"A family located in north London is looking for an exceptional and qualified tutor to guide their smallest child on his early path to becoming an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this listing, you might naturally skip the wording "initial stages" as just an expression.
Yet, it might be the most significant part of this unique position posting, as it attempts to hire a teacher for a infant.
Numerous of responses have already been sent in since the anonymous family published their request for the £180k-a-year tutor, who needs to be "a uniquely qualified person".
During the past few weeks, the listing has gained interest in the media, with many wondering why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, chief executive of a global tutoring firm, which is helping the family in their quest, said that notwithstanding initial skepticism, he considered the plan "visionary", and "progressive".
When he consulted the family, he mentioned they appreciated the unusual aspect of their demand, and how early in age their son is.
But, they explained that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had waited until their elder sibling was five, and by that point "cultural conditioning had already become established".
What exactly did the family mean by "cultural bias"?
It's "everything", the expert replied. "The way you eat, the manner you speak".
He said the firstborn had picked up "really subtle, unspoken signals" from the family, and had assumed their cultural norms. The family explained to Adam they hoped to prevent this pattern to repeat itself with their infant.
The plan: To hire a UK tutor, who must speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"A great deal of the education at the beginning here is kind of absorbed naturally," stated Adam.
It's through this natural absorption that the family are aiming the child will acquire the English characteristics they want to instil.
He explained the tutor needed to be somebody who went to "prestigious academies – similar types of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The educator just has to be the right kind of person, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, just naturally," he commented.
Money No Object
The family explained to him the selected educator should preferably also have understanding of or enthusiasm in horse riding, skiing, the arts and musical activities so as to inspire the child in a wide range of interests.
Additionally though, he explained the family desired the tutor to enrol the child on a variety of classes so the child would be "equestrian training and starting an instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's perspective, assisting their son grow into a "UK sophisticate" will lead to achievement and create opportunities.
"Taking into account the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a social class indicator," he adds.
However, in spite of all this tutelage in "Britishness", would the child adopt what is termed cultural influence from the globally influenced family he lives with in any case?
"Certainly", replied Adam. "The family know this might not succeed, but they've just taken the view of, 'let's give it a go and we should start as soon as we can', because the expense of it is not relevant," he said.
Overly Optimistic
There are some in the education sector who have similar concerns.
An education leader, head and founder of an educational organization, who supplies personal educators, commented that "the process of embracing two identities, or actually, discovering oneself, is something that must be lived into, not designed."
Peter wrote that he had emigrated from Asia to the Britain at the age of childhood, and had been educated understanding and embodying two backgrounds. He progressed to learn at the University of Cambridge.
"The notion that a single person can function as a representation of UK identity, an individual who can possibly impart the attributes of a UK sophisticate upon a 12-month-old child, appears naive and impractical," he stated.
"Based on my background, having a typically UK tutor from early childhood will does not instantly achieve 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 desire for their son."
He stated: "The fact is, personal identity should not be imposed from the external environment; it must be chosen, and it must originate internally."
Purchasing UK Culture
Naturally, English culture is something the CEO believes can be educated – and marketed.
"In my view the situation that the world holds us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
