"A family based in the northern part of London seeks an extraordinary and experienced educator to assist their most junior child on his initial journey to becoming an English gentleman."
When reading this listing, you might naturally skip the phrase "first-steps" as just figurative language.
But, it might be the most significant aspect of this distinctive position posting, as it seeks to find a teacher for a infant.
Hundreds of applications have now been sent in since the unnamed family published their request for the £180k-a-year tutor, who must be "someone very special".
During the past few weeks, the listing has attracted attention throughout the news, with many asking why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of an education consultancy, which is assisting the family in their quest, explained that despite initial skepticism, he considered the plan "visionary", and "innovative".
When he consulted the family, he noted they understood the unusual nature of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
But, they clarified that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had held off until their elder sibling was five, and by that point "cultural bias had already set in".
What precisely does the family refer to by "cultural bias"?
It's "everything", he responded. "The manner you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the firstborn had picked up "extremely delicate, body language" from the family, and had assumed their cultural norms. The family explained to the consultant they hoped to prevent this pattern to repeat itself with their infant.
The intention: To hire a English tutor, who should speak with standard English accent, to guide the baby from day one.
Osmotic Learning
"Much of the development at the beginning here is rather acquired indirectly," said the CEO.
It's via this natural absorption that the family are aiming the child will adopt the British traits they wish to instil.
Adam noted the tutor had 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 tutor simply needs to be the right kind of person, they'll be performing things they aren't even aware they're doing, just naturally," he commented.
Expense Not a Factor
The family explained to the expert the selected educator should preferably also have understanding of or enthusiasm in horse riding, alpine skiing, creative fields and instrumental training so as to inspire the child in a broad spectrum of passions.
Additionally though, he said the family desired the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of classes so the child would be "equestrian training and learning an instrument by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's view, assisting their son develop into a "UK sophisticate" will bring about achievement and create opportunities.
"Considering the rights and wrongs of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he adds.
However, notwithstanding all this tutelage in "English culture", would the child pick up so-called cultural leaning from the international family he lives with regardless?
"Yes", said Adam. "They understand this may not work, but they've simply adopted the perspective of, 'why not attempt it and let's go as quickly as we can', because the expense of it is not relevant," he stated.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
There are some in the private teaching field who share these reservations.
Another CEO, head and founder of a tutoring service, who also offer individual instructors, stated that "the process of becoming bicultural, or indeed, becoming oneself, is something that must be grown into, not manufactured."
He explained that he had moved from the Far East to the United Kingdom at the time of seven, and had been raised knowing and practicing both cultures. He went on to learn at the University of Cambridge.
"The notion that an individual can serve as a embodiment of English culture, a person who can possibly transfer the characteristics of a British gentleman to a one-year-old child, appears optimistic and unfeasible," he commented.
"Based on my background, having a typically British tutor from infancy will will not instantly produce the outcome they want.
"I did not have that kind of mentor, and yet I have been lucky enough to live several of the experiences they aspire for their son."
He stated: "The fact is, cultural identity should not be forced from the outside; it must be embraced, and it must be internally driven."
Acquiring Englishness
Naturally, UK identity is something Adam thinks can be taught – and sold.
"In my view the reality that the global community regards us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
