"A family residing in the northern part of London is looking for an extraordinary and qualified educator to support their smallest child on his early path to becoming an British gentleman."
Looking at this advertisement, you might easily overlook the wording "first-steps" as simple figurative language.
Yet, it could be the most significant part of this unusual employment listing, as it attempts to hire a tutor for a 12-month-old.
Hundreds of submissions have now been received since the unidentified family posted their search for the highly paid tutor, who needs to be "someone very special".
Over the last few weeks, the post has received attention in the press, with several wondering why?
Forward-Thinking Method
A tutoring expert, CEO and founder of an education consultancy, which is supporting the family in their quest, explained that notwithstanding initial scepticism, he found the concept "forward-looking", and "progressive".
When he consulted the family, he noted they appreciated the atypical aspect of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
But, they stated that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had held off until their older child was five, and by that age "cultural bias had already taken hold".
What precisely does the family indicate by "cultural bias"?
It's "comprehensive", the expert answered. "The manner you eat, the way you speak".
He explained the elder child had picked up "very nuanced, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had adopted their cultural norms. The family explained to the consultant they hoped to prevent history to repeat itself with their new baby.
The intention: To bring in a UK tutor, who needs to speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby from the very start.
Natural Absorption
"A lot of the development at the start here is somewhat acquired indirectly," explained Adam.
It's through this subtle influence that the family are hoping the child will pick up the English characteristics they wish to instil.
He explained the tutor must be someone who attended "the appropriate educational institutions – similar types of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The educator simply needs to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be carrying out things they don't even know they're doing, effortlessly," he said.
Cost Not Relevant
The family explained to Adam the chosen tutor should ideally also have understanding of or interest in equestrian activities, alpine skiing, creative fields and music so as to influence the child in a diverse set of passions.
Additionally though, he said the family wanted the tutor to register the child on a selection of courses so the child would be "pony-riding and learning an musical instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's perspective, helping their son become a "British gentleman" will lead to accomplishment and open doors.
"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's certainly a status symbol," he comments.
Yet, in spite of all this guidance in "Britishness", might the child pick up what is termed cultural bias from the international family he is raised by regardless?
"Absolutely", said he. "They realize this might not succeed, but they've simply adopted the view of, 'we should try and let's go as soon as we can', because the expense of it is irrelevant," he explained.
Overly Optimistic
There are some in the education sector who have similar doubts.
An education leader, head and founder of a tutoring service, who provides individual instructors, stated that "the journey of adopting dual cultures, or in fact, forming one's identity, is something that must be grown into, not manufactured."
The expert wrote that he had emigrated from Asia to the UK at the age of childhood, and had been raised knowing and embodying both cultures. He went on to study at a prestigious UK institution.
"The idea that one individual can serve as a representation of UK identity, a person who can in some way impart the qualities of a UK sophisticate onto a infant child, seems to me idealistic and unfeasible," he wrote.
"In my experience, having a typically British tutor from early childhood will will not automatically produce the goal they want.
"I wasn't provided with such a tutor, and yet I have been lucky enough to experience several of the situations they aspire for their son."
He continued: "The truth is, self-identity should not be dictated from the outside; it must be embraced, and it must be internally driven."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, Britishness is something the CEO believes can be instructed – and sold.
"In my view the fact that the international society holds us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
