"Parents residing in North London wants to find an remarkable and qualified instructor to assist their most junior child on his early path to turning into an British gentleman."
When reading this listing, you might naturally skip the phrase "initial stages" as mere a turn of phrase.
But, it may be the most important part of this unique position posting, as it attempts to recruit a mentor for a infant.
Many of applications have already been submitted since the unnamed family posted their search for the highly paid tutor, who has to be "an exceptional individual".
Over the last few weeks, the post has attracted interest throughout the press, with several wondering why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is assisting the family in their quest, stated that notwithstanding early scepticism, he found the plan "far sighted", and "progressive".
When he met the family, he mentioned they recognized the unconventional character of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
But, they clarified that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had held off until their elder sibling was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had by then set in".
What exactly does the family indicate by "cultural bias"?
It's "all-encompassing", he replied. "The way you eat, how you speak".
He said the older sibling had picked up "extremely delicate, unspoken signals" from the family, and had assumed their cultural habits. The family told him they wished to avoid the same situation to happen again with their younger child.
The intention: To bring in a English tutor, who must speak with Received Pronunciation, to guide the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"A great deal of the development at the start here is kind of osmotic," explained the expert.
It's by means of this osmosis that the family are expecting the child will pick up the English characteristics they aim to instil.
The consultant explained the tutor had to be somebody who studied at "prestigious academies – the same kinds of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The tutor just has to be the suitable individual, they'll be doing things they don't even know they're doing, just naturally," he commented.
Money No Object
The family explained to him the chosen tutor should preferably also have familiarity of or interest in equestrian activities, winter sports, artistic pursuits and instrumental training so as to inspire the child in a broad spectrum of passions.
Furthermore though, he explained the family wanted the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and picking up an musical instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's view, guiding their son become a "English gentleman" will lead to achievement and provide access.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's certainly a social class indicator," he comments.
But, despite all this tutelage in "UK identity", might the child pick up alleged cultural bias from the globally influenced family he lives with anyway?
"Absolutely", replied the CEO. "The parents realize this might not succeed, but they've simply adopted the perspective of, 'let's give it a go and we should start as quickly as we can', because the cost of it is not a concern," he said.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
There are some in the education sector who express these doubts.
Peter Cui, head and founder of Blue Education, who also offer individual instructors, stated that "the development of embracing two identities, or indeed, forming one's identity, is something that must be experienced personally, not designed."
He explained that he had relocated from China to the UK at the time of seven, and had been brought up knowing and living two backgrounds. He went on to be educated at the University of Cambridge.
"The notion that a single person can function as a living vessel of Britishness, a person who can in some way impart the characteristics of a UK sophisticate to a 12-month-old child, seems to me idealistic and impractical," he commented.
"In my experience, employing a distinctly UK tutor from early childhood will not automatically produce the outcome they hope for.
"I never had that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been fortunate enough to live many of the opportunities they hope for their son."
He continued: "The fact is, self-identity can not be forced from the outside influences; it must be chosen, and it must originate internally."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, Britishness is something Adam hopes can be instructed – and commercialized.
"In my view the fact that the international society regards us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
