"Parents located in north London wants to find an extraordinary and qualified instructor to guide their youngest child on his initial journey to becoming an English gentleman."
When reading this advertisement, you might naturally overlook the phrase "first-steps" as mere figurative language.
Yet, it could be the most significant aspect of this distinctive position posting, as it attempts to hire a teacher for a infant.
Hundreds of responses have now been sent in since the unnamed family advertised their search for the highly paid tutor, who needs to be "a uniquely qualified person".
Over the last few weeks, the post has received notice throughout the media, with many wondering why?
Forward-Thinking Method
A tutoring expert, head and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is helping the family in their hunt, explained that in spite of first scepticism, he viewed the plan "forward-looking", and "progressive".
When he consulted the family, he said they recognized the unusual character of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
But, they explained that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had waited until their elder sibling was five, and by that stage "cultural bias had by then become established".
What exactly does the family mean by "cultural bias"?
It's "everything", Adam answered. "The way you eat, the manner you speak".
He stated the older sibling had picked up "extremely delicate, body language" from the family, and had assumed their cultural norms. The family explained to the consultant they wished to avoid the same situation to recur with their new baby.
The strategy: To engage a UK tutor, who should speak with standard English accent, to guide the baby right from the beginning.
Natural Absorption
"Much of the learning at the outset here is somewhat absorbed naturally," explained the CEO.
It's by means of this subtle influence that the family are aiming the child will pick up the British traits they wish to instil.
Adam noted the tutor needed to be somebody who studied at "prestigious academies – similar types of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The educator must be the appropriate candidate, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, simply by nature," he commented.
Expense Not a Factor
The family informed Adam the selected educator should ideally also have understanding of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, skiing, the arts and music so as to influence the child in a diverse set of passions.
Furthermore though, he said the family desired the tutor to register the child on a variety of classes so the child would be "pony-riding and picking up an instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's view, assisting their son become a "UK sophisticate" will lead to accomplishment and create opportunities.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he comments.
But, notwithstanding all this instruction in "UK identity", might the child pick up so-called cultural bias from the globally influenced family he lives with anyway?
"Certainly", said the CEO. "They understand this could fail, but they've just taken the view 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.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
There are some in the education sector who share these reservations.
Peter Cui, CEO and founder of a tutoring service, who also offer private tutors, commented that "the development of embracing two identities, or actually, becoming oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not engineered."
Peter explained that he had moved from Asia to the United Kingdom at the age of 7 years old, and had been raised experiencing and practicing two backgrounds. He progressed to study at Cambridge University.
"The idea that an individual can function as a living vessel of English culture, someone who can in some way transplant the attributes of a English gentleman upon a 12-month-old child, appears idealistic and unfeasible," he wrote.
"In my experience, engaging a typically British tutor from early childhood will not instantly achieve the goal they hope for.
"I wasn't provided with such a tutor, and nevertheless I have been fortunate enough to live many of the situations they hope for their son."
He added: "The fact is, personal identity cannot be imposed from the outside influences; it must be selected, and it must be internally driven."
Purchasing UK Culture
Certainly, Britishness is something the expert hopes can be educated – and sold.
"I believe the situation that the international society views us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
