"A family based in the northern part of London seeks an extraordinary and skilled instructor to assist their smallest child on his initial journey to turning into an English gentleman."
When reading this listing, you might readily overlook the term "first-steps" as just a turn of phrase.
Yet, it might be the most significant aspect of this distinctive position posting, as it seeks to find a mentor for a one-year-old.
Hundreds of applications have now been submitted since the anonymous family posted their search for the highly paid tutor, who needs to be "a uniquely qualified person".
During the past few weeks, the advert has attracted attention throughout the press, with several questioning why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, chief executive of a global tutoring firm, which is assisting the family in their search, stated that in spite of early scepticism, he found the plan "forward-looking", and "innovative".
When he met the family, he mentioned they recognized the unconventional aspect of their requirement, and how immature their son is.
Nevertheless, 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 point "cultural influence had already set in".
But what did the family refer to by "cultural bias"?
It's "comprehensive", the expert answered. "The manner you eat, how you speak".
He explained the older sibling had adopted "very nuanced, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had assumed their cultural habits. The family told him they did not want this pattern to happen again with their infant.
The plan: To bring in a English tutor, who needs to speak with RP, to shape the baby from the very start.
Osmotic Learning
"Much of the learning at the start here is rather osmotic," explained the CEO.
It's through this subtle influence that the family are hoping the child will pick up the UK customs they aim to cultivate.
Adam said the tutor must be someone who went to "the right kinds of schools – the same kinds of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The tutor must be the right kind of person, they'll be doing things they don't even know they're doing, just naturally," he said.
Cost Not Relevant
The family explained to Adam the selected educator should ideally also have understanding of or passion in equestrian activities, alpine skiing, the arts and instrumental training so as to inspire the child in a wide range of interests.
Additionally though, he said the family desired the tutor to enrol the child on a selection of classes so the child would be "pony-riding and picking up an instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's perspective, guiding their son develop into a "English gentleman" will lead to accomplishment and provide access.
"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's certainly a status symbol," he comments.
But, in spite of all this guidance in "English culture", might the child absorb alleged cultural leaning from the multicultural family he lives with regardless?
"Certainly", replied he. "The parents know this could fail, but they've merely embraced the attitude 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.
Impractical
A number of in the tutoring industry who share similar doubts.
Another CEO, chief executive of an educational organization, who supplies personal educators, commented that "the process of adopting dual cultures, or in fact, becoming oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not manufactured."
The expert noted that he had moved from the Far East to the Britain at the period of 7 years old, and had been educated knowing and embodying dual heritages. He progressed to study at the University of Cambridge.
"The notion that an individual can act as a representation of UK identity, a person who can in some way transfer the qualities of a British gentleman upon a 12-month-old child, seems to me naive and impractical," he commented.
"Based on my background, having a typically UK tutor from early childhood will does not necessarily produce the outcome they hope for.
"I did not have such a tutor, and yet I have been privileged enough to enjoy several of the experiences they desire for their son."
He continued: "The fact is, cultural identity can not be imposed from the external environment; it must be chosen, and it must come from within."
Acquiring Englishness
Certainly, English culture is something Adam hopes can be educated – and marketed.
"In my view the situation that the international society holds us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
