"A family located in north London seeks an remarkable and qualified educator to assist their smallest child on his initial journey to turning into an British gentleman."
Looking at this listing, you might naturally overlook the term "initial stages" as mere an expression.
But, it could be the crucial aspect of this unusual position posting, as it attempts to recruit a mentor for a one-year-old.
Many of applications have since been received since the unnamed family posted their call for the £180,000 per year tutor, who has to be "an exceptional individual".
During the past few weeks, the advert has gained attention throughout the news, with several asking why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of an education consultancy, which is assisting the family in their quest, explained that notwithstanding initial scepticism, he considered the idea "forward-looking", and "innovative".
When he consulted the family, he mentioned they recognized the unconventional character of their request, and how early in age their son is.
However, they stated that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had held off until their older child was five, and by that point "cultural conditioning had by then taken hold".
What precisely does the family indicate by "cultural leaning"?
It's "everything", Adam replied. "How you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the elder child had picked up "really subtle, unspoken signals" from the family, and had assumed their cultural habits. The family informed Adam they did not want the same situation to recur with their younger child.
The strategy: To bring in a British tutor, who must speak with standard English accent, to shape the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"A lot of the education at the beginning here is rather absorbed naturally," said the expert.
It's via this natural absorption that the family are expecting the child will adopt the UK customs they wish to impart.
Adam said the tutor must be somebody who went to "prestigious academies – similar types of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The instructor just has to be the suitable individual, they'll be carrying out things they may not realize they're doing, simply by nature," he commented.
Money No Object
The family informed Adam the successful candidate should preferably also have understanding of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, skiing, the arts and musical activities so as to shape the child in a diverse set of interests.
More than that though, he explained the family hoped the tutor to register the child on a range of classes so the child would be "equestrian training and starting an instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's minds, assisting their son develop into a "UK sophisticate" will lead to achievement and provide access.
"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's definitely a class statement," he adds.
Yet, in spite of all this instruction in "UK identity", might the child adopt what is termed cultural bias from the multicultural family he is raised by regardless?
"Absolutely", answered he. "They know this might not succeed, but they've simply adopted the attitude of, 'let's give it a go and we'll proceed as soon as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he said.
Impractical
There are some in the private teaching field who express these concerns.
Peter Cui, chief executive of a tutoring service, who supplies personal educators, stated that "the journey of becoming bicultural, or actually, forming one's identity, is something that must be grown into, not manufactured."
Peter noted that he had emigrated from the Far East to the United Kingdom at the time of 7 years old, and had been educated understanding and embodying two backgrounds. He progressed to learn at the University of Cambridge.
"The notion that an individual can function as a embodiment of English culture, a person who can possibly impart the qualities of a British gentleman to a infant child, appears optimistic and unfeasible," he commented.
"In my experience, employing a distinctly UK tutor from infancy will not automatically create the outcome they hope for.
"I wasn't provided with such a figure, and yet I have been privileged enough to enjoy several of the situations they aspire for their son."
He continued: "The fact is, personal identity cannot be imposed from the outside; it must be embraced, and it must be internally driven."
Buying Britishness
Naturally, English culture is something Adam thinks can be educated – and commercialized.
"I think the fact that the global community holds us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
