"A family residing in North London is looking for an remarkable and skilled educator to guide their most junior child on his early path to turning into an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this listing, you might naturally miss the phrase "beginning" as simple a turn of phrase.
But, it may be the crucial aspect of this unusual employment listing, as it aims to find a mentor for a one-year-old.
Hundreds of responses have since been submitted since the anonymous family posted their request for the highly paid tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".
In recent few weeks, the listing has gained attention across the media, with several questioning why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, head and founder of an education consultancy, which is supporting the family in their hunt, stated that notwithstanding initial scepticism, he found the concept "forward-looking", and "advanced".
When he consulted the family, he mentioned they understood the unconventional nature of their demand, and how immature their son is.
However, they explained that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had postponed until their older child was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had by then taken hold".
What exactly does the family refer to by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "comprehensive", he responded. "The manner you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the firstborn had adopted "extremely delicate, body language" from the family, and had adopted their cultural norms. The family told the consultant they hoped to prevent the same situation to recur with their new baby.
The intention: To bring in a English tutor, who must speak with Received Pronunciation, to influence the baby from day one.
Subtle Influence
"A great deal of the education at the start here is kind of acquired indirectly," stated Adam.
It's via this natural absorption that the family are hoping the child will adopt the British traits they want to instil.
The consultant noted the tutor must be someone who went to "prestigious academies – comparable categories of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The educator must be the appropriate candidate, they'll be carrying out things they don't even know they're doing, just naturally," he added.
Expense Not a Factor
The family informed him the chosen tutor should ideally also have understanding of or passion in equestrian activities, skiing, the arts and music so as to shape the child in a broad spectrum of interests.
Furthermore though, he said the family wanted the tutor to sign up the child on a range of courses so the child would be "equestrian training and starting an musical instrument by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's minds, guiding their son grow into a "British gentleman" will bring about accomplishment and create opportunities.
"Taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's undoubtedly a social class indicator," he comments.
But, despite all this guidance in "Britishness", could the child pick up what is termed cultural bias from the international family he is raised by regardless?
"Absolutely", replied he. "The family realize this might not succeed, but they've merely embraced the attitude of, 'why not attempt it and we should start as quickly as we can', because the expense of it is irrelevant," he explained.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
There are some in the tutoring industry who have those doubts.
An education leader, head and founder of an educational organization, who provides personal educators, stated that "the process of embracing two identities, or in fact, discovering oneself, is something that must be grown into, not manufactured."
The expert wrote that he had moved from the Far East to the United Kingdom at the period of seven, and had been raised understanding and living both cultures. He progressed to be educated at a prestigious UK institution.
"The notion that a single person can serve as a embodiment of UK identity, an individual who can somehow transplant the characteristics of a UK sophisticate upon a infant child, seems to me idealistic and impractical," he stated.
"Based on my background, employing a distinctly English tutor from infancy will does not automatically produce the goal they desire.
"I wasn't provided with that kind of mentor, and however I have been privileged enough to enjoy many of the experiences they hope for their son."
He stated: "The reality is, cultural identity cannot be dictated from the external environment; it must be embraced, and it must originate internally."
Purchasing UK Culture
Certainly, English culture is something the CEO believes can be educated – and marketed.
"I believe the fact that the world holds us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
