How does a foreigner supposed to switch languages and speak fluent tagalog?

I resent the way you say tagalog has a short vocabulary.

we have a doctor here, he's a jordanian but he speak tagalog fluently. he lived in Philippines for more than 10 years. if you have a filipina girlfriend and you want to speak tagalog fluently then ask her to teach you and no english is allowed if both of you are talking ^_^. another option is go to an institute where they teach tagalog or search for a tutor to teach you tagalog. anyway it's still 1 year since you lived in the philippines. you will learn soon, if you are really interested to speak tagalog... goodluck! ^_^

if you just wanted to speak tagalog fluently i suggest to take a tagalog class coz everything starts in learning you say that tagalog is a short vocabulary i dont think so coz it depends on the word you'll understand what im saying if you take a tagalog class i swear dont be confused if you want the language just do it that's all you can do (n_n) im filipino thats why i know

You do know that you do NOT have to speak Tagalog here? But you seem to be learning fast so don't worry about it as practice makes perfect.

CONGRATULATIONS FOR KNOWING OUR LANGUAGE .

I speak the language i've lived there for 19 years and i never forget, though i am living in europe longer than what i've lived in my former country whenever I visit the country, i cannot pick up my tongue rapidly I have to speak slowly in order to be understood by many. Some accuses me of being pretentious others just hates my guts whenever i speak tagalog due to european accent and because they want to have the same accent being in the Philippines. But concerning with your claim, don't feel desperate, filipinos are more desperate compare to you, that's the reason why many from birth when they can afford they fart higher than their a---s they'd rather speak foreign language like english just to be said, " oooh they speak english because they are rich" others say they speak english because they are snob etc etc. This is an eternal issue about the filipinos, they want to be someone and no one.Tjey are not nationalist, that's why their country is a good haven for those who wants to escape from their country, they take refuge in the Philippines, Chinese are the main ones to escape from their country of communist, half of the population of the Philippines mainly communist chinese.

Practice is the key. As you said, you are comfortable speaking in English and when you do try to speak Tagalog, you end up with an English accent. Don't let "sounding like an idiot" stop you from using the language. As you get used to speaking, your accent will gradually adjust. Since you already know most of the words, you just have to work harder on pronouncing. Whenever you are free, why don't you ask someone to converse with you in Tagalog? Try repeating his/her sentences in the same accent.

Firstly, you should be proud that you are learning the language. That makes you an anomaly among foreigners there--but a good anomaly. Because your drive to learn earns you the respect of the country's EDUCATED masses. Those who laugh at you or scoff at your attempts are ignorant IDIOTS practicing crab mentality and should be ignored. Secondly, don't let a persistent accent hinder you. Remember it is the tone, content and context of your words that matter--not how stylish it sounds. Lastly, everyone sounds like an idiot when they START learning any new language. Whether it be a Mexican learning English, a Korean learning Spanish or an American learning Tagalog. A few, like the responder named GRACHEZ MILLE above me, remains a pretentious idiot after decades of learning English.

I think you are just venting. You feel frustrated and need to vent off the stress. Dude- feel proud of yourself! You have lived there a year! You really are learning it, but you must accept the fact that you will never be able to speak or understand it as a native would. Your brain just locks into a language at an early age and unless you are exposed to the language as a child, you will never be able to completely think in that different language. That is what makes you fluent- when you can think in Tagalog- and not constantly think of word equivalents. It is going to be a difficult road. Just try the best you can. Believe me- the people around you respect you and appreciate your efforts. You really need to hire a maid or cook to come a few times a week and quietly teach you for an hour or two each time. That will help a lot. You may get to be competent someday, but the accent will probably never go away. Relax and just accept it. You're doing more than OK in my opinion.