Embarrassing question but how do I pray?

I’d ask my rabbi but I think he assumes I know how to pray since I’ve mentioned having prayed to him before. I’m new to Judaism though and idk if I’m doing it right, specifically when it comes to making your own prayers and not reciting an existing one. Is there a format? Like do you start by saying “dear God” like you’re writing a letter or something? And is there a certain length prayers should be? Do I have to be standing up or sitting? In shul some prayers are said out loud and some are said in your head, how do I know if I should be praying aloud or in my head when I’m not reciting an existing prayer? When Christians pray they put their hands together—is that the case for Judaism, too, or is there a different posture for praying in Judaism? Do I keep my eyes open or closed? As a woman and not yet Jewish person I don’t need a kippah to pray, right, or is that wrong? Any other accessory I need? What if my mind starts to wander as I’m praying? How do I end a prayer? Should I try to pray in Hebrew or should I pray in English so I know I’m not messing up the words? Is there like a checklist of things I need to do while praying?

I’m sorry, it’s really embarrassing that I’ve gone so long without knowing this basic stuff, I should’ve asked months ago but it kept slipping my mind