"A household located in North London wants to find an exceptional and qualified instructor to assist their most junior child on his initial journey to becoming an English gentleman."
When reading this advertisement, you might naturally overlook the wording "first-steps" as mere figurative language.
Yet, it may be the crucial aspect of this unusual employment listing, as it attempts to find a teacher for a 12-month-old.
Hundreds of submissions have now been submitted since the unidentified family published their search for the £180,000 per year tutor, who has to be "someone very special".
In recent few weeks, the listing has gained interest throughout the media, with several wondering why?
Progressive Approach
Adam Caller, head and founder of Tutors International, which is supporting the family in their search, explained that despite initial scepticism, he viewed the idea "visionary", and "innovative".
When he consulted the family, he mentioned they appreciated 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 hire a tutor, as they had postponed until their firstborn was five, and by that age "cultural conditioning had already taken hold".
What precisely does the family refer to by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "everything", the expert replied. "The way you eat, the way you speak".
He said the firstborn had picked up "really subtle, body language" from the family, and had adopted their cultural habits. The family informed Adam they wished to avoid this pattern to happen again with their infant.
The intention: To engage a UK tutor, who should speak with RP, to influence the baby from day one.
Osmotic Learning
"Much of the development at the beginning here is rather absorbed naturally," said the CEO.
It's through this natural absorption that the family are aiming the child will acquire the English characteristics they want to instil.
Adam explained the tutor had to be someone who attended "prestigious academies – comparable categories of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The educator must be the right kind of person, they'll be carrying out things they aren't even aware they're doing, just naturally," he said.
Cost Not Relevant
The family informed Adam the selected educator should preferably also have familiarity of or passion in equestrian activities, winter sports, the arts and musical activities so as to influence the child in a diverse set of hobbies.
Furthermore though, he explained the family wanted the tutor to register the child on a range of classes so the child would be "equestrian training and starting an tool by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's minds, assisting their son develop into a "English gentleman" will result in accomplishment and provide access.
"Taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's certainly a social class indicator," he comments.
But, despite all this instruction in "English culture", could the child absorb what is termed cultural leaning from the multicultural family he lives with in any case?
"Absolutely", replied the CEO. "The family understand this might not succeed, but they've just taken the perspective of, 'we should try and let's go as soon as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he explained.
Impractical
Several in the tutoring industry who share similar doubts.
An education leader, head and founder of Blue Education, who supplies personal educators, wrote that "the development of embracing two identities, or indeed, forming one's identity, is something that must be grown into, not designed."
The expert noted that he had emigrated from the Far East to the UK at the time of 7 years old, and had been brought up knowing and embodying two backgrounds. He continued to learn at the University of Cambridge.
"The notion that a single person can serve as a representation of English culture, someone who can possibly transfer the characteristics of a English gentleman upon a infant child, seems to me naive and impractical," he commented.
"In my experience, employing a typically English tutor from early childhood will not instantly produce the goal they desire.
"I did not have such a tutor, and however I have been lucky enough to enjoy many of the situations they aspire for their son."
He stated: "The truth is, self-identity can not be imposed from the external environment; it must be chosen, and it must originate internally."
Acquiring Englishness
Of course, Britishness is something the expert believes can be instructed – and sold.
"In my view the fact that the world views us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
