"A family based in north London is looking for an extraordinary and experienced educator to support their most junior child on his first steps to turning into an English gentleman."
Looking at this listing, you might readily skip the phrase "initial stages" as simple an expression.
However, it could be the most important element of this unique position posting, as it seeks to find a tutor for a infant.
Hundreds of applications have since been submitted since the anonymous family advertised their request for the highly paid tutor, who needs to be "a uniquely qualified person".
Over the last few weeks, the post has attracted attention across the media, with many wondering why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, chief executive of Tutors International, which is supporting the family in their hunt, said that notwithstanding first doubt, he found the concept "visionary", and "advanced".
When he consulted the family, he said they understood the unconventional character of their requirement, and how young their son is.
However, they explained that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had held off until their firstborn was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had by then become established".
What precisely did the family mean by "cultural leaning"?
It's "all-encompassing", Adam replied. "The manner you eat, the manner you speak".
He stated the elder child had picked up "really subtle, body language" from the family, and had adopted their cultural habits. The family explained to him they did not want history to happen again with their younger child.
The strategy: To engage a British tutor, who should speak with RP, to influence the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"Much of the development at the beginning here is rather absorbed naturally," explained Adam.
It's via this subtle influence that the family are hoping the child will acquire the UK customs they wish to impart.
The consultant noted the tutor needed to be someone who went to "the right kinds of schools – similar types of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The instructor must be the appropriate candidate, they'll be carrying out things they may not realize they're doing, just naturally," he commented.
Money No Object
The family told him the chosen tutor should ideally also have knowledge of or enthusiasm in riding, alpine skiing, creative fields and musical activities so as to shape the child in a wide range of interests.
Furthermore though, he explained the family hoped the tutor to register the child on a selection of classes so the child would be "horseback riding and learning an tool by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's minds, helping their son become a "British gentleman" will bring about success and provide access.
"Taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's certainly a social class indicator," he adds.
But, despite all this instruction in "English culture", could the child pick up alleged cultural influence from the multicultural family he resides with in any case?
"Absolutely", answered the CEO. "The parents know this may not work, but they've just taken the perspective of, 'why not attempt it and we'll proceed as quickly as we can', because the price of it is not relevant," he explained.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
There are some in the private teaching field who have those doubts.
Peter Cui, head and founder of Blue Education, who also offer personal educators, wrote that "the development of becoming bicultural, or indeed, discovering oneself, is something that must be grown into, not manufactured."
He noted that he had moved from Asia to the UK at the time of seven, and had been brought up experiencing and embodying two backgrounds. He went on to learn at Cambridge University.
"The concept that a single person can function as a embodiment of English culture, a person who can somehow impart the qualities of a British gentleman upon a infant child, appears optimistic and impractical," he commented.
"Based on my background, having a typically British tutor from infancy will does not automatically achieve the result they want.
"I never had such a figure, and nevertheless I have been lucky enough to live numerous of the opportunities they desire for their son."
He stated: "The reality is, personal identity cannot be forced from the external environment; it must be selected, and it must originate internally."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, English culture is something Adam hopes can be educated – and commercialized.
"I believe the reality that the international society regards us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
