"A household based in the northern part of London is looking for an exceptional and qualified instructor to assist their smallest child on his early path to turning into an English gentleman."
When reading this post, you might naturally miss the phrase "first-steps" as simple a turn of phrase.
Yet, it might be the most significant part of this unique employment listing, as it aims to find a teacher for a infant.
Hundreds of responses have now been submitted since the anonymous family advertised their request for the £180k-a-year tutor, who has to be "someone very special".
In recent few weeks, the advert has gained attention throughout the press, with several questioning why?
Innovative Idea
The CEO, chief executive of a global tutoring firm, which is helping the family in their quest, said that despite initial doubt, he found the concept "visionary", and "progressive".
When he consulted the family, he mentioned they recognized the unusual nature of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
Nevertheless, they stated that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had postponed until their older child was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had already taken hold".
What exactly does the family refer to by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "comprehensive", Adam replied. "The manner you eat, the way you speak".
He explained the older sibling had picked up "very nuanced, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had taken on their cultural ways. The family told Adam they did not want the same situation to happen again with their infant.
The intention: To hire a English tutor, who should speak with standard English accent, to influence the baby right from the beginning.
Osmotic Learning
"Much of the education at the beginning here is rather absorbed naturally," explained the expert.
It's via this osmosis that the family are hoping the child will adopt the British traits they want to cultivate.
He explained the tutor had to be someone who went to "prestigious academies – 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 may not realize they're doing, just naturally," he added.
Expense Not a Factor
The family explained to the expert the chosen tutor should ideally also have familiarity of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, alpine skiing, artistic pursuits and musical activities so as to influence the child in a wide range of hobbies.
Additionally though, he said the family wanted the tutor to register the child on a selection of classes so the child would be "pony-riding and starting an tool by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's minds, helping their son grow into a "British gentleman" will bring about success and open doors.
"For all the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a social class indicator," he comments.
However, in spite of all this instruction in "UK identity", would the child absorb what is termed cultural leaning from the globally influenced family he is raised by in any case?
"Yes", answered he. "The parents know this might not succeed, but they've just taken the attitude of, 'why not attempt it and we should start as soon as we can', because the price of it is not relevant," he stated.
Impractical
Several in the tutoring industry who share similar concerns.
An education leader, head and founder of Blue Education, who also offer individual instructors, wrote that "the journey of embracing two identities, or actually, forming one's identity, is something that must be grown into, not designed."
He wrote that he had moved from Asia to the Britain at the time of 7 years old, and had been brought up knowing and embodying dual heritages. He continued to study at the University of Cambridge.
"The idea that one individual can function as a living vessel of UK identity, an individual who can possibly impart the characteristics of a UK sophisticate upon a 12-month-old child, appears optimistic and impractical," he commented.
"Based on my background, having a distinctly British tutor from early childhood will does not necessarily produce the result they desire.
"I never had such a tutor, and nevertheless I have been lucky enough to experience several of the situations they aspire for their son."
He stated: "The reality is, cultural identity can not be imposed from the outside influences; it must be chosen, and it must originate internally."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, UK identity is something the CEO thinks can be taught – and sold.
"I believe the situation that the international society regards us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
