"A household based in the northern part of London is looking for an remarkable and qualified instructor to assist their smallest child on his early path to growing into an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this post, you might easily overlook the phrase "first-steps" as just an expression.
However, it may be the crucial element of this distinctive employment listing, as it seeks to find a teacher for a 12-month-old.
Many of responses have already been sent in since the unidentified family posted their search for the £180,000 per year tutor, who has to be "a uniquely qualified person".
In recent few weeks, the post has attracted attention in the news, with many wondering why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, chief executive of Tutors International, which is supporting the family in their quest, explained that in spite of first scepticism, he viewed the idea "far sighted", and "innovative".
When he met the family, he mentioned they recognized the unusual nature of their requirement, and how young their son is.
But, they explained that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to get a tutor, as they had held off until their elder sibling was five, and by that point "cultural conditioning had already become established".
But what does the family mean by "cultural bias"?
It's "comprehensive", Adam replied. "The way you eat, the manner you speak".
He said the firstborn had absorbed "extremely delicate, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had adopted their cultural ways. The family explained to Adam they wished to avoid this pattern to repeat itself with their younger child.
The plan: To hire a UK tutor, who needs to speak with RP, to influence the baby from the very start.
Subtle Influence
"A lot of the development at the start here is rather absorbed naturally," explained the CEO.
It's through this subtle influence that the family are aiming the child will adopt the English characteristics they wish to instil.
The consultant explained the tutor had to be somebody who attended "prestigious academies – comparable categories of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The instructor just has to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be performing things they aren't even aware they're doing, simply by nature," he said.
Expense Not a Factor
The family told him the chosen tutor should ideally also have familiarity of or interest in equestrian activities, winter sports, artistic pursuits and music so as to inspire the child in a diverse set of passions.
Furthermore though, he explained the family hoped the tutor to enrol the child on a range of classes so the child would be "horseback riding and learning an tool by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's perspective, guiding their son become a "UK sophisticate" will bring about accomplishment and create opportunities.
"For all the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's certainly a social class indicator," he adds.
Yet, notwithstanding all this tutelage in "UK identity", might the child pick up what is termed cultural bias from the globally influenced family he resides with in any case?
"Certainly", replied the CEO. "The family realize this might not succeed, but they've merely embraced the attitude of, 'let's give it a go and let's go as soon as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he stated.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
A number of in the education sector who share similar concerns.
An education leader, chief executive of Blue Education, who provides individual instructors, stated that "the process of adopting dual cultures, or actually, discovering oneself, is something that must be grown into, not manufactured."
Peter explained that he had moved from China to the United Kingdom at the time of 7 years old, and had been brought up experiencing and living both cultures. He progressed to study at a prestigious UK institution.
"The concept that a single person can serve as a representation of UK identity, an individual who can in some way transfer the qualities of a English gentleman onto a 12-month-old child, appears naive and unrealistic," he commented.
"Based on my background, having a typically British tutor from early childhood will not automatically create the result they want.
"I did not have such a tutor, and yet I have been fortunate enough to live several of the situations they aspire for their son."
He added: "The truth is, personal identity should not be forced from the outside influences; it must be embraced, and it must be internally driven."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, Britishness is something Adam hopes can be instructed – and commercialized.
"I think the fact that the world holds us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
