what is the best way to say, "May I practice my Spanish, please?"
I want to be polite and ask someone to allow me to practice speaking spanish with them, such as at a cafe. What is the best way to ask? Is it,
¿Puedo practicar mi Español, por favor?
Thanks,
7 Answers
I would simply speak to the person in Spanish. If it's a wait-person in a Spanish-speaking restaurant or cafe, they will usually respond in Spanish if you initiate in that language.
If you are eager to speak Spanish with others face to face, and you know they already speak Spanish, if you just begin speaking it, they will respond in kind. That's what I do at our local Mexican restaurant, and they are happy to respond to me in Spanish. They are a little surprised at first when I start speaking Spanish, because clearly I am "gringa", so sometimes I say, "Necesito practicar mi español". Usually they will be happy to oblige.
This question comes up with some regularity. The issue is not grammatical (how to ask for permission) but social (should you ask for permission). Having said that, I agree entirely with Julian and AmyKay, Don't ask, just address them in Spanish!
If your level is intermediate/advanced, the person will probably simply appreciate not having to make the effort to speak English/whatever. If your level is beginner, they will recognize that immediately (from your pronunciation/hesitations/etc.) and respond in the language that they think is most likely to provide for good communication.
Waiters do not get paid to carry on extended conversations with customers (much less, give language lessons). At the same time, their tips depend on the goodwill of the customers. No sensible waiter wants to antagonize customers but any sensible waiter realizes that time/attention must be apportioned among the clients (unless it's a really slow night).
If you just order (or ask for information) in Spanish, the waiter can (assuming that the meaning is clear) simply respond in English/Spanish (as seems more convenient). When, however, you explicitly ask for permission to practice your Spanish, you put the waiter in the position of having to explicitly refuse/agree to a request from a customer. This is a form of blackmail (psychological coercion).
Over the years, I've had occasion to eat in many kinds of restaurants. On the whole, in Spanish, French and Japanese restaurants, I usually insist on speaking Spanish, French of Japanese (and, if need be, I simply ignore the preferences of the waiter {very selfish of me, I know]). In Italian restaurants, I usually use an ersatz mix of the (small) amount of Italian that I know, supplemented by Spanish. This often works, but when it doesn't, I revert to English (when in America). Of course, when in Italy, I simply have to make do with my "broken" Italian.
For a number of years, my brother and I ate in a neighborhood Italian restaurant (with some regularity) which employed a large number of Eastern Europeans. We always questioned the staff about "how to say ..." in Slovakian, Serbo, Croatian, Polish, or whatever. They were always most accommodating but the fact that we were regulars was undoubtedly a factor.
Por favor, me gustaría practicar espñol con usted? Please, I would like to practice spanish with you? Real translation is, please, it would please me to practice with you. Then end in saying, qué le vaya bien, may it go well for you. Everyone like it when you wish them well. You could also say, bien día, good day, instead. Buen suerte, good luck!
Hi Gary,
If you say "Puedo practicar mi Español, por favor" you are basically asking if you are able to practise your Spanish. This will probably make the other person frown, but they will also realise you need practice 
.
I would suggest using "Le importa si hablamos Español, quisiera practicarlo" = Do you mind if we speak Spanish, I would like to practice it. I'm sure there are many different ways to ask and that a native speaker might suggest something different so hang on and wait to see what other replies you get.
Saludos, Chica
hola yo estoy dispuesto a practicar tu español soy peruano, podemos practicar por chat o por messenger mi correo es peru141@hotmail.co estoy en linea desde las 7 pm es hora de new york, sólo agregenme y estaré allí.
