Postby rodney » February 4th, 2010 11:45 am
This happens to me too, and I speak decent Spanish. It doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem with your Spanish.
Tell them (in Spanish) that you're learning and you'd like to practice your Spanish:
Estoy aprendiendo español y me gustaría hablar en español porque necesito practicar, si no te importa.
I'm learning Spanish and I'd to speak in Spanish because I need the practice, if you don't mind.
Try a funny response. Be sure to smile and laugh so they know you're joking:
Está contestandome en ingles porque mi español suena feo?
Are you answering me in English because my Spanish sounds bad?
If they're responding to you with the correct answers, then your Spanish is at least good enough for them to understand. You're still practicing, even if they don't respond in Spanish.
Really, just be persistant. People will respond the way they respond, but don't let them stop or discourage you from speaking Spanish.