"Parents based in the northern part of London is looking for an exceptional and qualified instructor to support their youngest child on his initial journey to growing into an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this listing, you might naturally miss the phrase "initial stages" as mere figurative language.
However, it might be the most important element of this unusual job advert, as it aims to find a teacher for a 12-month-old.
Numerous of submissions have since been received since the anonymous family published their request for the £180k-a-year tutor, who needs to be "a uniquely qualified person".
During the past few weeks, the advert has received attention throughout the press, with several wondering why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, head and founder of Tutors International, which is supporting the family in their hunt, stated that in spite of first scepticism, he found the plan "visionary", and "innovative".
When he spoke with the family, he said they recognized the unusual nature of their requirement, and how young their son is.
However, they stated that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had waited until their older child was five, and by that point "cultural bias had already set in".
What precisely does the family indicate by "cultural bias"?
It's "everything", the expert responded. "How you eat, the manner you speak".
He stated the elder child had absorbed "extremely delicate, unspoken signals" from the family, and had assumed their cultural habits. The family informed the consultant they hoped to prevent the same situation to repeat itself with their infant.
The strategy: To bring in a UK tutor, who must speak with Received Pronunciation, to influence the baby from the very start.
Osmotic Learning
"Much of the development at the beginning here is somewhat acquired indirectly," explained the expert.
It's through this osmosis that the family are aiming the child will adopt the English characteristics they aim to impart.
The consultant said the tutor must be an individual who studied at "the appropriate educational institutions – the same kinds of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The educator just has to be the suitable individual, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, just naturally," he commented.
Money No Object
The family told the expert the chosen tutor should ideally also have understanding of or interest in equestrian activities, skiing, creative fields and music so as to shape the child in a diverse set of interests.
Additionally though, he explained the family wanted the tutor to register the child on a variety of courses so the child would be "horseback riding and picking up an tool by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's view, guiding their son develop into a "English gentleman" will bring about accomplishment and create opportunities.
"Considering the rights and wrongs of that, because it's undoubtedly a class statement," he notes.
However, notwithstanding all this guidance in "English culture", might the child absorb alleged cultural leaning from the globally influenced family he is raised by regardless?
"Absolutely", replied he. "They know this might not succeed, but they've just taken the perspective of, 'let's give it a go and we should start as soon as we can', because the expense of it is not relevant," he said.
Overly Optimistic
There are some in the education sector who have these concerns.
Another CEO, CEO and founder of a tutoring service, who supplies personal educators, commented that "the journey of adopting dual cultures, or actually, becoming oneself, is something that must be grown into, not designed."
Peter noted that he had emigrated from the Far East to the Britain at the age of 7 years old, and had been raised knowing and embodying dual heritages. He went on to learn at the University of Cambridge.
"The concept that an individual can function as a embodiment of English culture, a person who can in some way impart the qualities of a English gentleman upon a infant child, appears idealistic and unfeasible," he commented.
"In my experience, employing a typically British tutor from early childhood will does not necessarily produce the outcome they hope for.
"I wasn't provided with that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been fortunate enough to experience numerous of the opportunities they hope for their son."
He stated: "The fact is, cultural identity can not be forced from the outside influences; it must be selected, and it must originate internally."
Buying Britishness
Certainly, English culture is something Adam hopes can be educated – and marketed.
"I believe the fact that the world regards us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
