"Parents residing in North London seeks an exceptional and experienced instructor to assist their smallest child on his early path to growing into an British gentleman."
When reading this advertisement, you might naturally overlook the phrase "beginning" as just a turn of phrase.
But, it may be the most important aspect of this unique job advert, as it seeks to recruit a tutor for a 12-month-old.
Numerous of applications have since been sent in since the unnamed family published their search for the £180,000 per year tutor, who has to be "an exceptional individual".
In recent few weeks, the advert has gained notice in the press, with many asking why?
Innovative Idea
A tutoring expert, CEO and founder of an education consultancy, which is supporting the family in their quest, stated that notwithstanding early scepticism, he viewed the concept "far sighted", and "innovative".
When he met the family, he noted they understood the unconventional nature of their request, and how early in age their son is.
However, they stated that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to get a tutor, as they had waited until their older child was five, and by that stage "cultural bias had already become established".
But what does the family mean by "cultural leaning"?
It's "all-encompassing", he responded. "The manner you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the older sibling had absorbed "really subtle, body language" from the family, and had adopted their cultural norms. The family informed the consultant they hoped to prevent history to happen again with their new baby.
The strategy: To engage a British tutor, who needs to speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby from the very start.
Subtle Influence
"A lot of the learning at the outset here is rather osmotic," stated Adam.
It's via this natural absorption that the family are hoping the child will acquire the British traits they want to instil.
Adam noted the tutor needed to be an individual who studied at "the right kinds of schools – comparable categories of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The tutor simply needs to be the right kind of person, they'll be performing things they aren't even aware they're doing, effortlessly," he commented.
Money No Object
The family explained to him the successful candidate should preferably also have understanding of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, alpine skiing, artistic pursuits and musical activities so as to influence the child in a broad spectrum of passions.
Additionally though, he explained the family hoped the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of lessons so the child would be "horseback riding and learning an instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's perspective, assisting their son become a "English gentleman" will result in success and open doors.
"For all the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a social class indicator," he adds.
But, notwithstanding all this guidance in "Britishness", might the child adopt so-called cultural leaning from the international family he resides with anyway?
"Yes", answered Adam. "The family understand this may not work, but they've merely embraced the attitude of, 'let's give it a go and let's go as soon as we can', because the price of it is not a concern," he explained.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
A number of in the education sector who have similar concerns.
An education leader, head and founder of a tutoring service, who provides private tutors, commented that "the development of embracing two identities, or indeed, forming one's identity, is something that must be lived into, not designed."
The expert noted that he had moved from China to the United Kingdom at the time of 7 years old, and had been educated experiencing and living dual heritages. He continued to be educated at Cambridge University.
"The idea that a single person can serve as a representation of UK identity, someone who can possibly transplant the characteristics of a English gentleman upon a infant child, strikes me as idealistic and unrealistic," he commented.
"In my experience, employing a typically UK tutor from babyhood will not necessarily produce the goal they want.
"I did not have that kind of mentor, and however I have been privileged enough to experience many of the opportunities they hope for their son."
He stated: "The truth is, cultural identity can not be imposed from the outside influences; it must be chosen, and it must come from within."
Buying Britishness
Of course, UK identity is something the CEO believes can be educated – and marketed.
"I believe the fact that the global community regards us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
