"A family based in north London is looking for an exceptional and skilled educator to guide their youngest child on his first steps to growing into an British gentleman."
When reading this post, you might naturally overlook the wording "initial stages" as mere figurative language.
However, it might be the most important part of this unusual job advert, as it aims to hire a teacher for a one-year-old.
Numerous of submissions have since been received since the unnamed family published their search for the highly paid tutor, who must be "a uniquely qualified person".
During the past few weeks, the post has attracted attention throughout the press, with many asking why?
Progressive Approach
The CEO, chief executive of an education consultancy, which is assisting the family in their hunt, stated that in spite of early doubt, he found the idea "visionary", and "advanced".
When he met the family, he said they recognized the unconventional character of their requirement, and how young their son is.
Nevertheless, they clarified that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to get a tutor, as they had waited until their firstborn was five, and by that stage "cultural conditioning had already set in".
What exactly does the family mean by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "all-encompassing", he answered. "The way you eat, the way you speak".
He stated the older sibling had adopted "very nuanced, body language" from the family, and had adopted their cultural ways. The family explained to Adam they wished to avoid history to repeat itself with their new baby.
The strategy: To engage a English tutor, who should speak with RP, to influence the baby from the very start.
Subtle Influence
"A great deal of the development at the beginning here is rather osmotic," said the CEO.
It's through this subtle influence that the family are hoping the child will pick up the UK customs they wish to cultivate.
The consultant explained the tutor must be someone who attended "the appropriate educational institutions – comparable categories of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The educator just has to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, just naturally," he added.
Expense Not a Factor
The family told him the successful candidate should preferably also have knowledge of or enthusiasm in riding, alpine skiing, the arts and music so as to influence the child in a broad spectrum of hobbies.
Additionally though, he explained the family wanted the tutor to sign up the child on a range of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and starting an musical instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's minds, helping their son grow into a "UK sophisticate" will bring about achievement and open doors.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's certainly a class statement," he comments.
Yet, in spite of all this instruction in "UK identity", would the child adopt what is termed cultural leaning from the multicultural family he resides with anyway?
"Absolutely", answered he. "The parents realize this might not succeed, but they've just taken the attitude of, 'why not attempt it and we'll proceed as soon as we can', because the expense of it is irrelevant," he stated.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
Several in the private teaching field who have similar doubts.
Peter Cui, chief executive of a tutoring service, who also offer personal educators, stated that "the development of becoming bicultural, or indeed, forming one's identity, is something that must be grown into, not designed."
He explained that he had emigrated from Asia to the UK at the time of 7 years old, and had been educated experiencing and living both cultures. He continued to be educated at the University of Cambridge.
"The idea that one individual can function as a living vessel of English culture, an individual who can in some way transfer the qualities of a UK sophisticate to a 12-month-old child, strikes me as idealistic and unfeasible," he wrote.
"Based on my background, employing a quintessentially English tutor from early childhood will not automatically create the outcome they desire.
"I never had that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been lucky enough to live many of the opportunities they hope for their son."
He added: "The fact is, cultural identity can not be dictated from the outside influences; it must be embraced, and it must come from within."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, English culture is something Adam thinks can be taught – and marketed.
"I think the situation that the global community regards us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
