"A family residing in the northern part of London seeks an extraordinary and experienced tutor to support their youngest child on his initial journey to becoming an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this listing, you might easily overlook the phrase "first-steps" as simple an expression.
But, it could be the crucial aspect of this unique employment listing, as it aims to find a mentor for a one-year-old.
Many of responses have already been sent in since the unnamed family advertised their request for the £180k-a-year tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".
Over the last few weeks, the listing has received interest throughout the media, with numerous wondering why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, head and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is assisting the family in their hunt, said that despite first doubt, he considered the concept "visionary", and "innovative".
When he met the family, he mentioned they recognized the atypical aspect of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
However, 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 conditioning had already taken hold".
But what did the family indicate by "cultural leaning"?
It's "comprehensive", the expert answered. "The manner you eat, how you speak".
He said the elder child had absorbed "extremely delicate, body language" from the family, and had taken on their cultural habits. The family informed Adam they hoped to prevent history to recur with their younger child.
The plan: To engage a British tutor, who should speak with Received Pronunciation, to guide the baby from day one.
Subtle Influence
"A great deal of the learning at the start here is rather absorbed naturally," stated the CEO.
It's via this subtle influence that the family are aiming the child will acquire the UK customs they want to impart.
Adam noted the tutor must be an individual who went to "prestigious academies – similar types of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The instructor simply needs to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be performing things they aren't even aware they're doing, simply by nature," he added.
Expense Not a Factor
The family told Adam the selected educator should ideally also have familiarity of or enthusiasm in horse riding, alpine skiing, the arts and instrumental training so as to influence the child in a broad spectrum of passions.
Additionally though, he explained the family wanted the tutor to sign up the child on a variety of classes so the child would be "pony-riding and picking up an musical instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's view, assisting their son develop into a "British gentleman" will lead to accomplishment and open doors.
"Taking into account the rights and wrongs of that, because it's certainly a social class indicator," he adds.
Yet, despite all this tutelage in "English culture", would the child pick up what is termed cultural influence from the multicultural family he resides with in any case?
"Absolutely", replied the CEO. "The parents realize this may not work, but they've merely embraced the attitude of, 'why not attempt it and we should start as soon as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he explained.
Impractical
There are some in the tutoring industry who share similar reservations.
An education leader, CEO and founder of a tutoring service, who supplies personal educators, stated that "the process of becoming bicultural, or indeed, discovering oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not manufactured."
The expert explained that he had moved from the Far East to the United Kingdom at the age of 7 years old, and had been raised understanding and embodying both cultures. He progressed to study at Cambridge University.
"The notion that one individual can act as a embodiment of Britishness, an individual who can somehow transfer the qualities of a British gentleman upon a infant child, strikes me as idealistic and unrealistic," he commented.
"Based on my background, employing a typically British tutor from early childhood will not automatically create the outcome they want.
"I did not have such a tutor, and yet I have been privileged enough to live several of the opportunities they aspire for their son."
He added: "The truth is, personal identity can not be imposed from the external environment; it must be embraced, and it must come from within."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, English culture is something Adam believes can be instructed – and sold.
"I think the fact that the global community holds us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
