"A family based in north London seeks an remarkable and skilled educator to assist their smallest child on his initial journey to growing into an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this advertisement, you might easily overlook the term "beginning" as just figurative language.
But, it may be the most significant element of this unusual position posting, as it seeks to find a teacher for a one-year-old.
Hundreds of submissions have now been received since the unnamed family published their call for the highly paid tutor, who needs to be "a uniquely qualified person".
In recent few weeks, the advert has gained notice across the press, with many wondering why?
Forward-Thinking Method
A tutoring expert, chief executive of Tutors International, which is assisting the family in their search, said that despite first skepticism, he found the concept "forward-looking", and "advanced".
When he spoke with the family, he said they understood the atypical aspect of their request, and how immature their son is.
Nevertheless, they explained that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had waited until their firstborn was five, and by that point "cultural influence had by then become established".
What exactly does the family refer to by "cultural leaning"?
It's "everything", he answered. "The manner you eat, the way you speak".
He explained the elder child had adopted "extremely delicate, body language" from the family, and had assumed their cultural habits. The family informed the consultant they wished to avoid history to recur with their younger child.
The strategy: To bring in a UK tutor, who needs to speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby from day one.
Subtle Influence
"Much of the education at the start here is rather osmotic," said the expert.
It's by means of this osmosis that the family are aiming the child will pick up the UK customs they want to impart.
He explained the tutor had to be someone who attended "the right kinds of schools – similar types of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The instructor just has to be the suitable individual, they'll be carrying out things they don't even know they're doing, just naturally," he commented.
Expense Not a Factor
The family informed Adam the selected educator should preferably also have knowledge of or interest in horse riding, winter sports, artistic pursuits and music so as to inspire the child in a wide range of passions.
More than that though, he stated the family hoped the tutor to register the child on a selection of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and picking up an musical instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's minds, assisting their son become a "English gentleman" will bring about achievement and provide access.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a class statement," he comments.
But, notwithstanding all this guidance in "English culture", might the child absorb alleged cultural influence from the globally influenced family he is raised by regardless?
"Absolutely", answered he. "The family realize this might not succeed, but they've just taken the attitude of, 'let's give it a go and let's go as early as we can', because the expense of it is not a concern," he said.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
There are some in the education sector who express those reservations.
Peter Cui, chief executive of a tutoring service, who also offer private tutors, commented that "the process of adopting dual cultures, or indeed, discovering oneself, is something that must be grown into, not engineered."
He explained that he had relocated from Asia to the UK at the time of childhood, and had been educated knowing and practicing both cultures. He continued to be educated at the University of Cambridge.
"The idea that one individual can serve as a embodiment of UK identity, someone who can possibly transfer the qualities of a English gentleman to a 12-month-old child, seems to me idealistic and unrealistic," he commented.
"In my experience, engaging a distinctly UK tutor from babyhood will does not instantly produce the outcome they hope for.
"I did not have such a figure, and however I have been privileged enough to live many of the experiences they aspire for their son."
He added: "The reality is, personal identity cannot be imposed from the outside; it must be chosen, and it must come from within."
Purchasing UK Culture
Certainly, Britishness is something the CEO hopes can be taught – and commercialized.
"I think the reality that the global community holds us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
