"Parents based in north London wants to find an remarkable and experienced tutor to assist their smallest child on his early path to growing into an British gentleman."
Looking at this listing, you might naturally skip the wording "first-steps" as simple a turn of phrase.
But, it may be the most important aspect of this unusual employment listing, as it aims to find a teacher for a infant.
Numerous of responses have now been received since the unnamed family posted their call for the £180,000 per year tutor, who has to be "an exceptional individual".
During the past few weeks, the listing has attracted notice throughout the news, with many asking why?
Progressive Approach
Adam Caller, chief executive of Tutors International, which is assisting the family in their quest, explained that notwithstanding early doubt, he found the concept "forward-looking", and "innovative".
When he spoke with the family, he mentioned they appreciated the unusual nature of their demand, and how early in age their son is.
Nevertheless, they explained that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had postponed until their older child was five, and by that age "cultural bias had already taken hold".
But what does the family indicate by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "everything", he answered. "The way you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the elder child had adopted "really subtle, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had adopted their cultural ways. The family told the consultant they hoped to prevent history to happen again with their younger child.
The intention: To bring in a English tutor, who should speak with RP, to shape the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"A lot of the development at the outset here is somewhat osmotic," explained the expert.
It's via this natural absorption that the family are aiming the child will acquire the UK customs they aim to cultivate.
The consultant said the tutor had to be somebody who attended "prestigious academies – comparable categories of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The tutor must be the suitable individual, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, just naturally," he commented.
Expense Not a Factor
The family told him the chosen tutor should ideally also have knowledge of or enthusiasm in riding, skiing, the arts and musical activities so as to shape the child in a wide range of hobbies.
More than that though, he said the family wanted the tutor to enrol the child on a range of lessons so the child would be "pony-riding and starting an musical instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's view, guiding their son develop into a "UK sophisticate" will result in achievement and provide access.
"For all the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's certainly a social class indicator," he adds.
Yet, in spite of all this tutelage in "UK identity", might the child pick up so-called cultural bias from the multicultural family he resides with regardless?
"Yes", said Adam. "The parents understand this might not succeed, but they've just taken the attitude of, 'let's give it a go and we'll proceed as quickly as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he stated.
Impractical
A number of in the private teaching field who have those concerns.
Peter Cui, chief executive of an educational organization, who also offer personal educators, stated that "the journey of embracing two identities, or in fact, forming one's identity, is something that must be lived into, not manufactured."
The expert explained that he had emigrated from Asia to the Britain at the time of 7 years old, and had been raised knowing and practicing both cultures. He continued to be educated at Cambridge University.
"The idea that an individual can serve as a embodiment of UK identity, an individual who can in some way impart the attributes of a British gentleman to a one-year-old child, appears optimistic and unrealistic," he stated.
"In my experience, having a typically UK tutor from babyhood will will not automatically achieve the goal they hope for.
"I wasn't provided with that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been lucky enough to enjoy numerous of the opportunities they desire for their son."
He continued: "The fact is, self-identity should not be imposed from the outside influences; it must be embraced, and it must be internally driven."
Buying Britishness
Of course, UK identity is something Adam believes can be educated – and sold.
"I believe the situation that the world views us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
