"A household based in north London is looking for an extraordinary and qualified instructor to assist their smallest child on his first steps to turning into an British gentleman."
Looking at this advertisement, you might naturally miss the term "first-steps" as just an expression.
However, it might be the crucial part of this unusual job advert, as it attempts to find a teacher for a 12-month-old.
Many of responses have now been sent in since the unidentified family posted their search for the highly paid tutor, who has to be "an exceptional individual".
During the past few weeks, the listing has gained notice in the news, with several wondering why?
Forward-Thinking Method
A tutoring expert, CEO and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is supporting the family in their hunt, said that in spite of first skepticism, he considered the idea "far sighted", and "advanced".
When he spoke with the family, he noted they appreciated the unusual character of their requirement, and how young their son is.
However, they explained that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to get a tutor, as they had held off until their older child was five, and by that stage "cultural bias had by then set in".
But what does the family mean by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "all-encompassing", the expert replied. "The manner you eat, the way you speak".
He explained the elder child had picked up "really subtle, body language" from the family, and had assumed their cultural habits. The family told the consultant they wished to avoid this pattern to repeat itself with their younger child.
The strategy: To hire a British tutor, who should speak with standard English accent, to guide the baby from the very start.
Subtle Influence
"A lot of the learning at the start here is somewhat acquired indirectly," explained Adam.
It's via this osmosis that the family are aiming the child will adopt the British traits they want to instil.
The consultant noted the tutor must be someone who attended "the right kinds of schools – similar types of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The tutor must be the right kind of person, they'll be carrying out things they don't even know they're doing, effortlessly," he added.
Cost Not Relevant
The family informed the expert the chosen tutor should ideally also have knowledge of or interest in equestrian activities, alpine skiing, the arts and musical activities so as to influence the child in a diverse set of hobbies.
Furthermore though, he stated the family wanted the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of courses so the child would be "pony-riding and starting an tool by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's perspective, helping their son become a "English gentleman" will result in success and open doors.
"Taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's certainly a class statement," he adds.
However, despite all this guidance in "Britishness", might the child absorb what is termed cultural leaning from the multicultural family he is raised by in any case?
"Absolutely", answered the CEO. "The family know this could fail, but they've merely embraced the perspective of, 'why not attempt it and we should start as quickly as we can', because the price of it is not relevant," he stated.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
There are some in the private teaching field who express those doubts.
An education leader, head and founder of a tutoring service, who supplies private tutors, commented that "the process of adopting dual cultures, or indeed, forming one's identity, is something that must be grown into, not manufactured."
The expert wrote that he had moved from China to the United Kingdom at the period of childhood, and had been raised knowing and living two backgrounds. He continued to study at Cambridge University.
"The idea that one individual can serve as a representation of UK identity, a person who can possibly impart the characteristics of a English gentleman onto a 12-month-old child, strikes me as idealistic and unfeasible," he commented.
"In my experience, employing a distinctly UK tutor from babyhood will not automatically achieve the result they desire.
"I never had that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been lucky enough to live many of the opportunities they desire for their son."
He added: "The truth is, personal identity should not be forced from the outside; it must be chosen, and it must originate internally."
Purchasing UK Culture
Naturally, UK identity is something Adam hopes can be educated – and marketed.
"I think the reality that the global community holds us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
