"Parents residing in North London is looking for an exceptional and skilled educator to support their most junior child on his early path to growing into an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this advertisement, you might naturally overlook the wording "first-steps" as just figurative language.
However, it may be the crucial aspect of this unique job advert, as it aims to recruit a teacher for a one-year-old.
Many of responses have already been received since the unidentified family posted their request for the £180,000 per year tutor, who must be "a uniquely qualified person".
In recent few weeks, the advert has gained interest throughout the press, with numerous questioning why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, head and founder of Tutors International, which is helping the family in their quest, stated that in spite of first scepticism, he considered the concept "forward-looking", and "progressive".
When he consulted the family, he mentioned they recognized the unusual character of their demand, and how young their son is.
But, they stated that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had held off until their older child was five, and by that point "cultural influence had already taken hold".
But what does the family refer to by "cultural leaning"?
It's "everything", the expert answered. "How you eat, the way you speak".
He said the elder child had picked up "extremely delicate, body language" from the family, and had adopted their cultural habits. The family informed the consultant they did not want this pattern to happen again with their new baby.
The plan: To hire a British tutor, who should speak with Received Pronunciation, to influence the baby from day one.
Subtle Influence
"Much of the development at the beginning here is somewhat absorbed naturally," said Adam.
It's by means of this osmosis that the family are expecting the child will acquire the UK customs they aim to impart.
The consultant said the tutor had to be an individual who attended "the appropriate educational institutions – the same kinds of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The tutor just has to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be performing things they may not realize they're doing, effortlessly," he commented.
Cost Not Relevant
The family explained to Adam the selected educator should ideally also have understanding of or passion in riding, skiing, the arts and music so as to inspire the child in a broad spectrum of hobbies.
Furthermore though, he explained the family desired the tutor to register the child on a variety of lessons so the child would be "pony-riding and starting an instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's minds, helping their son grow into a "UK sophisticate" will bring about accomplishment and open doors.
"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's undoubtedly a class statement," he notes.
But, notwithstanding all this guidance in "UK identity", would the child pick up what is termed cultural bias from the globally influenced family he is raised by regardless?
"Absolutely", replied Adam. "The parents know this may not work, but they've just taken the view of, 'let's give it a go and we'll proceed as early as we can', because the expense of it is not a concern," he said.
Impractical
A number of in the tutoring industry who have those concerns.
Peter Cui, head and founder of an educational organization, who also offer individual instructors, stated that "the journey of adopting dual cultures, or in fact, forming one's identity, is something that must be lived into, not designed."
Peter noted that he had emigrated from the Far East to the United Kingdom at the period of 7 years old, and had been brought up experiencing and living dual heritages. He went on to learn at Cambridge University.
"The notion that one individual can act as a representation of English culture, a person who can somehow impart the attributes of a English gentleman to a one-year-old child, seems to me idealistic and unfeasible," he commented.
"In my experience, having a quintessentially English tutor from babyhood will does not automatically create the goal they want.
"I never had that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been privileged enough to enjoy several of the situations they aspire for their son."
He continued: "The fact is, self-identity should not be imposed from the outside influences; it must be chosen, and it must come from within."
Purchasing UK Culture
Certainly, English culture is something the expert hopes can be taught – and marketed.
"I believe the situation that the world holds us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
