Apologizing for Your Spanish

You let someone know your Spanish is limited and ask them to be patient with you.

You
Disculpe, mi español no es muy bueno. ¿Habla un poco más despacio, por favor?
dees-KOOL-peh, mee ehs-pah-NYOL noh ehs mooy BWEH-noh. AH-blah oon POH-koh mahs dehs-PAH-syoh, por fah-VOR?
Sorry, my Spanish isn't very good. Can you speak a little slower, please?
This is one of the most useful phrases you can learn. People will always appreciate the effort and gladly slow down.
Local
¡No te preocupes! Hablas muy bien. Te entiendo perfecto.
noh teh preh-oh-KOO-pehs! AH-blahs mooy byehn. teh ehn-TYEHN-doh per-FEHK-toh.
Don't worry! You speak very well. I understand you perfectly.
Latin Americans are overwhelmingly encouraging when visitors try to speak Spanish. Expect lots of compliments on your effort.
You
Gracias por la paciencia. Estoy aprendiendo todavía.
GRAH-syahs por lah pah-SYEHN-syah. ehs-TOY ah-prehn-DYEHN-doh toh-dah-VEE-ah.
Thanks for the patience. I'm still learning.
"Estoy aprendiendo" (I'm learning) always gets a warm response. People love to help you practice.
Local
Así se aprende, practicando. ¡Tú sigue!
ah-SEE seh ah-PREHN-deh, prahk-tee-KAHN-doh. too SEE-geh!
That's how you learn, by practicing. Keep it up!
"¡Tú sigue!" means "you keep going!" — a common encouragement. You will hear this kind of support often.