"Parents residing in north London is looking for an exceptional and qualified educator to assist their most junior child on his early path to growing into an English gentleman."
When reading this post, you might naturally skip the wording "first-steps" as simple a turn of phrase.
But, it might be the crucial aspect of this distinctive position posting, as it attempts to recruit a teacher for a infant.
Many of submissions have since been received since the unnamed family posted their call for the £180,000 per year tutor, who needs to be "an exceptional individual".
Over the last few weeks, the advert has received interest throughout the media, with several questioning why?
Forward-Thinking Method
A tutoring expert, chief executive of Tutors International, which is supporting the family in their search, stated that notwithstanding early skepticism, he found the plan "forward-looking", and "progressive".
When he consulted the family, he said they appreciated the unconventional character of their request, and how immature their son is.
Nevertheless, they clarified that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had held off until their firstborn was five, and by that age "cultural influence had already become established".
But what did the family indicate by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "all-encompassing", Adam replied. "The way you eat, the way you speak".
He explained the elder child had adopted "extremely delicate, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had taken on their cultural ways. The family told him they wished to avoid this pattern to happen again with their infant.
The strategy: To bring in a British tutor, who needs to speak with RP, to shape the baby right from the beginning.
Natural Absorption
"A great deal of the development at the outset here is kind of osmotic," said the expert.
It's through this natural absorption that the family are hoping the child will pick up the English characteristics they wish to impart.
Adam explained the tutor needed to be an individual who studied at "the right kinds of schools – the same kinds of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The instructor just has to be the suitable individual, they'll be carrying out things they don't even know they're doing, effortlessly," he commented.
Cost Not Relevant
The family explained to the expert the successful candidate should ideally also have familiarity of or passion in horse riding, skiing, the arts and musical activities so as to influence the child in a wide range of hobbies.
Furthermore though, he explained the family desired the tutor to sign up the child on a variety of courses so the child would be "equestrian training and picking up an instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's minds, guiding their son become a "English gentleman" will result in success and create opportunities.
"Taking into account the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he comments.
However, in spite of all this guidance in "English culture", could the child absorb what is termed cultural bias from the globally influenced family he resides with in any case?
"Absolutely", said Adam. "The family understand this could fail, but they've simply adopted the view of, 'why not attempt it and we'll proceed as early as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he explained.
Overly Optimistic
There are some in the education sector who express similar reservations.
Peter Cui, CEO and founder of an educational organization, who provides individual instructors, stated that "the journey of adopting dual cultures, or actually, becoming oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not engineered."
He explained that he had relocated from Asia to the United Kingdom at the period of 7 years old, and had been educated understanding and practicing dual heritages. He continued to be educated at Cambridge University.
"The idea that an individual can serve as a living vessel of English culture, a person who can somehow transplant the characteristics of a British gentleman onto a 12-month-old child, strikes me as naive and unrealistic," he commented.
"Based on my background, employing a distinctly UK tutor from early childhood will not necessarily create the result they hope for.
"I never had that kind of mentor, and however I have been fortunate enough to enjoy numerous of the experiences they aspire for their son."
He added: "The fact is, cultural identity can not be dictated from the outside influences; it must be embraced, and it must come from within."
Purchasing UK Culture
Naturally, UK identity is something the expert hopes can be educated – and marketed.
"I think the reality that the global community regards us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
