To not speak your mother’s tongue

One who speaks in a foreign language will at first look stupid to native speakers–and ‘at first’ may last many years. Apparently, there is nothing either of them can do about it. Yes, they will deny any discrimination, and in theory, that works: people don’t want to look bad. In practice things work out differently.
What is the solution?

Speakers merely have to stop being self-conscious about it.
How is that for a paradox advice?