"A family located in north London is looking for an remarkable and experienced instructor to assist their youngest child on his early path to turning into an British gentleman."
When reading this listing, you might readily skip the term "initial stages" as simple a turn of phrase.
Yet, it may be the most significant aspect of this unusual position posting, as it attempts to hire a mentor for a infant.
Many of responses have already been received since the anonymous family advertised their call for the highly paid tutor, who needs to be "an exceptional individual".
During the past few weeks, the advert has attracted attention in the press, with several wondering why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of an education consultancy, which is assisting the family in their quest, stated that notwithstanding first scepticism, he viewed the plan "forward-looking", and "innovative".
When he met the family, he noted they appreciated the atypical character of their requirement, and how young their son is.
However, they stated that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had postponed until their elder sibling was five, and by that stage "cultural bias had already taken hold".
What exactly did the family mean by "cultural bias"?
It's "all-encompassing", he replied. "The way you eat, the manner you speak".
He said the older sibling had adopted "very nuanced, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had adopted their cultural habits. The family told Adam they did not want this pattern to recur with their younger child.
The strategy: To bring in a English tutor, who should speak with RP, to shape the baby from day one.
Subtle Influence
"A lot of the learning at the beginning here is rather absorbed naturally," stated the CEO.
It's via this osmosis that the family are hoping the child will adopt the British traits they wish to instil.
The consultant noted the tutor must be somebody who attended "the right kinds of schools – comparable categories of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The tutor must be the suitable individual, they'll be performing things they may not realize they're doing, effortlessly," he said.
Expense Not a Factor
The family explained to Adam the chosen tutor should ideally also have knowledge of or passion in horse riding, winter sports, creative fields and musical activities so as to influence the child in a diverse set of hobbies.
Additionally though, he explained the family hoped the tutor to register the child on a range of courses so the child would be "horseback riding and starting an musical instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's view, helping their son grow into a "UK sophisticate" will lead to accomplishment and open doors.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's undoubtedly a status symbol," he adds.
Yet, despite all this guidance in "Britishness", could the child adopt what is termed cultural leaning from the globally influenced family he lives with in any case?
"Yes", answered he. "The parents know this may not work, but they've merely embraced the attitude of, 'let's give it a go and we should start as soon as we can', because the expense of it is irrelevant," he explained.
Overly Optimistic
There are some in the education sector who share similar doubts.
Another CEO, chief executive of a tutoring service, who supplies private tutors, stated that "the process of becoming bicultural, or indeed, discovering oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not manufactured."
The expert noted that he had moved from China to the United Kingdom at the period of seven, and had been brought up knowing and embodying two backgrounds. He progressed to study at a prestigious UK institution.
"The concept that one individual can act as a embodiment of UK identity, an individual who can possibly transplant the attributes of a English gentleman to a 12-month-old child, appears optimistic and impractical," he stated.
"Based on my background, engaging a distinctly English tutor from babyhood will will not instantly achieve the goal they desire.
"I never had such a tutor, and yet I have been privileged enough to enjoy many of the experiences they desire for their son."
He added: "The fact is, personal identity should not be dictated from the outside; it must be embraced, and it must be internally driven."
Acquiring Englishness
Certainly, English culture is something the CEO thinks can be taught – and sold.
"I think the situation that the global community holds us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
