"Parents based in North London is looking for an remarkable and experienced tutor to assist their youngest child on his initial journey to turning into an British gentleman."
When reading this post, you might naturally skip the term "beginning" as just a turn of phrase.
However, it may be the most significant part of this unusual position posting, as it seeks to find a mentor for a 12-month-old.
Hundreds of responses have now been submitted since the anonymous family published their search for the highly paid tutor, who needs to be "a uniquely qualified person".
During the past few weeks, the advert has gained notice in the news, with many asking why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, chief executive of a global tutoring firm, which is assisting the family in their search, said that in spite of early scepticism, he viewed the concept "visionary", and "advanced".
When he spoke with the family, he noted they appreciated the unusual aspect of their demand, and how young their son is.
But, they stated that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to get a tutor, as they had postponed until their older child was five, and by that age "cultural bias had already set in".
What precisely did the family refer to by "cultural leaning"?
It's "all-encompassing", he responded. "How you eat, the manner you speak".
He said the older sibling had adopted "extremely delicate, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had adopted their cultural norms. The family explained to him they hoped to prevent the same situation to recur with their infant.
The strategy: To bring in a UK tutor, who should speak with RP, to influence the baby right from the beginning.
Natural Absorption
"Much of the development at the beginning here is somewhat absorbed naturally," explained the expert.
It's via this natural absorption that the family are hoping the child will acquire the British traits they aim to cultivate.
Adam explained the tutor must be someone who attended "the appropriate educational institutions – similar types of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The educator just has to be the suitable individual, they'll be performing things they don't even know they're doing, simply by nature," he added.
Cost Not Relevant
The family explained to him the selected educator should ideally also have knowledge of or passion in equestrian activities, alpine skiing, the arts and music so as to inspire the child in a wide range of passions.
More than that though, he explained the family wanted the tutor to sign up the child on a range of courses so the child would be "pony-riding and starting an musical instrument by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's minds, helping their son develop into a "English gentleman" will result in accomplishment and open doors.
"For all the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he comments.
Yet, in spite of all this instruction in "UK identity", could the child adopt what is termed cultural influence from the multicultural family he lives with regardless?
"Yes", answered the CEO. "The parents realize this might not succeed, but they've just taken the attitude of, 'why not attempt it and let's go as soon as we can', because the expense of it is irrelevant," he said.
Overly Optimistic
A number of in the tutoring industry who share those doubts.
An education leader, chief executive of Blue Education, who provides private tutors, stated that "the journey of embracing two identities, or in fact, discovering oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not manufactured."
He explained that he had emigrated from China to the Britain at the age of childhood, and had been brought up knowing and embodying two backgrounds. He continued to learn at a prestigious UK institution.
"The notion that an individual can serve as a representation of English culture, someone who can somehow transfer the characteristics of a British gentleman upon a infant child, strikes me as idealistic and impractical," he commented.
"Based on my background, having a typically UK tutor from early childhood will does not instantly create the goal they desire.
"I never had such a figure, and however I have been fortunate enough to enjoy numerous of the opportunities they aspire for their son."
He stated: "The fact is, personal identity cannot be dictated from the external environment; it must be chosen, and it must come from within."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, English culture is something the CEO believes can be taught – and commercialized.
"I believe the situation that the global community holds us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
