"Parents residing in north London is looking for an extraordinary and experienced tutor to assist their youngest child on his initial journey to becoming an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this post, you might naturally skip the term "beginning" as mere an expression.
Yet, it may be the most significant aspect of this unusual job advert, as it seeks to recruit a tutor for a one-year-old.
Many of responses have now been submitted since the unnamed family advertised their search for the highly paid tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".
During the past few weeks, the advert has attracted interest across the press, with several questioning why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, chief executive of a global tutoring firm, which is supporting the family in their quest, stated that despite first scepticism, he viewed the plan "forward-looking", and "innovative".
When he consulted the family, he noted they understood the unusual aspect of their demand, and how early in age their son is.
Nevertheless, they clarified that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had waited until their firstborn was five, and by that age "cultural influence had by then taken hold".
What exactly did the family mean by "cultural leaning"?
It's "comprehensive", Adam answered. "The manner you eat, the manner you speak".
He said the firstborn had picked up "really subtle, body language" from the family, and had taken on their cultural norms. The family informed Adam they wished to avoid the same situation to happen again with their new baby.
The strategy: To bring in a UK tutor, who must speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby from the very start.
Natural Absorption
"A lot of the learning at the start here is somewhat absorbed naturally," explained Adam.
It's by means of this natural absorption that the family are hoping the child will acquire the British traits they wish to instil.
He said the tutor had to be someone who studied at "the right kinds of schools – the same kinds of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The instructor must be the right kind of person, they'll be carrying out things they may not realize they're doing, simply by nature," he said.
Expense Not a Factor
The family told the expert the selected educator should ideally also have familiarity of or passion in equestrian activities, winter sports, the arts and musical activities so as to inspire the child in a broad spectrum of hobbies.
Furthermore though, he explained the family hoped the tutor to sign up the child on a variety of courses so the child would be "horseback riding and starting an instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's perspective, helping their son become a "British gentleman" will lead to accomplishment and open doors.
"Taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he notes.
Yet, despite all this tutelage in "English culture", could the child pick up what is termed cultural leaning from the multicultural family he resides with regardless?
"Absolutely", replied he. "The parents know this might not succeed, but they've simply adopted the view of, 'let's give it a go and let's go as early as we can', because the expense of it is irrelevant," he explained.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
There are some in the tutoring industry who have those doubts.
Peter Cui, chief executive of an educational organization, who supplies personal educators, commented that "the development of becoming bicultural, or in fact, discovering oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not designed."
The expert wrote that he had relocated from China to the United Kingdom at the age of seven, and had been brought up understanding and practicing two backgrounds. He continued to be educated at the University of Cambridge.
"The idea that a single person can serve as a representation of UK identity, a person who can in some way transfer the characteristics of a UK sophisticate to a one-year-old child, appears optimistic and impractical," he stated.
"From my perspective, having a distinctly English tutor from babyhood will does not instantly create the outcome they want.
"I did not have such a figure, and nevertheless I have been fortunate enough to enjoy several of the experiences they hope for their son."
He continued: "The fact is, cultural identity should not be dictated from the external environment; it must be embraced, and it must come from within."
Buying Britishness
Naturally, UK identity is something Adam thinks can be taught – and sold.
"In my view the reality that the global community holds us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
