"A household residing in North London is looking for an remarkable and experienced educator to guide their youngest child on his initial journey to becoming an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this post, you might naturally overlook the phrase "first-steps" as simple figurative language.
However, it may be the most significant aspect of this unique job advert, as it aims to recruit a mentor for a one-year-old.
Hundreds of responses have already been received since the anonymous family advertised their search for the £180,000 per year tutor, who has to be "an exceptional individual".
In recent few weeks, the listing has attracted interest in the press, with numerous wondering why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, chief executive of an education consultancy, which is supporting the family in their search, explained that in spite of initial skepticism, he found the idea "forward-looking", and "advanced".
When he consulted the family, he noted they recognized the atypical aspect of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
But, they stated that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had waited until their firstborn was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had already taken hold".
But what does the family refer to by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "comprehensive", Adam answered. "The way you eat, how you speak".
He stated the older sibling had absorbed "really subtle, unspoken signals" from the family, and had taken on their cultural norms. The family informed Adam they wished to avoid the same situation to recur with their younger child.
The strategy: To hire a British tutor, who should speak with RP, to guide the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"A lot of the learning at the start here is rather absorbed naturally," said the CEO.
It's via this subtle influence that the family are aiming the child will acquire the UK customs they want to cultivate.
The consultant said the tutor must be somebody who attended "the appropriate educational institutions – similar types of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The instructor simply needs to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be doing things they don't even know they're doing, just naturally," he added.
Expense Not a Factor
The family explained to the expert the chosen tutor should ideally also have understanding of or interest in riding, alpine skiing, artistic pursuits and music so as to shape the child in a wide range of hobbies.
More than that though, he stated the family wanted the tutor to register the child on a variety of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and starting an instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's minds, assisting their son develop into a "British gentleman" will lead to success and provide access.
"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's certainly a social class indicator," he notes.
However, notwithstanding all this instruction in "English culture", might the child absorb alleged cultural influence from the multicultural family he lives with anyway?
"Certainly", replied Adam. "They know this might not succeed, but they've just taken the view of, 'let's give it a go and let's go as early as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he said.
Overly Optimistic
There are some in the private teaching field who express these concerns.
Another CEO, CEO and founder of Blue Education, who supplies private tutors, wrote that "the development of becoming bicultural, or in fact, forming one's identity, is something that must be grown into, not manufactured."
The expert wrote that he had moved from Asia to the UK at the period of 7 years old, and had been brought up knowing and living two backgrounds. He progressed to be educated at a prestigious UK institution.
"The concept that a single person can act as a representation of UK identity, someone who can possibly transfer the qualities of a UK sophisticate onto a one-year-old child, appears idealistic and unrealistic," he commented.
"Based on my background, engaging a typically British tutor from early childhood will not necessarily produce the goal they hope for.
"I did not have that kind of mentor, and however I have been fortunate enough to experience several of the opportunities they hope for their son."
He stated: "The truth is, personal identity should not be dictated from the outside; it must be selected, and it must come from within."
Acquiring Englishness
Naturally, Britishness is something the CEO hopes can be instructed – and sold.
"I believe the situation that the world regards us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
