"A family residing in the northern part of London is looking for an extraordinary and qualified educator to guide their smallest child on his initial journey to growing into an English gentleman."
Looking at this advertisement, you might easily overlook the phrase "initial stages" as mere a turn of phrase.
But, it could be the most significant element of this distinctive employment listing, as it attempts to find a teacher for a one-year-old.
Hundreds of submissions have now been sent in since the anonymous family published their request for the £180,000 per year tutor, who must be "a uniquely qualified person".
In recent few weeks, the listing has gained notice throughout the media, with several asking why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, head and founder of an education consultancy, which is helping the family in their quest, stated that despite early doubt, he considered the idea "forward-looking", and "progressive".
When he consulted the family, he mentioned they recognized the unconventional nature of their requirement, and how young their son is.
But, they clarified that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had postponed until their older child was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had by then become established".
What precisely did the family refer to by "cultural leaning"?
It's "comprehensive", Adam responded. "The way you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the firstborn had adopted "really subtle, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had assumed their cultural norms. The family informed him they hoped to prevent history to happen again with their younger child.
The plan: To bring in a UK tutor, who must speak with standard English accent, to shape the baby from the very start.
Subtle Influence
"Much of the development at the beginning here is rather absorbed naturally," explained Adam.
It's through this subtle influence that the family are expecting the child will pick up the English characteristics they wish to cultivate.
Adam noted the tutor needed to be an individual who attended "the right kinds of schools – the same kinds of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The instructor must be the right kind of person, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, effortlessly," he commented.
Cost Not Relevant
The family informed Adam the chosen tutor should ideally also have understanding of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, skiing, artistic pursuits and music so as to shape the child in a wide range of interests.
More than that though, he said the family hoped the tutor to enrol the child on a selection of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and picking up an tool by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's perspective, helping their son become a "UK sophisticate" will bring about accomplishment and provide access.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he comments.
Yet, notwithstanding all this guidance in "English culture", could the child pick up alleged cultural leaning from the international family he lives with in any case?
"Absolutely", replied he. "The family understand this could fail, but they've merely embraced the view of, 'why not attempt it and we'll proceed as early as we can', because the price of it is irrelevant," he stated.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
A number of in the education sector who express these doubts.
An education leader, head and founder of an educational organization, who also offer personal educators, commented that "the development of embracing two identities, or indeed, forming one's identity, is something that must be lived into, not designed."
Peter wrote that he had moved from China to the United Kingdom at the time of seven, and had been raised knowing and embodying two backgrounds. He progressed to learn at a prestigious UK institution.
"The idea that a single person can function as a living vessel of English culture, someone who can somehow impart the attributes of a UK sophisticate upon a infant child, strikes me as idealistic and impractical," he stated.
"Based on my background, having a quintessentially English tutor from early childhood will will not instantly create the goal they desire.
"I never had that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been fortunate enough to enjoy numerous of the situations they hope for their son."
He stated: "The truth is, self-identity should not be imposed from the external environment; it must be selected, and it must originate internally."
Buying Britishness
Of course, English culture is something the CEO thinks can be instructed – and commercialized.
"I think the situation that the global community regards us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
