"A family residing in north London is looking for an remarkable and experienced educator to support their smallest child on his early path to turning into an British gentleman."
When reading this post, you might easily miss the wording "initial stages" as mere an expression.
However, it could be the most important element of this unusual job advert, as it attempts to find a teacher for a 12-month-old.
Many of submissions have now been sent in since the unnamed family posted their search for the £180k-a-year tutor, who needs to be "an exceptional individual".
During the past few weeks, the advert has received attention throughout the media, with numerous asking why?
Progressive Approach
The CEO, chief executive of an education consultancy, which is supporting the family in their hunt, said that in spite of initial skepticism, he viewed the concept "forward-looking", and "progressive".
When he consulted the family, he mentioned they understood the unusual aspect of their request, and how early in age their son is.
Nevertheless, they explained that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had postponed until their firstborn was five, and by that stage "cultural conditioning had already set in".
But what does the family refer to by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "everything", he replied. "The manner you eat, the way you speak".
He said the older sibling had picked up "very nuanced, unspoken signals" from the family, and had adopted their cultural habits. The family informed him they wished to avoid history to recur with their infant.
The strategy: To hire a British tutor, who should speak with RP, to influence the baby from the very start.
Subtle Influence
"Much of the education at the outset here is somewhat osmotic," stated the CEO.
It's through this osmosis that the family are hoping the child will pick up the UK customs they aim to instil.
Adam explained the tutor must be an individual who studied at "the appropriate educational institutions – the same kinds of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The educator simply needs to be the suitable individual, they'll be performing things they don't even know they're doing, just naturally," he added.
Expense Not a Factor
The family told him the chosen tutor should ideally also have knowledge of or interest in riding, alpine skiing, creative fields and instrumental training so as to shape the child in a diverse set of interests.
Furthermore though, he stated the family wanted the tutor to register the child on a range of classes 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 perspective, assisting their son become a "English gentleman" will bring about success and open doors.
"Taking into account the rights and wrongs of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he comments.
Yet, despite all this tutelage in "English culture", might the child absorb what is termed cultural bias from the globally influenced family he lives with regardless?
"Absolutely", replied he. "They know this might not succeed, but they've simply adopted the attitude of, 'why not attempt it and we should start as soon as we can', because the expense of it is not relevant," he stated.
Impractical
Several in the private teaching field who share similar concerns.
Another CEO, head and founder of Blue Education, who also offer private tutors, commented that "the process of embracing two identities, or in fact, discovering oneself, is something that must be grown into, not designed."
He noted that he had emigrated from the Far East to the Britain at the time of 7 years old, and had been raised understanding and embodying both cultures. He went on to be educated at Cambridge University.
"The notion that a single person can serve as a representation of Britishness, someone who can somehow transplant the characteristics of a English gentleman onto a 12-month-old child, appears idealistic and unrealistic," he stated.
"Based on my background, employing a typically UK tutor from babyhood will does not automatically create the outcome they want.
"I did not have such a figure, and however I have been privileged enough to enjoy numerous of the situations they hope for their son."
He added: "The truth is, cultural identity can not be dictated from the outside; it must be embraced, and it must be internally driven."
Acquiring Englishness
Of course, Britishness is something the expert believes can be instructed – and commercialized.
"I believe the situation that the international society views us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
