"A household based in the northern part of London wants to find an exceptional and experienced instructor to support their smallest child on his initial journey to growing into an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this advertisement, you might readily skip the wording "beginning" as mere figurative language.
However, it could be the most significant aspect of this unusual position posting, as it seeks to hire a mentor for a one-year-old.
Hundreds of applications have already been sent in since the anonymous family posted their request for the highly paid tutor, who has to be "an exceptional individual".
During the past few weeks, the post has received interest across the news, with several asking why?
Progressive Approach
A tutoring expert, CEO and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is assisting the family in their hunt, explained that despite first doubt, he considered the concept "visionary", and "advanced".
When he met the family, he mentioned they understood the unconventional aspect of their request, and how young their son is.
But, they stated that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had waited until their older child was five, and by that stage "cultural bias had already set in".
But what did the family mean by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "all-encompassing", he answered. "How you eat, the manner you speak".
He said the firstborn had absorbed "really subtle, body language" from the family, and had assumed their cultural ways. The family explained to the consultant they wished to avoid this pattern to recur with their new baby.
The intention: To hire a English tutor, who must speak with RP, to influence the baby from the very start.
Subtle Influence
"Much of the education at the outset here is somewhat acquired indirectly," explained Adam.
It's via this osmosis that the family are hoping the child will acquire the English characteristics they want to cultivate.
The consultant said the tutor had to be somebody who attended "the appropriate educational institutions – 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 carrying out things they aren't even aware they're doing, simply by nature," he added.
Expense Not a Factor
The family told Adam the chosen tutor should preferably also have familiarity of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, alpine skiing, creative fields and music so as to inspire the child in a broad spectrum of interests.
Furthermore though, he stated the family wanted the tutor to register the child on a range of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and starting an tool by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's view, guiding their son become a "British gentleman" will bring about achievement and provide access.
"Taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he notes.
Yet, in spite of all this instruction in "Britishness", might the child absorb alleged cultural bias from the international family he is raised by regardless?
"Certainly", answered Adam. "The parents know this may not work, but they've merely embraced the view of, 'we should try and we'll proceed as quickly as we can', because the cost of it is not a concern," he said.
Impractical
Several in the private teaching field who express similar doubts.
Another CEO, head and founder of an educational organization, who also offer individual instructors, commented that "the journey of embracing two identities, or actually, forming one's identity, is something that must be lived into, not engineered."
Peter explained that he had emigrated from Asia to the UK at the time of 7 years old, and had been raised knowing and living dual heritages. He continued to study at a prestigious UK institution.
"The notion that one individual can act as a living vessel of English culture, a person who can in some way impart the characteristics of a English gentleman onto a infant child, appears naive and unfeasible," he wrote.
"Based on my background, having a quintessentially UK tutor from early childhood will will not necessarily produce the goal they want.
"I never had that kind of mentor, and yet I have been fortunate enough to enjoy numerous of the situations they aspire for their son."
He continued: "The truth is, personal identity can not be imposed from the external environment; it must be embraced, and it must originate internally."
Acquiring Englishness
Certainly, UK identity is something the CEO believes can be taught – and sold.
"In my view the reality that the international society regards us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
