"A family based in north London wants to find an exceptional and skilled educator to assist their smallest child on his first steps to growing into an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this listing, you might naturally overlook the term "beginning" as simple a turn of phrase.
However, it might be the most important aspect of this distinctive position posting, as it seeks to find a teacher for a one-year-old.
Many of applications have now been sent in since the anonymous family advertised their call for the highly paid tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".
Over the last few weeks, the listing has gained interest across the press, with several wondering why?
Progressive Approach
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is supporting the family in their hunt, explained that notwithstanding initial scepticism, he found the idea "far sighted", and "innovative".
When he consulted the family, he noted they appreciated the unusual nature of their request, and how early in age their son is.
Nevertheless, 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 age "cultural conditioning had by then taken hold".
But what did the family mean by "cultural leaning"?
It's "comprehensive", Adam responded. "The manner you eat, the way you speak".
He said the firstborn had absorbed "extremely delicate, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had taken on their cultural habits. The family explained to him they wished to avoid this pattern to repeat itself with their new baby.
The plan: To hire a English tutor, who needs to speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby from the very start.
Natural Absorption
"A great deal of the learning at the beginning here is somewhat acquired indirectly," said the CEO.
It's by means of this subtle influence that the family are hoping the child will adopt the British traits they wish to cultivate.
He noted the tutor had to be someone who studied at "prestigious academies – comparable categories of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The instructor must be the appropriate candidate, they'll be performing things they aren't even aware they're doing, just naturally," he added.
Cost Not Relevant
The family explained to Adam the successful candidate should preferably also have understanding of or interest in horse riding, winter sports, the arts and instrumental training so as to inspire the child in a wide range of hobbies.
More than that though, he said the family hoped the tutor to enrol the child on a selection of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and picking up an instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's minds, assisting their son grow into a "English gentleman" will bring about success and create opportunities.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's undoubtedly a social class indicator," he notes.
But, in spite of all this tutelage in "English culture", might the child adopt what is termed cultural leaning from the international family he is raised by in any case?
"Absolutely", answered he. "The parents know this might not succeed, but they've simply adopted the view of, 'let's give it a go and we'll proceed as early as we can', because the price of it is not a concern," he stated.
Overly Optimistic
Several in the education sector who have these reservations.
Peter Cui, CEO and founder of an educational organization, who supplies personal educators, stated that "the process of becoming bicultural, or in fact, forming one's identity, is something that must be experienced personally, not manufactured."
Peter wrote that he had relocated from China to the United Kingdom at the age of childhood, and had been raised knowing and embodying dual heritages. He went on to learn at Cambridge University.
"The idea that an individual can function as a living vessel of UK identity, someone who can possibly impart the characteristics of a English gentleman to a infant child, strikes me as idealistic and unfeasible," he stated.
"Based on my background, employing a quintessentially English tutor from early childhood will not automatically create the outcome they desire.
"I did not have such a tutor, and however I have been privileged enough to live many of the situations they hope for their son."
He continued: "The reality is, cultural identity cannot be imposed from the external environment; it must be chosen, and it must come from within."
Acquiring Englishness
Of course, English culture is something Adam hopes can be educated – and commercialized.
"I believe the fact that the global community views us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
