"Parents based in north London wants to find an extraordinary and experienced tutor to guide their most junior child on his initial journey to becoming an English gentleman."
Looking at this listing, you might readily overlook the phrase "first-steps" as simple an expression.
Yet, it might be the most important aspect of this unusual employment listing, as it attempts to hire a tutor for a one-year-old.
Hundreds of responses have already been submitted since the unnamed family advertised their request for the highly paid tutor, who has to be "someone very special".
During the past few weeks, the post has received interest throughout the news, with several questioning why?
Progressive Approach
Adam Caller, head and founder of an education consultancy, which is assisting the family in their quest, stated that despite first scepticism, he considered the plan "far sighted", and "progressive".
When he met the family, he noted they appreciated the unconventional aspect of their requirement, and how immature their son is.
Nevertheless, they clarified that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had postponed 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 "all-encompassing", the expert answered. "The way you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the elder child had absorbed "extremely delicate, body language" from the family, and had taken on their cultural ways. The family explained to him they wished to avoid the same situation to recur with their new baby.
The plan: To hire a English tutor, who must speak with RP, to guide the baby from day one.
Osmotic Learning
"Much of the development at the outset here is kind of osmotic," said the expert.
It's by means of this subtle influence that the family are expecting the child will adopt the British traits they want to impart.
He explained the tutor must be someone who studied at "the right kinds of schools – similar types of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The educator must be the right kind of person, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, effortlessly," he added.
Cost Not Relevant
The family explained to the expert the chosen tutor should preferably also have understanding of or passion in horse riding, alpine skiing, artistic pursuits and musical activities so as to influence the child in a wide range of interests.
Furthermore though, he stated the family wanted the tutor to enrol the child on a range of classes so the child would be "pony-riding and picking up an tool by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's perspective, assisting their son develop into a "British gentleman" will bring about accomplishment and open doors.
"Taking into account the pros and cons of that, because it's undoubtedly a class statement," he notes.
Yet, notwithstanding all this guidance in "UK identity", could the child pick up alleged cultural influence from the multicultural family he is raised by regardless?
"Yes", replied he. "The parents know this may not work, but they've just taken the perspective of, 'let's give it a go and we should start as quickly as we can', because the expense of it is not relevant," he said.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
There are some in the private teaching field who express these concerns.
Peter Cui, chief executive of a tutoring service, who also offer private tutors, stated that "the journey of becoming bicultural, or indeed, forming one's identity, is something that must be grown into, not designed."
The expert wrote that he had emigrated from China to the Britain at the period of seven, and had been raised understanding and living both cultures. He continued to learn at Cambridge University.
"The notion that an individual can serve as a embodiment of English culture, an individual who can possibly impart the characteristics of a English gentleman to a infant child, appears optimistic and unrealistic," he commented.
"Based on my background, employing a distinctly UK tutor from babyhood will not necessarily produce the goal they desire.
"I never had such a tutor, and nevertheless I have been privileged enough to live numerous of the opportunities they hope for their son."
He continued: "The reality is, cultural identity should not be dictated from the outside; it must be selected, and it must originate internally."
Purchasing UK Culture
Naturally, English culture is something the expert thinks can be educated – and marketed.
"I think the fact that the global community views us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
