"Parents based in North London is looking for an exceptional and qualified educator to support their most junior child on his early path to turning into an English gentleman."
When reading this listing, you might readily miss the phrase "initial stages" as simple a turn of phrase.
Yet, it could be the most significant part of this unique employment listing, as it attempts to hire a teacher for a 12-month-old.
Many of responses have since been sent in since the unidentified family advertised their call for the £180,000 per year tutor, who needs to be "a uniquely qualified person".
In recent few weeks, the post has received attention throughout the media, with numerous asking why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is assisting the family in their hunt, explained that in spite of first doubt, he viewed the idea "visionary", and "innovative".
When he consulted the family, he mentioned they understood the unconventional nature of their requirement, and how young their son is.
However, they explained that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had held off until their older child was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had already set in".
But what did the family mean by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "everything", he answered. "The way you eat, how you speak".
He said the elder child had adopted "really subtle, body language" from the family, and had assumed their cultural habits. The family told him they wished to avoid history to recur with their new baby.
The plan: To engage a English tutor, who should speak with RP, to shape the baby from day one.
Subtle Influence
"A great deal of the education at the beginning here is somewhat osmotic," explained the expert.
It's by means of this subtle influence that the family are hoping the child will acquire the English characteristics they want to impart.
He said the tutor needed to be somebody who attended "the right kinds of schools – the same kinds of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The tutor just has to be the right kind of person, they'll be performing things they aren't even aware they're doing, effortlessly," he said.
Cost Not Relevant
The family informed the expert the successful candidate should ideally also have understanding of or enthusiasm in horse riding, winter sports, creative fields and musical activities so as to influence the child in a diverse set of passions.
Additionally though, he said the family wanted the tutor to register the child on a variety of classes so the child would be "equestrian training and learning an instrument by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's minds, assisting their son grow into a "British gentleman" will lead to achievement and open doors.
"Considering the rights and wrongs of that, because it's undoubtedly a status symbol," he comments.
But, notwithstanding all this instruction in "English culture", would the child absorb alleged cultural bias from the international family he is raised by in any case?
"Absolutely", replied he. "The parents realize this might not succeed, but they've just taken the perspective of, 'we should try and we'll proceed as early as we can', because the expense of it is irrelevant," he stated.
Impractical
There are some in the private teaching field who share similar doubts.
Peter Cui, head and founder of Blue Education, who also offer personal educators, commented that "the process of embracing two identities, or actually, becoming oneself, is something that must be lived into, not engineered."
Peter noted that he had relocated from Asia to the UK at the time of 7 years old, and had been educated experiencing and living two backgrounds. He progressed to be educated at a prestigious UK institution.
"The idea that an individual can serve as a representation of Britishness, someone who can possibly impart the qualities of a British gentleman onto a 12-month-old child, seems to me naive and unfeasible," he commented.
"Based on my background, employing a quintessentially English tutor from early childhood will will not instantly create the result they want.
"I wasn't provided with that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been lucky enough to experience several of the experiences they aspire for their son."
He continued: "The fact is, cultural identity can not be dictated from the external environment; it must be embraced, and it must come from within."
Purchasing UK Culture
Certainly, UK identity is something the expert believes can be educated – and sold.
"I believe the reality that the international society regards us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
