It might help....
 

It might help you on the radio to remember that the ATC guys are people too, not gods. We're all on the same side, trying to keep things running smoothly and safely.

While this generally requires talking quickly and precisely, if you should mess up a little, they are not the enemy (even if they sound a bit gruff). They'll correct you, help you, and move on.

I definitely had radio troubles at the beginning, and remember when I recognized that the guy in the tower was a trainee who had even less confidence than I did. When he didn't get a call exactly right, I helped him out, and we kept the system moving.

a very basic way to look at talking to ATC, its like talking on the phone with a friend.

(Bill calling friend before caller I.D.) its Bill, wasup Ted, ready for an excellent adventure.

(You calling ATC) Skyhawk ####, Airport Name, inbound for landing.

Break out your charts, make up a cross country, and dirt-fly (finger-fly, or chair-fly whatever your term is) with someone else (you pilot, him ATC) or play both parts yourself. Anticipate where you will be switched from clearance, to ground, to tower, departure, center, atis, approach, tower, and ground.

Also, (and Tony correct me if I am wrong, but I had good luck with this) especially in busy airspace, don't be afraid to say "unfamilliar" or something similar. I found admitting I was a rookie, gave the controller a heads up to talk a bit slower and anticipate I might botch something up something like using the prefix "Student Pilot".

And don't be afraid to ask for progressive taxi. It may p*ss off ground. But an incursion will p*ss off a whole lot more people.... or worse.

I guess I live by the thought: it is better to look stupid, than prove you ARE stupid.

The VATSIM idea is good, but be prepared to deal with a bunch of 13-14 year olds who have incorrect phraseology fulfilling their ATC fantasies. You don't want to learn bad habits, but hopefully it will get you in the swing of things. Also, don't be surprised if the VATSIM folks aren't familiar with VFR procedures as they're 90%+ handling IFR jets I think.

You may want to consider taking some tower tours to meet the controllers in person and chat with them. Maybe seeing them in person, talking to them, learning what they like and what they don't like could be useful for you.

Seriously.

"Tower, N12345"

"N12345, whadayawant?"

Yes...visual approaches, even, are (or were, when I was doing this) a relatively foreign concept. "You want to what?" "That's right, I have Four Stacks in sight, clear me for the visual..."

Also good advice.

If ground gets ****ed because you ask for progressive taxi at an unfamiliar airport, ground needs to go out for a smoke (or whatever) break.