"Parents residing in the northern part of London is looking for an remarkable and qualified instructor to assist their smallest child on his early path to becoming an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this listing, you might readily overlook the wording "beginning" as simple an expression.
Yet, it might be the crucial element of this unique job advert, as it attempts to recruit a tutor for a 12-month-old.
Many of responses have since been submitted since the unidentified family advertised their request for the highly paid tutor, who must be "a uniquely qualified person".
During the past few weeks, the advert has attracted attention throughout the media, with several asking why?
Progressive Approach
Adam Caller, head and founder of Tutors International, which is supporting the family in their hunt, said that in spite of first doubt, he viewed the idea "forward-looking", and "advanced".
When he spoke with the family, he mentioned they recognized the atypical aspect of their demand, and how immature their son is.
Nevertheless, they clarified that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had postponed until their older child was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had already become established".
What precisely did the family refer to by "cultural bias"?
It's "all-encompassing", he answered. "How you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the older sibling had adopted "very nuanced, unspoken signals" from the family, and had assumed their cultural norms. The family informed the consultant they hoped to prevent history to recur with their new baby.
The plan: To hire a English tutor, who should speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby from day one.
Subtle Influence
"Much of the learning at the outset here is rather acquired indirectly," explained the expert.
It's through this natural absorption that the family are hoping the child will acquire the English characteristics they want to cultivate.
He noted the tutor had to be an individual who attended "the right kinds of schools – the same kinds of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The educator simply needs to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be doing things they don't even know they're doing, simply by nature," he added.
Cost Not Relevant
The family told the expert the selected educator should preferably also have familiarity of or passion in riding, skiing, artistic pursuits and music so as to inspire the child in a broad spectrum of interests.
Furthermore though, he said the family hoped the tutor to enrol the child on a range of courses so the child would be "equestrian training and picking up an tool by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's minds, assisting their son develop into a "British gentleman" will result in achievement and provide access.
"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's undoubtedly a status symbol," he comments.
Yet, in spite of all this guidance in "UK identity", would the child absorb what is termed cultural bias from the globally influenced family he resides with regardless?
"Certainly", answered Adam. "The parents realize this might not succeed, but they've merely embraced the view of, 'let's give it a go and we'll proceed as early as we can', because the expense of it is irrelevant," he explained.
Overly Optimistic
Several in the private teaching field who share similar concerns.
Another CEO, chief executive of an educational organization, who provides personal educators, commented that "the process of becoming bicultural, or indeed, becoming oneself, is something that must be lived into, not engineered."
Peter wrote that he had emigrated from China to the UK at the period of seven, and had been brought up knowing and embodying dual heritages. He continued to study at Cambridge University.
"The idea that a single person can serve as a living vessel of English culture, someone who can somehow impart the characteristics of a British gentleman to a 12-month-old child, strikes me as naive and unrealistic," he wrote.
"Based on my background, engaging a quintessentially UK tutor from babyhood will not instantly produce the result they desire.
"I never had such a figure, and however I have been lucky enough to live several of the experiences they desire for their son."
He continued: "The truth is, cultural identity can not be imposed from the outside; it must be selected, and it must come from within."
Buying Britishness
Naturally, English culture is something the expert believes can be instructed – and marketed.
"I believe the situation that the global community views us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating