"A household based in north London wants to find an remarkable and experienced instructor to support their youngest child on his initial journey to growing into an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this listing, you might readily skip the term "initial stages" as simple an expression.
Yet, it might be the most important part of this unusual position posting, as it seeks to find a tutor for a 12-month-old.
Hundreds of submissions have now been received since the unnamed family advertised their request for the highly paid tutor, who has to be "a uniquely qualified person".
Over the last few weeks, the advert has received notice across the media, with several wondering why?
Progressive Approach
Adam Caller, chief executive of Tutors International, which is assisting the family in their quest, said that in spite of first scepticism, he viewed the concept "forward-looking", and "advanced".
When he met the family, he mentioned they understood the unconventional aspect of their demand, and how young their son is.
However, they explained that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had held off until their elder sibling was five, and by that age "cultural influence had already become established".
What exactly does the family mean by "cultural bias"?
It's "comprehensive", he responded. "How you eat, the manner you speak".
He stated the older sibling had adopted "very nuanced, body language" from the family, and had assumed their cultural norms. The family informed him they did not want history to recur with their younger child.
The strategy: To hire a British tutor, who needs to speak with standard English accent, to shape the baby from the very start.
Natural Absorption
"Much of the learning at the start here is somewhat osmotic," stated Adam.
It's via this osmosis that the family are hoping the child will pick up the English characteristics they aim to instil.
The consultant explained the tutor must be someone who attended "the appropriate educational institutions – similar types of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The instructor must be the suitable individual, they'll be carrying out things they may not realize they're doing, effortlessly," he said.
Expense Not a Factor
The family told the expert the selected educator should preferably also have knowledge of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, skiing, creative fields and instrumental training so as to influence the child in a broad spectrum of passions.
Furthermore though, he explained the family desired the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and learning an musical instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's view, assisting their son become a "British gentleman" will lead to success and open doors.
"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's certainly a social class indicator," he adds.
Yet, in spite of all this tutelage in "English culture", would the child absorb alleged cultural influence from the globally influenced family he is raised by regardless?
"Absolutely", said the CEO. "The family understand this might not succeed, but they've just taken the attitude of, 'we should try and we'll proceed as soon as we can', because the price of it is not a concern," he said.
Overly Optimistic
There are some in the tutoring industry who have those concerns.
An education leader, head and founder of a tutoring service, who provides individual instructors, stated that "the development of embracing two identities, or in fact, becoming oneself, is something that must be lived into, not manufactured."
The expert wrote that he had relocated from the Far East to the Britain at the period of seven, and had been raised experiencing and embodying both cultures. He went on to be educated at Cambridge University.
"The notion that a single person can act as a embodiment of UK identity, someone who can somehow transfer the characteristics of a British gentleman onto a infant child, strikes me as naive and unrealistic," he commented.
"Based on my background, having a quintessentially English tutor from early childhood will does not necessarily achieve the goal they want.
"I never had such a figure, and nevertheless I have been fortunate enough to experience several of the situations they desire for their son."
He continued: "The reality is, personal identity can not be forced from the outside influences; it must be selected, and it must be internally driven."
Buying Britishness
Certainly, Britishness is something the CEO believes can be educated – and commercialized.
"I believe the situation that the global community regards us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
