Speaking a foreign language in a classroom is one thing, but living in a society where you have to use this language on a daily basis is completely different.

You might not understand the local accent right away. Regional accents vary greatly in the United States. Give yourself time to get used to the local accent, and in time you will probably find yourself speaking in the same way.

Americans might not understand you right away. You will also have your own accent and you might use a different vocabulary. Try to speak slowly at first to make sure you are understood. Do not be shy to ask others to speak slowly if you have trouble understanding them.

Give yourself time to adapt to the language and do not hesitate to ask people to repeat what they have said, speak slowly, or explain what they mean. It would be wise to carry a small dictionary with you in case of emergency. Most importantly, do not be afraid to make mistakes. This will all be part of your learning experience.

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