"Parents residing in North London seeks an exceptional and qualified educator to guide their most junior child on his initial journey to becoming an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this post, you might naturally overlook the term "initial stages" as simple an expression.
But, it could be the crucial aspect of this unique position posting, as it aims to hire a teacher for a infant.
Hundreds of responses have already been received since the anonymous family published their search for the £180k-a-year tutor, who has to be "a uniquely qualified person".
Over the last few weeks, the post has gained interest across the media, with several asking why?
Progressive Approach
Adam Caller, chief executive of Tutors International, which is supporting the family in their search, stated that in spite of first doubt, he viewed the plan "forward-looking", and "advanced".
When he met the family, he noted they recognized the unusual character of their demand, and how early in age their son is.
Nevertheless, they explained that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had postponed until their firstborn was five, and by that point "cultural conditioning had already taken hold".
What precisely did the family indicate by "cultural bias"?
It's "comprehensive", Adam replied. "The way you eat, how you speak".
He stated the older sibling had adopted "extremely delicate, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had adopted their cultural ways. The family explained to the consultant they hoped to prevent history to repeat itself with their infant.
The strategy: To engage a English tutor, who should speak with RP, to shape the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"A lot of the learning at the beginning here is somewhat osmotic," stated the expert.
It's by means of this subtle influence that the family are aiming the child will acquire the British traits they aim to cultivate.
Adam explained the tutor needed to be someone who studied at "the appropriate educational institutions – the same kinds of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The instructor simply needs to be the right kind of person, they'll be performing things they aren't even aware they're doing, just naturally," he added.
Cost Not Relevant
The family told the expert the successful candidate should preferably also have familiarity of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, winter sports, artistic pursuits and instrumental training so as to shape the child in a broad spectrum of hobbies.
More than that though, he said the family hoped the tutor to sign up the child on a range of courses so the child would be "pony-riding and picking up an musical instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's minds, helping their son develop into a "UK sophisticate" will bring about success and provide access.
"For all the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a class statement," he comments.
Yet, in spite of all this instruction in "UK identity", could the child pick up what is termed cultural leaning from the globally influenced family he lives with regardless?
"Certainly", answered the CEO. "The family understand this might not succeed, but they've simply adopted the perspective of, 'why not attempt it and we'll proceed as soon as we can', because the expense of it is not a concern," he explained.
Overly Optimistic
There are some in the private teaching field who express similar concerns.
An education leader, head and founder of Blue Education, who provides personal educators, commented that "the process of embracing two identities, or indeed, forming one's identity, is something that must be lived into, not manufactured."
He noted that he had relocated from China to the United Kingdom at the age of 7 years old, and had been brought up understanding and practicing both cultures. He went on to be educated at a prestigious UK institution.
"The notion that one individual can act as a representation of UK identity, an individual who can possibly impart the attributes of a English gentleman upon a one-year-old child, strikes me as idealistic and unrealistic," he stated.
"Based on my background, employing a typically English tutor from babyhood will will not instantly produce the outcome they desire.
"I wasn't provided with such a tutor, and yet I have been lucky enough to enjoy many of the situations they hope for their son."
He continued: "The reality is, cultural identity can not be dictated from the outside influences; it must be embraced, and it must be internally driven."
Acquiring Englishness
Certainly, Britishness is something Adam thinks can be educated – and sold.
"I think the reality that the international society regards us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
