"A household residing in north London wants to find an exceptional and qualified tutor to assist their youngest child on his early path to turning into an British gentleman."
When reading this listing, you might readily overlook the wording "initial stages" as just a turn of phrase.
But, it could be the most important aspect of this unique employment listing, as it attempts to hire a tutor for a 12-month-old.
Numerous of responses have already been submitted since the unnamed family advertised their call for the £180,000 per year tutor, who needs to be "a uniquely qualified person".
During the past few weeks, the post has gained notice in the media, with several wondering why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of Tutors International, which is helping the family in their search, said that notwithstanding initial doubt, he considered the plan "far sighted", and "innovative".
When he met the family, he said they recognized the unusual aspect of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
But, they explained that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had waited until their elder sibling was five, and by that point "cultural bias had already taken hold".
What precisely did the family mean by "cultural bias"?
It's "everything", he answered. "The manner you eat, the manner you speak".
He stated the elder child had adopted "extremely delicate, body language" from the family, and had taken on their cultural habits. The family told him they wished to avoid history to recur with their infant.
The strategy: To hire a English tutor, who must speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby right from the beginning.
Osmotic Learning
"Much of the learning at the beginning here is rather acquired indirectly," explained Adam.
It's through this subtle influence that the family are aiming the child will acquire the UK customs they aim to impart.
The consultant noted the tutor had to be an individual who went to "the appropriate educational institutions – similar types of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The instructor must be the suitable individual, they'll be carrying out things they aren't even aware they're doing, simply by nature," he said.
Cost Not Relevant
The family explained to Adam the selected educator should ideally also have knowledge of or enthusiasm in horse riding, skiing, the arts and musical activities so as to influence the child in a broad spectrum of interests.
Additionally though, he explained the family hoped the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of courses so the child would be "horseback riding and starting an tool by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's minds, guiding their son develop into a "UK sophisticate" will bring about success and open doors.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's certainly a class statement," he adds.
However, notwithstanding all this guidance in "Britishness", could the child absorb so-called cultural bias from the international family he is raised by regardless?
"Absolutely", answered he. "The family realize this may not work, but they've merely embraced the view of, 'we should try and we should start as quickly as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he said.
Impractical
A number of in the tutoring industry who share similar doubts.
Peter Cui, chief executive of a tutoring service, who supplies private tutors, commented that "the development of embracing two identities, or actually, discovering oneself, is something that must be grown into, not designed."
The expert wrote that he had moved from the Far East to the UK at the period of childhood, and had been educated knowing and practicing dual heritages. He progressed to study at a prestigious UK institution.
"The concept that a single person can act as a embodiment of English culture, a person who can possibly transfer the characteristics of a British gentleman onto a 12-month-old child, appears naive and unfeasible," he stated.
"From my perspective, employing a distinctly English tutor from early childhood will will not instantly create the goal they want.
"I wasn't provided with such a tutor, and yet I have been fortunate enough to enjoy many of the situations they desire for their son."
He continued: "The reality is, personal identity cannot be dictated from the outside; it must be selected, and it must be internally driven."
Acquiring Englishness
Of course, UK identity is something Adam thinks can be instructed – and sold.
"I believe the situation that the global community regards us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
