"A family based in North London is looking for an remarkable and experienced tutor to assist their smallest child on his early path to growing into an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this advertisement, you might readily overlook the term "first-steps" as simple an expression.
But, it may be the most significant part of this distinctive position posting, as it attempts to hire a mentor for a infant.
Hundreds of applications have already been sent in since the unnamed family posted their search for the £180k-a-year tutor, who needs to be "someone very special".
In recent few weeks, the post has received notice in the news, with numerous asking why?
Innovative Idea
The CEO, head and founder of an education consultancy, which is assisting the family in their search, stated that in spite of first scepticism, he viewed the plan "visionary", and "innovative".
When he spoke with the family, he mentioned they appreciated the unconventional nature of their requirement, and how young their son is.
But, they stated that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had waited until their firstborn was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had already taken hold".
What exactly did the family indicate by "cultural leaning"?
It's "comprehensive", the expert responded. "The manner you eat, the way you speak".
He said the older sibling had adopted "extremely delicate, unspoken signals" from the family, and had adopted their cultural habits. The family told Adam they wished to avoid this pattern to repeat itself with their new baby.
The plan: To bring in a UK tutor, who should speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby right from the beginning.
Osmotic Learning
"A lot of the education at the outset here is somewhat absorbed naturally," stated the CEO.
It's through this osmosis that the family are aiming the child will acquire the British traits they aim to instil.
The consultant explained the tutor needed to be someone who went to "prestigious academies – similar types of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The tutor must be the suitable individual, they'll be doing things they don't even know they're doing, effortlessly," he added.
Money No Object
The family informed him the successful candidate should ideally also have familiarity of or interest in riding, winter sports, creative fields and music so as to influence the child in a wide range of interests.
Additionally though, he stated the family desired the tutor to sign up the child on a range of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and learning an musical instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's perspective, guiding their son develop into a "British gentleman" will lead to achievement and create opportunities.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a social class indicator," he adds.
However, notwithstanding all this guidance in "English culture", could the child absorb alleged cultural leaning from the international family he is raised by in any case?
"Certainly", said the CEO. "The parents understand this might not succeed, but they've just taken the view of, 'why not attempt it and we'll proceed as soon as we can', because the expense of it is not a concern," he said.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
Several in the private teaching field who share similar reservations.
Peter Cui, head and founder of Blue Education, who provides personal educators, commented that "the development of embracing two identities, or actually, forming one's identity, is something that must be experienced personally, not manufactured."
He wrote that he had emigrated from the Far East to the United Kingdom at the time of 7 years old, and had been brought up experiencing and practicing dual heritages. He went on to be educated at Cambridge University.
"The idea that a single person can function as a representation of English culture, someone who can possibly impart the qualities of a British gentleman to a one-year-old child, strikes me as naive and unfeasible," he wrote.
"Based on my background, having a typically UK tutor from early childhood will does not necessarily create the outcome they want.
"I never had such a tutor, and nevertheless I have been privileged enough to experience several of the experiences they hope for their son."
He stated: "The truth is, personal identity can not be dictated from the external environment; it must be chosen, and it must be internally driven."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, English culture is something the CEO hopes can be instructed – and commercialized.
"In my view the situation that the world holds us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
