"A family based in North London is looking for an extraordinary and qualified educator to support their most junior child on his first steps to becoming an British gentleman."
Looking at this advertisement, you might naturally miss the term "initial stages" as mere a turn of phrase.
But, it may be the most significant element of this unusual position posting, as it aims to recruit a mentor for a infant.
Hundreds of responses have already been submitted since the anonymous family published their search for the £180k-a-year tutor, who must be "a uniquely qualified person".
Over the last few weeks, the listing has received interest in the news, with numerous questioning why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of Tutors International, which is assisting the family in their hunt, explained that notwithstanding early doubt, he viewed the idea "forward-looking", and "progressive".
When he met the family, he said they appreciated the unconventional character of their demand, and how immature their son is.
Nevertheless, they clarified that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had held off until their older child was five, and by that point "cultural conditioning had already become established".
What precisely did the family mean by "cultural leaning"?
It's "all-encompassing", he answered. "The manner you eat, how you speak".
He stated the older sibling had adopted "extremely delicate, body language" from the family, and had taken on their cultural norms. The family told him they wished to avoid this pattern to repeat itself with their new baby.
The plan: To hire a English tutor, who must speak with Received Pronunciation, to guide the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"A lot of the development at the start here is kind of absorbed naturally," explained Adam.
It's through this subtle influence that the family are hoping the child will acquire the UK customs they want to impart.
Adam said the tutor had to be someone who attended "prestigious academies – similar types of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The instructor simply needs to be the suitable individual, they'll be carrying out things they aren't even aware they're doing, just naturally," he commented.
Cost Not Relevant
The family told the expert the successful candidate should ideally also have understanding of or passion in horse riding, alpine skiing, the arts and music so as to influence the child in a diverse set of interests.
Furthermore though, he said the family hoped the tutor to register the child on a variety of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and learning an instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's perspective, assisting their son develop into a "English gentleman" will result in success and create opportunities.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he notes.
However, notwithstanding all this guidance in "English culture", would the child adopt so-called cultural bias from the multicultural family he resides with in any case?
"Yes", said the CEO. "They know this might not succeed, but they've just taken the view of, 'let's give it a go and we'll proceed as quickly as we can', because the cost of it is not a concern," he stated.
Overly Optimistic
Several in the education sector who express those doubts.
Peter Cui, chief executive of an educational organization, who also offer private tutors, stated that "the journey of adopting dual cultures, or in fact, discovering oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not manufactured."
The expert noted that he had emigrated from the Far East to the Britain at the period of 7 years old, and had been raised understanding and practicing two backgrounds. He progressed to learn at the University of Cambridge.
"The concept that a single person can serve as a embodiment of UK identity, someone who can in some way transplant the qualities of a UK sophisticate to a one-year-old child, strikes me as optimistic and unfeasible," he stated.
"In my experience, having a typically British tutor from early childhood will will not instantly create the outcome they hope for.
"I wasn't provided with that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been lucky enough to enjoy numerous of the opportunities they desire for their son."
He stated: "The reality is, cultural identity should not be forced from the external environment; it must be chosen, and it must originate internally."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, UK identity is something Adam believes can be educated – and commercialized.
"I believe the situation that the international society views us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
