"Parents located in the northern part of London wants to find an remarkable and experienced tutor to guide their youngest child on his early path to growing into an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this post, you might naturally skip the wording "initial stages" as mere figurative language.
However, it may be the most significant part of this unusual job advert, as it aims to recruit a tutor for a infant.
Numerous of applications have since been received since the unnamed family advertised their request for the £180,000 per year tutor, who must be "someone very special".
Over the last few weeks, the listing has gained notice throughout the news, with several wondering why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of Tutors International, which is assisting the family in their search, stated that despite first doubt, he found the idea "far sighted", and "progressive".
When he spoke with the family, he noted they understood the unusual nature of their demand, and how young their son is.
But, they explained that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to get a tutor, as they had postponed until their elder sibling was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had already set in".
What exactly does the family refer to by "cultural leaning"?
It's "comprehensive", he replied. "The manner you eat, the manner you speak".
He said the older sibling had picked up "really subtle, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had taken on their cultural norms. The family explained to the consultant they wished to avoid history to happen again with their younger child.
The intention: To engage a British tutor, who should speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby from the very start.
Subtle Influence
"Much of the development at the start here is somewhat absorbed naturally," explained the CEO.
It's via this subtle influence that the family are hoping the child will pick up the English characteristics they want to instil.
The consultant explained the tutor had to be somebody who attended "the right kinds of schools – comparable categories of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The instructor must be the suitable individual, they'll be doing things they don't even know they're doing, simply by nature," he said.
Expense Not a Factor
The family informed Adam the selected educator should ideally also have knowledge of or passion in riding, winter sports, the arts and musical activities so as to inspire the child in a broad spectrum of interests.
Furthermore though, he said the family wanted the tutor to register the child on a selection of lessons so the child would be "horseback riding and picking up an instrument by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's perspective, guiding their son grow into a "UK sophisticate" will result in achievement and create opportunities.
"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's definitely a social class indicator," he comments.
Yet, despite all this guidance in "English culture", could the child absorb what is termed cultural leaning from the multicultural family he lives with in any case?
"Yes", answered Adam. "The family know this may not work, but they've merely embraced the view of, 'let's give it a go and we should start as early as we can', because the price of it is irrelevant," he explained.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
There are some in the tutoring industry who express these reservations.
Another CEO, chief executive of a tutoring service, who provides personal educators, stated that "the development of embracing two identities, or actually, forming one's identity, is something that must be grown into, not designed."
Peter explained that he had emigrated from China to the United Kingdom at the period of 7 years old, and had been educated knowing and embodying dual heritages. He progressed to learn at the University of Cambridge.
"The concept that a single person can act as a living vessel of English culture, someone who can possibly transfer the characteristics of a English gentleman to a infant child, appears idealistic and impractical," he stated.
"In my experience, engaging a distinctly British tutor from early childhood will will not instantly achieve the goal they hope for.
"I wasn't provided with such a tutor, and nevertheless I have been privileged enough to enjoy numerous of the situations they hope for their son."
He added: "The reality is, self-identity cannot be forced from the external environment; it must be selected, and it must be internally driven."
Acquiring Englishness
Of course, UK identity is something the CEO thinks can be taught – and commercialized.
"I think the fact that the international society views us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
