"Parents residing in the northern part of London wants to find an remarkable and qualified tutor to support their most junior child on his initial journey to turning into an British gentleman."
When reading this listing, you might easily overlook the term "initial stages" as simple an expression.
But, it may be the most important aspect of this unusual position posting, as it attempts to recruit a tutor for a one-year-old.
Many of responses have now been submitted since the unnamed family published their request for the highly paid tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".
In recent few weeks, the advert has attracted interest across the media, with several asking why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, head and founder of an education consultancy, which is helping the family in their search, said that in spite of initial scepticism, he considered the plan "visionary", and "advanced".
When he spoke with the family, he noted they understood the unconventional nature of their requirement, and how immature their son is.
But, they stated that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had waited until their elder sibling was five, and by that age "cultural influence had already taken hold".
But what does the family indicate by "cultural bias"?
It's "comprehensive", he answered. "The way you eat, how you speak".
He said the firstborn had picked up "extremely delicate, unspoken signals" from the family, and had assumed their cultural norms. The family informed the consultant they hoped to prevent this pattern to repeat itself with their new baby.
The plan: To bring in a English tutor, who needs to speak with standard English accent, to guide the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"A lot of the development at the outset here is rather acquired indirectly," stated the expert.
It's via this subtle influence that the family are aiming the child will pick up the UK customs they aim to instil.
Adam said the tutor had to be somebody who went to "prestigious academies – the same kinds of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The tutor simply needs to be the right kind of person, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, effortlessly," he added.
Cost Not Relevant
The family told the expert the selected educator should ideally also have familiarity of or interest in riding, alpine skiing, artistic pursuits and instrumental training so as to shape the child in a diverse set of passions.
More than that though, he said the family wanted the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and starting an instrument by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's view, helping their son grow into a "English gentleman" will result in success and create opportunities.
"For all the rights and wrongs of that, because it's undoubtedly a status symbol," he comments.
But, despite all this instruction in "English culture", might the child pick up alleged cultural bias from the globally influenced family he lives with in any case?
"Yes", answered the CEO. "The parents realize this might not succeed, but they've merely embraced the perspective of, 'let's give it a go and let's go as early as we can', because the expense of it is not relevant," he said.
Overly Optimistic
A number of in the education sector who share similar doubts.
Peter Cui, head and founder of a tutoring service, who also offer private tutors, commented that "the process of embracing two identities, or indeed, becoming oneself, is something that must be grown into, not engineered."
The expert noted that he had relocated from China to the United Kingdom at the time of seven, and had been educated understanding and embodying dual heritages. He continued to be educated at a prestigious UK institution.
"The notion that a single person can serve as a embodiment of English culture, a person who can in some way impart the qualities of a British gentleman onto a one-year-old child, appears naive and impractical," he wrote.
"Based on my background, engaging a distinctly British tutor from infancy will not necessarily achieve the result they hope for.
"I wasn't provided with such a figure, and yet I have been lucky enough to experience many of the opportunities they desire for their son."
He continued: "The reality is, self-identity cannot be dictated from the external environment; it must be selected, and it must come from within."
Acquiring Englishness
Of course, UK identity is something Adam hopes can be instructed – and sold.
"I think the fact that the world holds us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
