"A family based in the northern part of London seeks an exceptional and skilled educator to support their smallest child on his initial journey to turning into an British gentleman."
Looking at this advertisement, you might easily miss the phrase "first-steps" as mere an expression.
But, it could be the most important element of this unique employment listing, as it seeks to hire a mentor for a infant.
Hundreds of responses have already been received since the unnamed family published their request for the £180k-a-year tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".
In recent few weeks, the advert has received interest throughout the press, with many wondering why?
Forward-Thinking Method
The CEO, CEO and founder of an education consultancy, which is helping the family in their quest, stated that notwithstanding first scepticism, he viewed the idea "far sighted", and "innovative".
When he spoke with the family, he mentioned they recognized the atypical 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 held off until their older child was five, and by that age "cultural bias had by then taken hold".
But what did the family refer to by "cultural bias"?
It's "comprehensive", he replied. "The manner you eat, how you speak".
He explained the older sibling had adopted "really subtle, unspoken signals" from the family, and had taken on their cultural norms. The family explained to Adam they wished to avoid the same situation to recur with their infant.
The plan: To hire a British tutor, who should speak with RP, to shape the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"A great deal of the education at the start here is kind of acquired indirectly," explained the CEO.
It's by means of this osmosis that the family are aiming the child will acquire the UK customs they wish to impart.
Adam noted the tutor needed to be an individual who went to "the appropriate educational institutions – comparable categories of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The educator simply needs to be the right kind of person, they'll be performing things they aren't even aware they're doing, effortlessly," he commented.
Cost Not Relevant
The family informed him the successful candidate should ideally also have understanding of or interest in equestrian activities, winter sports, creative fields and music so as to shape the child in a wide range of interests.
Additionally though, he said the family wanted the tutor to register the child on a range of classes so the child would be "equestrian training and picking up an tool by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's minds, assisting their son grow into a "British gentleman" will lead to success and provide access.
"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's definitely a social class indicator," he adds.
But, notwithstanding all this instruction in "UK identity", might the child pick up what is termed cultural influence from the international family he lives with in any case?
"Certainly", replied the CEO. "The parents realize this might not succeed, but they've simply adopted the perspective of, 'why not attempt it and let's go as early as we can', because the cost of it is not a concern," he explained.
Impractical
There are some in the tutoring industry who express similar reservations.
Peter Cui, head and founder of Blue Education, who also offer personal educators, commented that "the process of embracing two identities, or in fact, becoming oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not manufactured."
He noted that he had emigrated from the Far East to the Britain at the age of seven, and had been educated understanding and practicing both cultures. He progressed to learn at a prestigious UK institution.
"The concept that an individual can act as a living vessel of English culture, an individual who can somehow impart the qualities of a UK sophisticate upon a one-year-old child, appears idealistic and unrealistic," he stated.
"From my perspective, having a typically British tutor from early childhood will does not necessarily create the goal they want.
"I did not have such a tutor, and however I have been lucky enough to enjoy many of the situations they hope for their son."
He stated: "The reality is, cultural identity should not be dictated from the external environment; it must be embraced, and it must come from within."
Purchasing UK Culture
Naturally, Britishness is something the CEO hopes can be taught – and marketed.
"I believe the situation that the international society holds us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
