"Parents based in North London is looking for an exceptional and experienced educator to assist their smallest child on his initial journey to becoming an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this post, you might easily overlook the wording "first-steps" as mere an expression.
But, it might be the crucial aspect of this distinctive job advert, as it aims to recruit a mentor for a 12-month-old.
Hundreds of submissions have now been sent in since the anonymous family posted their search for the £180,000 per year tutor, who needs to be "an exceptional individual".
In recent few weeks, the listing has received notice in the press, with several wondering why?
Innovative Idea
A tutoring expert, head and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is supporting the family in their quest, stated that despite initial skepticism, he viewed the concept "visionary", and "innovative".
When he met the family, he mentioned they recognized the atypical aspect of their demand, and how immature their son is.
Nevertheless, they clarified that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had postponed until their firstborn was five, and by that stage "cultural bias had already become established".
What exactly did the family refer to by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "everything", the expert responded. "The way you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the elder child had absorbed "really subtle, body language" from the family, and had taken on their cultural norms. The family told the consultant they did not want this pattern to happen again with their new baby.
The strategy: To engage a British tutor, who needs to speak with standard English accent, to influence the baby right from the beginning.
Natural Absorption
"A lot of the learning at the start here is somewhat osmotic," said the CEO.
It's by means of this natural absorption that the family are hoping the child will pick up the UK customs they wish to impart.
He explained the tutor must be someone who went to "prestigious academies – comparable categories of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The educator must be the appropriate candidate, they'll be carrying out things they may not realize they're doing, effortlessly," he added.
Expense Not a Factor
The family told the expert the chosen tutor should preferably also have understanding of or enthusiasm in riding, winter sports, the arts and music so as to inspire the child in a wide range of interests.
Furthermore though, he said the family desired the tutor to register the child on a range of classes so the child would be "pony-riding and starting an musical instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's minds, assisting their son grow into a "British gentleman" will result in accomplishment and create opportunities.
"Taking into account the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he notes.
However, in spite of all this tutelage in "Britishness", could the child absorb what is termed cultural leaning from the globally influenced family he resides with in any case?
"Absolutely", said he. "The parents understand this could fail, but they've just taken the attitude of, 'let's give it a go and we'll proceed as soon as we can', because the cost of it is not a concern," he stated.
Overly Optimistic
A number of in the education sector who have similar doubts.
Another CEO, CEO and founder of Blue Education, who also offer personal educators, commented that "the journey of adopting dual cultures, or indeed, discovering oneself, is something that must be lived into, not engineered."
Peter wrote that he had emigrated from Asia to the Britain at the period of seven, and had been educated understanding and practicing both cultures. He continued to study at a prestigious UK institution.
"The idea that an individual can function as a embodiment of UK identity, someone who can in some way transfer the qualities of a UK sophisticate upon a one-year-old child, seems to me idealistic and unfeasible," he commented.
"In my experience, employing a distinctly English tutor from early childhood will will not automatically achieve the outcome they hope for.
"I never had such a tutor, and yet I have been privileged enough to experience many of the situations they aspire for their son."
He added: "The reality is, cultural identity cannot be imposed from the external environment; it must be selected, and it must come from within."
Buying Britishness
Of course, English culture is something Adam thinks can be taught – and sold.
"I think the fact that the international society views us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
