"A family based in the northern part of London wants to find an extraordinary and qualified instructor to support their youngest child on his initial journey to growing into an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this advertisement, you might naturally overlook the term "initial stages" as just a turn of phrase.
However, it may be the most important element of this unique job advert, as it aims to find a teacher for a one-year-old.
Numerous of submissions have now been received since the unidentified family advertised their search for the highly paid tutor, who has to be "a uniquely qualified person".
Over the last few weeks, the post has gained interest throughout the media, with several wondering why?
Forward-Thinking Method
A tutoring expert, head and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is assisting the family in their search, explained that notwithstanding initial skepticism, he considered the plan "visionary", and "innovative".
When he spoke with the family, he noted they appreciated the unconventional aspect of their request, and how young their son is.
However, they clarified that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had postponed until their firstborn was five, and by that point "cultural conditioning had already become established".
What exactly did the family mean by "cultural leaning"?
It's "everything", Adam answered. "The manner you eat, the way you speak".
He stated the elder child had picked up "extremely delicate, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had assumed their cultural ways. The family explained to Adam they hoped to prevent history to happen again with their younger child.
The intention: To bring in a UK tutor, who should speak with Received Pronunciation, to influence the baby right from the beginning.
Osmotic Learning
"Much of the development at the outset here is somewhat acquired indirectly," explained the CEO.
It's through this natural absorption that the family are aiming the child will acquire the British traits they wish to impart.
The consultant noted the tutor had to be an individual who went to "prestigious academies – the same kinds of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The tutor simply needs to be the suitable individual, they'll be carrying out things they may not realize they're doing, simply by nature," he commented.
Cost Not Relevant
The family told the expert the successful candidate should ideally also have understanding of or passion in equestrian activities, winter sports, the arts and music so as to shape the child in a diverse set of hobbies.
More than that though, he said the family desired the tutor to enrol the child on a selection of lessons so the child would be "horseback riding and starting an instrument by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's perspective, assisting their son develop into a "English gentleman" will result in success and provide access.
"For all the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a class statement," he comments.
Yet, in spite of all this tutelage in "UK identity", could the child absorb so-called cultural bias from the multicultural family he resides with anyway?
"Yes", said he. "The family understand this might not succeed, but they've merely embraced the perspective of, 'why not attempt it and we should start as quickly as we can', because the expense of it is irrelevant," he said.
Impractical
Several in the private teaching field who have these reservations.
Peter Cui, chief executive of a tutoring service, who supplies private tutors, stated that "the journey of adopting dual cultures, or indeed, discovering oneself, is something that must be lived into, not engineered."
The expert wrote that he had emigrated from China to the UK at the age of seven, and had been brought up experiencing and living both cultures. He progressed to be educated at a prestigious UK institution.
"The notion that a single person can act as a embodiment of Britishness, an individual who can in some way impart the characteristics of a UK sophisticate to a infant child, appears idealistic and unrealistic," he commented.
"In my experience, employing a distinctly English tutor from infancy will will not instantly produce the outcome they desire.
"I never had that kind of mentor, and yet I have been fortunate enough to live several of the opportunities they aspire for their son."
He continued: "The reality is, cultural identity cannot be forced from the outside; it must be chosen, and it must originate internally."
Acquiring Englishness
Naturally, UK identity is something Adam thinks can be instructed – and sold.
"I believe the fact that the global community views us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
