"A family located in the northern part of London is looking for an remarkable and experienced instructor to assist their youngest child on his initial journey to becoming an British gentleman."
When reading this advertisement, you might naturally skip the phrase "first-steps" as simple figurative language.
But, it may be the most important aspect of this unusual position posting, as it seeks to recruit a tutor for a 12-month-old.
Hundreds of submissions have already been submitted since the unnamed family advertised their search for the highly paid tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".
During the past few weeks, the advert has received notice across the media, with several questioning why?
Forward-Thinking Method
A tutoring expert, CEO and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is assisting the family in their hunt, said that in spite of initial skepticism, he considered the idea "forward-looking", and "advanced".
When he met the family, he said they understood the unusual aspect of their request, and how immature their son is.
However, they explained that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to get a tutor, as they had waited until their older child was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had already taken hold".
What exactly does the family refer to by "cultural leaning"?
It's "everything", the expert answered. "The manner you eat, the manner you speak".
He stated the older sibling had absorbed "very nuanced, body language" from the family, and had assumed their cultural habits. The family informed him they did not want this pattern to repeat itself with their infant.
The strategy: To hire a British tutor, who should speak with RP, to influence the baby from day one.
Subtle Influence
"Much of the development at the outset here is somewhat osmotic," explained Adam.
It's through this osmosis that the family are aiming the child will adopt the English characteristics they aim to cultivate.
The consultant explained the tutor had to be an individual who attended "prestigious academies – similar types of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The instructor must be the appropriate candidate, they'll be performing things they aren't even aware they're doing, effortlessly," he commented.
Money No Object
The family informed the expert the chosen tutor should preferably also have knowledge of or enthusiasm in horse riding, skiing, artistic pursuits and musical activities so as to influence the child in a broad spectrum of passions.
Additionally though, he said the family desired the tutor to register the child on a range of courses so the child would be "equestrian training and picking up an musical instrument by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's view, guiding their son become a "English gentleman" will bring about accomplishment and create opportunities.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's undoubtedly a social class indicator," he notes.
Yet, despite all this instruction in "English culture", would the child pick up so-called cultural influence from the international family he resides with regardless?
"Absolutely", replied Adam. "The parents know this could fail, but they've simply adopted the attitude of, 'let's give it a go and let's go as quickly as we can', because the expense of it is not a concern," he explained.
Impractical
Several in the tutoring industry who have those doubts.
Peter Cui, CEO and founder of Blue Education, who provides private tutors, stated that "the development of becoming bicultural, or in fact, discovering oneself, is something that must be lived into, not manufactured."
He wrote that he had moved from Asia to the Britain at the time of 7 years old, and had been raised experiencing and embodying two backgrounds. He went on to learn at Cambridge University.
"The idea that a single person can serve as a living vessel of English culture, someone who can in some way transplant the qualities of a UK sophisticate to a one-year-old child, strikes me as optimistic and unrealistic," he stated.
"In my experience, employing a quintessentially UK tutor from infancy will will not instantly achieve the goal they want.
"I never had that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been privileged enough to live several of the situations they desire for their son."
He stated: "The reality is, personal identity cannot be forced from the external environment; it must be embraced, and it must originate internally."
Purchasing UK Culture
Certainly, UK identity is something the CEO thinks can be taught – and marketed.
"I think the situation that the global community holds us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
