"A family based in north London is looking for an extraordinary and qualified instructor to guide their youngest child on his first steps to turning into an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this post, you might naturally overlook the wording "initial stages" as mere an expression.
However, it may be the most significant aspect of this distinctive position posting, as it seeks to recruit a teacher for a infant.
Numerous of responses have now been submitted since the anonymous family advertised their search for the £180,000 per year tutor, who must be "a uniquely qualified person".
During the past few weeks, the post has gained interest across the press, with several questioning why?
Progressive Approach
The CEO, chief executive of an education consultancy, which is assisting the family in their quest, stated that in spite of first skepticism, he viewed the idea "far sighted", and "advanced".
When he spoke with the family, he said they understood the atypical nature of their request, and how young their son is.
But, they stated that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to get a tutor, as they had held off until their elder sibling was five, and by that point "cultural influence had by then set in".
What exactly does the family indicate by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "comprehensive", Adam replied. "The manner you eat, how you speak".
He explained the older sibling had adopted "really subtle, body language" from the family, and had assumed their cultural ways. The family informed Adam they hoped to prevent history to recur with their younger child.
The intention: To bring in a British tutor, who should speak with standard English accent, to influence the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"A great deal of the learning at the outset here is rather osmotic," stated Adam.
It's by means of this subtle influence that the family are expecting the child will adopt the UK customs they wish to cultivate.
The consultant noted the tutor had to be someone who studied at "the appropriate educational institutions – similar types of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The instructor simply needs to be the right kind of person, they'll be carrying out things they aren't even aware they're doing, just naturally," he commented.
Expense Not a Factor
The family explained to Adam the successful candidate should preferably also have understanding of or enthusiasm in riding, alpine skiing, creative fields and music so as to influence the child in a wide range of interests.
Additionally though, he stated the family wanted the tutor to sign up the child on a variety of lessons so the child would be "horseback riding and picking up an musical instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's view, guiding their son become a "UK sophisticate" will result in accomplishment and create opportunities.
"Considering the rights and wrongs of that, because it's definitely a social class indicator," he adds.
But, in spite of all this instruction in "English culture", would the child adopt what is termed cultural bias from the multicultural family he is raised by in any case?
"Certainly", replied he. "The parents realize this may not work, but they've simply adopted the view of, 'we should try and let's go as quickly as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he said.
Impractical
Several in the education sector who express similar reservations.
Peter Cui, head and founder of an educational organization, who supplies private tutors, stated that "the process of becoming bicultural, or indeed, discovering oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not manufactured."
The expert noted that he had emigrated from China to the UK at the period of 7 years old, and had been brought up understanding and embodying dual heritages. He progressed to learn at a prestigious UK institution.
"The notion that one individual can function as a representation of English culture, an individual who can somehow transplant the characteristics of a English gentleman to a 12-month-old child, appears optimistic and unfeasible," he wrote.
"Based on my background, having a typically English tutor from infancy will does not necessarily achieve the outcome they desire.
"I wasn't provided with such a tutor, and however I have been privileged enough to enjoy many of the opportunities they hope for their son."
He stated: "The reality is, personal identity cannot be dictated from the outside; it must be chosen, and it must be internally driven."
Buying Britishness
Of course, English culture is something the CEO hopes can be taught – and sold.
"I believe the fact that the global community regards us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
