When I saw my friend's new uniform card, made especially for sixth-formers, I was posed with the question of "Why not?" as I looked down upon it.

In our sixth-form there is a handful of Chinese students who have come from overseas in order to be educated at our school in England. There was no problem with them as far as I could see. And yet, the staff at our school seem to think otherwise.

The card my friend was given was green, with a 5 x 5 box, all titled appropriately. If you get four ticks, you have an after-school detention. I thought this was appropriate though unnecessary because of the lack of trouble-seeking sixth-formers who have no idea how to look smart. Then I turned my eyes rightward and I asked the question: "Why not?".

The farthest row to the right was entitled: 'Speaking Chinese'.

This was obviously aimed at the Chinese students and not to us. I have no idea how to speak the language. However, despite this, I think it is almost wrong to enforce this on somebody. I think this a downgraded and somehow acceptable version of a stereotypical Englander shouting: "Learn the fucking language!", which I do not agree with at all. I have seen the teachers tell these students off because they were speaking their own language and now it has developed into this. They say it is because it is anti-social towards us and also they came here to learn our language as well. I believe this to be farcical. They have a right to speak their own language.

I would agree that they should be encouraged to learn English, especially for lessons it is almost vital. However, during breaktimes, lunchtimes and free periods this rule should not exist. They speak Chinese anyway, regardless of what the Uniform Slip says and it's fine. But now, if a teacher happened to walk past and heard the DIFFERENT words of another language they would have to say: "That's one step closer to a detention!"

Ridiculous.