"A household located in the northern part of London is looking for an extraordinary and skilled educator to assist their most junior child on his initial journey to becoming an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this listing, you might naturally skip the phrase "first-steps" as mere figurative language.
However, it may be the most significant element of this unique position posting, as it attempts to hire a teacher for a one-year-old.
Numerous of applications have now been sent in since the unidentified family posted their search for the £180k-a-year tutor, who has to be "an exceptional individual".
During the past few weeks, the listing has attracted interest in the news, with several wondering why?
Innovative Idea
A tutoring expert, chief executive of a global tutoring firm, which is supporting the family in their quest, explained that in spite of early scepticism, he found the plan "far sighted", and "innovative".
When he spoke with the family, he noted they appreciated the atypical aspect of their request, and how early in age their son is.
Nevertheless, they explained that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had waited until their older child was five, and by that point "cultural influence had already set in".
What exactly did the family refer to by "cultural leaning"?
It's "comprehensive", Adam replied. "How you eat, the manner you speak".
He stated the firstborn had picked up "really subtle, body language" from the family, and had adopted their cultural norms. The family told Adam they hoped to prevent the same situation to repeat itself with their younger child.
The plan: To bring in a UK tutor, who should speak with RP, to shape the baby from the very start.
Osmotic Learning
"Much of the development at the start here is rather absorbed naturally," stated Adam.
It's through this osmosis that the family are aiming the child will adopt the UK customs they wish to impart.
The consultant said the tutor had to be somebody who studied at "the appropriate educational institutions – the same kinds of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The educator just has to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be performing things they aren't even aware they're doing, just naturally," he said.
Expense Not a Factor
The family explained to the expert the successful candidate should ideally also have knowledge of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, alpine skiing, the arts and instrumental training so as to inspire the child in a broad spectrum of interests.
More than that though, he stated the family wanted the tutor to sign up the child on a variety of courses so the child would be "pony-riding and picking up an tool by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's view, helping their son grow into a "English gentleman" will result in achievement and open doors.
"Taking into account the pros and cons of that, because it's undoubtedly a status symbol," he comments.
But, in spite of all this guidance in "UK identity", could the child adopt alleged cultural bias from the multicultural family he is raised by regardless?
"Absolutely", replied the CEO. "The family know this might not succeed, but they've simply adopted the attitude of, 'let's give it a go and we should start as quickly as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he said.
Overly Optimistic
Several in the education sector who express those concerns.
Another CEO, head and founder of a tutoring service, who provides private tutors, wrote that "the process of adopting dual cultures, or in fact, forming one's identity, is something that must be experienced personally, not designed."
Peter noted that he had moved from the Far East to the UK at the period of seven, and had been educated understanding and living both cultures. He continued to study at the University of Cambridge.
"The notion that an individual can serve as a living vessel of Britishness, an individual who can possibly transfer the qualities of a English gentleman onto a one-year-old child, appears naive and impractical," he commented.
"In my experience, employing a typically UK tutor from early childhood will does not automatically create the outcome they desire.
"I wasn't provided with such a figure, and yet I have been lucky enough to experience many of the opportunities they hope for their son."
He stated: "The reality is, cultural identity can not be dictated from the outside influences; it must be chosen, and it must originate internally."
Acquiring Englishness
Certainly, Britishness is something the expert thinks can be taught – and sold.
"I believe the fact that the global community holds us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
