“What I do sometimes, is in middle of Shemona Esrei, during Shma Koleinu, I’ll just “talk” in English and request my requests and proclaim my apologies, etc.”
I think one is only supposed to do that in middle of Shema Koleinu (between “al tishivainu” and “ki Atuh”) or after “Hashem Tzuri vi’Go’ali” in Elokei nizor. But taling to Hashem in your own langauge is definitely a great idea, and I can testify it really helps one devolop a real relationship relationship with HKB”H.