If you're going to learn a new language, you can't try to be perfect. You'll stop yourself from talking. You just have to let go.
Interpretation
Learning a new language requires accepting imperfection to communicate effectively.
In this quote, Yao Ming emphasizes the importance of allowing oneself to make mistakes when learning a new language. The fear of making errors can inhibit progress and prevent meaningful communication; thus, embracing imperfection is crucial for language acquisition and fluency.
In practice
This quote could be shared during a language class to encourage students to speak without fear.
Every sound in the gym is so fantastic. The screams of the fans, the whistle of the ref, the teammates calling to each other, the sounds of the ball touching the wooden floor, the sneakers touching the floor, and the sounds of the fight, the muscle and the sweat. Oh, and the last one-when the ball goes through the net. Don't laugh at my sensitivity and romanticism - those sounds really attract me.
When I was young, we were taught not to dunk. We were taught not to stand out from the rest of the team. It's different now.
When the buying stops, the killing can too.
I only want to play basketball, and play it well and be happy about it. But I realize that with being famous, comes a lot of demands.
History is the most aristocratic of all literary pursuits, because it obliges the historian to be rich as well as educated.
I was looking at making a shift in my career. I've been so blessed I'd like to be able to give that back. If I could find young artists, young performers I can nurture to have a career I would really like that.
Experience is an author's most valuable asset; experience is the thing that puts the muscle and the breath and the warm blood into the book he writes.
Education without social action is a one-sided value because it has no true power potential.
All my mind was centered on my studies, which, especially at the beginning, were difficult. In fact, I was insufficiently prepared to follow the physical science course at the Sorbonne, for, despite all my efforts, I had not succeeded in acquiring in Poland a preparation as complete as that of the French students following the same course.
Come then, and let us pass a leisure hour in storytelling, and our story shall be the education of our heroes.
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