"A family based in North London seeks an remarkable and experienced educator to assist their smallest child on his initial journey to turning into an English gentleman."
Looking at this post, you might naturally skip the phrase "initial stages" as simple a turn of phrase.
But, it might be the crucial element of this unusual position posting, as it attempts to recruit a teacher for a infant.
Numerous of responses have since been submitted since the unnamed family advertised their call for the £180,000 per year tutor, who needs to be "someone very special".
In recent few weeks, the advert has gained notice across the news, with many asking why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of an education consultancy, which is helping the family in their hunt, explained that in spite of initial scepticism, he viewed the idea "visionary", and "innovative".
When he met the family, he noted they understood the atypical aspect of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
But, they stated that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had held off until their older child was five, and by that point "cultural influence had already taken hold".
But what does the family indicate by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "comprehensive", he answered. "The manner you eat, the way you speak".
He stated the firstborn had adopted "extremely delicate, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had taken on their cultural habits. The family informed him they wished to avoid history to recur with their new baby.
The plan: To hire a English tutor, who should speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby from the very start.
Subtle Influence
"A great deal of the education at the outset here is kind of absorbed naturally," explained Adam.
It's via this osmosis that the family are hoping the child will adopt the British traits they aim to instil.
The consultant said the tutor must be an individual who attended "prestigious academies – similar types of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The educator just has to be the suitable individual, they'll be carrying out things they may not realize they're doing, just naturally," he added.
Expense Not a Factor
The family explained to the expert the successful candidate should preferably also have understanding of or interest in riding, alpine skiing, the arts and instrumental training so as to influence the child in a diverse set of interests.
Additionally though, he explained the family hoped the tutor to register the child on a variety of courses so the child would be "equestrian training and picking up an musical instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's view, guiding their son become a "English gentleman" will lead to success and open doors.
"Considering the rights and wrongs of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he adds.
But, in spite of all this tutelage in "Britishness", might the child absorb alleged cultural bias from the multicultural family he lives with anyway?
"Certainly", said he. "They realize this may not work, but they've merely embraced the view of, 'we should try and we'll proceed as early as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he said.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
There are some in the education sector who express these concerns.
An education leader, head and founder of an educational organization, who also offer individual instructors, wrote that "the development of embracing two identities, or actually, becoming oneself, is something that must be grown into, not engineered."
Peter wrote that he had moved from Asia to the Britain at the time of seven, and had been brought up understanding and embodying dual heritages. He continued to study at the University of Cambridge.
"The concept that one individual can act as a embodiment of English culture, someone who can in some way impart the characteristics of a British gentleman to a 12-month-old child, seems to me naive and unfeasible," he stated.
"Based on my background, engaging a quintessentially UK tutor from infancy will will not instantly create the outcome they desire.
"I never had that kind of mentor, and yet I have been fortunate enough to enjoy many of the experiences they hope for their son."
He continued: "The reality is, cultural identity should not be imposed from the external environment; it must be chosen, and it must be internally driven."
Buying Britishness
Of course, Britishness is something the expert believes can be taught – and marketed.
"I think the reality that the world regards us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
