"A family based in north London wants to find an exceptional and qualified educator to support their smallest child on his first steps to becoming an British gentleman."
Looking at this advertisement, you might naturally overlook the term "first-steps" as simple figurative language.
But, it could be the most significant part of this unique employment listing, as it attempts to hire a tutor for a infant.
Many of applications have now been submitted since the anonymous family published their request for the £180,000 per year tutor, who has to be "an exceptional individual".
Over the last few weeks, the post has received notice across the news, with several wondering why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, head and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is assisting the family in their quest, explained that despite initial scepticism, he found the plan "forward-looking", and "advanced".
When he consulted the family, he noted they understood the unconventional character of their demand, and how early in age their son is.
But, they stated that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had waited until their older child was five, and by that stage "cultural bias had already taken hold".
But what does the family mean by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "comprehensive", Adam answered. "How you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the older sibling had adopted "extremely delicate, body language" from the family, and had assumed their cultural norms. The family informed Adam they wished to avoid this pattern to repeat itself with their new baby.
The intention: To hire a UK tutor, who should speak with RP, to influence the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"Much of the education at the outset here is rather acquired indirectly," explained the CEO.
It's by means of this subtle influence that the family are hoping the child will adopt the British traits they wish to instil.
Adam explained the tutor had to be somebody who studied at "prestigious academies – similar types of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The instructor just has to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, just naturally," he added.
Cost Not Relevant
The family explained to him the successful candidate should ideally also have knowledge of or passion in horse riding, winter sports, artistic pursuits and instrumental training so as to shape the child in a wide range of passions.
Additionally though, he stated the family wanted the tutor to enrol the child on a range of courses so the child would be "pony-riding and learning an tool by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's view, assisting their son grow into a "UK sophisticate" will bring about achievement and open doors.
"Taking into account the pros and cons of that, because it's certainly a status symbol," he notes.
Yet, in spite of all this instruction in "English culture", would the child absorb so-called cultural influence from the multicultural family he resides with regardless?
"Absolutely", said Adam. "They realize this may not work, but they've simply adopted the perspective of, 'we should try and let's go as early as we can', because the price of it is not relevant," he explained.
Overly Optimistic
There are some in the tutoring industry who have similar concerns.
An education leader, head and founder of a tutoring service, who also offer private tutors, stated that "the journey of adopting dual cultures, or indeed, becoming oneself, is something that must be grown into, not engineered."
He explained that he had relocated from the Far East to the Britain at the age of childhood, and had been educated knowing and embodying both cultures. He continued to study at Cambridge University.
"The idea that a single person can act as a living vessel of Britishness, an individual who can possibly impart the attributes of a English gentleman to a one-year-old child, seems to me naive and unfeasible," he wrote.
"Based on my background, engaging a distinctly English tutor from babyhood will does not necessarily create the result they want.
"I did not have such a tutor, and however I have been lucky enough to live several of the situations they aspire for their son."
He added: "The truth is, personal identity should not be imposed from the outside; it must be chosen, and it must originate internally."
Acquiring Englishness
Certainly, UK identity is something the expert believes can be instructed – and commercialized.
"I believe the reality that the global community views us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
