my biggest problems is lacking the balls to just try to hold down a conversation. I believe this springs from perfectionism, if I’m not sure it’s right, then I don’t say anything at all.

I have a very basic bar spanish vocabulary, a bit beyond un cervaza por favor, but not much. My french is decent. Reasonable vocabulary. Good sight reading ability.

But not enough spoken in either.

Suggestions?