"Parents based in the northern part of London is looking for an exceptional and skilled educator to support their smallest child on his initial journey to turning into an English gentleman."
When reading this advertisement, you might easily skip the wording "first-steps" as mere figurative language.
Yet, it may be the most important aspect of this distinctive position posting, as it attempts to find a tutor for a 12-month-old.
Many of applications have already been sent in since the unidentified family published their search for the £180,000 per year tutor, who must be "a uniquely qualified person".
In recent few weeks, the post has gained attention throughout the press, with many wondering why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, chief executive of an education consultancy, which is helping the family in their quest, explained that in spite of initial skepticism, he found the plan "forward-looking", and "innovative".
When he spoke with the family, he mentioned they understood the unusual nature of their demand, and how young their son is.
Nevertheless, they stated that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had waited until their elder sibling was five, and by that point "cultural influence had already become established".
What exactly did the family mean by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "everything", the expert replied. "The way you eat, the way you speak".
He stated the elder child had adopted "very nuanced, body language" from the family, and had taken on their cultural habits. The family told the consultant they did not want history to recur with their infant.
The plan: To bring in a UK tutor, who needs to speak with Received Pronunciation, to guide the baby from day one.
Subtle Influence
"A great deal of the learning at the beginning here is somewhat absorbed naturally," explained the expert.
It's via this natural absorption that the family are aiming the child will acquire the British traits they wish to instil.
He explained the tutor must be somebody who studied at "the appropriate educational institutions – the same kinds of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The tutor must be the appropriate candidate, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, just naturally," he said.
Cost Not Relevant
The family told him the selected educator should ideally also have knowledge of or passion in riding, winter sports, creative fields and instrumental training so as to influence the child in a broad spectrum of interests.
Furthermore though, he stated the family hoped the tutor to enrol the child on a range of classes so the child would be "pony-riding and starting an tool by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's view, helping their son grow into a "British gentleman" will lead to success and create opportunities.
"For all the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's definitely a class statement," he comments.
However, despite all this tutelage in "English culture", would the child pick up what is termed cultural influence from the globally influenced family he resides with in any case?
"Absolutely", answered the CEO. "The family know this could fail, but they've just taken the attitude of, 'why not attempt it and let's go as quickly as we can', because the cost of it is not a concern," he stated.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
A number of in the private teaching field who share those doubts.
Another CEO, CEO and founder of Blue Education, who also offer personal educators, commented that "the development of becoming bicultural, or indeed, becoming oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not designed."
The expert wrote that he had relocated from China to the United Kingdom at the age of childhood, and had been brought up knowing and practicing both cultures. He continued to study at Cambridge University.
"The concept that a single person can function as a embodiment of UK identity, a person who can possibly transplant the qualities of a British gentleman onto a one-year-old child, appears optimistic and unrealistic," he wrote.
"Based on my background, employing a typically English tutor from infancy will will not necessarily create the result they want.
"I did not have such a tutor, and however I have been privileged enough to enjoy several of the experiences they desire for their son."
He continued: "The truth is, cultural identity can not be imposed from the outside influences; it must be chosen, and it must be internally driven."
Purchasing UK Culture
Certainly, UK identity is something Adam thinks can be taught – and commercialized.
"I believe the situation that the global community regards us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
