"A family located in the northern part of London seeks an extraordinary and qualified educator to assist their smallest child on his initial journey to growing into an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this advertisement, you might naturally overlook the wording "beginning" as simple an expression.
But, it could be the crucial part of this unique employment listing, as it attempts to hire a teacher for a 12-month-old.
Numerous of submissions have now been sent in since the unnamed family published their call for the £180,000 per year tutor, who must be "a uniquely qualified person".
Over the last few weeks, the post has gained interest across the news, with many wondering why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, head and founder of Tutors International, which is helping the family in their search, explained that despite early scepticism, he considered the plan "forward-looking", and "innovative".
When he consulted the family, he mentioned they appreciated the atypical character of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
However, they clarified that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had held off until their firstborn was five, and by that point "cultural influence had already become established".
What exactly did the family indicate by "cultural bias"?
It's "everything", the expert responded. "The way you eat, the way you speak".
He stated the firstborn had picked up "very nuanced, unspoken signals" from the family, and had taken on their cultural norms. The family informed the consultant they did not want this pattern to happen again with their infant.
The strategy: To hire a British tutor, who should speak with RP, to shape the baby from day one.
Subtle Influence
"A lot of the development at the beginning here is rather absorbed naturally," said the expert.
It's through this osmosis that the family are hoping the child will pick up the English characteristics they aim to impart.
The consultant said the tutor must be someone who studied at "prestigious academies – similar types of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The tutor simply needs to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be doing things they may not realize they're doing, effortlessly," he commented.
Money No Object
The family explained to Adam the selected educator should ideally also have knowledge of or passion in horse riding, alpine skiing, creative fields and instrumental training so as to influence the child in a diverse set of interests.
More than that though, he explained the family wanted the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of classes so the child would be "equestrian training and learning an musical instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's minds, helping their son develop into a "British gentleman" will result in accomplishment and create opportunities.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's undoubtedly a status symbol," he notes.
Yet, in spite of all this instruction in "Britishness", could the child adopt what is termed cultural leaning from the multicultural family he lives with anyway?
"Yes", replied he. "The parents know this might not succeed, but they've merely embraced the view of, 'we should try and let's go as early as we can', because the expense of it is irrelevant," he explained.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
A number of in the education sector who share similar concerns.
An education leader, head and founder of a tutoring service, who also offer private tutors, wrote that "the journey of embracing two identities, or in fact, forming one's identity, is something that must be lived into, not manufactured."
He wrote that he had relocated from the Far East to the Britain at the age of childhood, and had been educated knowing and embodying dual heritages. He progressed to learn at the University of Cambridge.
"The notion that an individual can serve as a representation of Britishness, a person who can in some way impart the qualities of a English gentleman upon a infant child, seems to me optimistic and unfeasible," he stated.
"In my experience, having a typically English tutor from infancy will not automatically achieve the outcome they want.
"I did not have such a figure, and nevertheless I have been privileged enough to experience several of the situations they desire for their son."
He added: "The truth is, self-identity should not be imposed from the outside influences; it must be selected, and it must come from within."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, English culture is something Adam believes can be taught – and commercialized.
"I think the situation that the world holds us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
