"A family based in north London is looking for an remarkable and qualified educator to assist their smallest child on his early path to becoming an English gentleman."
When reading this listing, you might readily miss the wording "beginning" as just an expression.
But, it could be the most significant part of this unusual employment listing, as it seeks to find a mentor for a infant.
Hundreds of applications have since been received since the unnamed family published their call for the £180,000 per year tutor, who needs to be "someone very special".
During the past few weeks, the post has received notice throughout the press, with numerous questioning why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of Tutors International, which is supporting the family in their search, stated that in spite of early doubt, he considered the idea "far sighted", and "progressive".
When he consulted the family, he said they appreciated the atypical aspect of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
However, they stated that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had postponed until their firstborn was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had by then set in".
What exactly did the family indicate by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "comprehensive", the expert responded. "The way you eat, the way you speak".
He said the elder child had picked up "really subtle, unspoken signals" from the family, and had taken on their cultural habits. The family told the consultant they hoped to prevent the same situation to happen again with their new baby.
The strategy: To hire a UK tutor, who should speak with RP, to influence the baby right from the beginning.
Natural Absorption
"A lot of the education at the start here is rather osmotic," explained the CEO.
It's via this osmosis that the family are hoping the child will acquire the English characteristics they wish to instil.
The consultant noted the tutor must be an individual who studied at "the appropriate educational institutions – the same kinds of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The educator simply needs to be the suitable individual, they'll be carrying out things they don't even know they're doing, just naturally," he commented.
Expense Not a Factor
The family told the expert the successful candidate should ideally also have understanding of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, winter sports, artistic pursuits and musical activities so as to influence the child in a diverse set of passions.
Furthermore though, he stated the family hoped the tutor to register the child on a range of classes 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, assisting their son grow into a "British gentleman" will lead to achievement and open doors.
"Taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he notes.
Yet, notwithstanding all this guidance in "English culture", could the child absorb alleged cultural influence from the international family he resides with in any case?
"Absolutely", said Adam. "They know this might not succeed, but they've just taken the attitude of, 'let's give it a go and let's go as early as we can', because the price of it is not relevant," he explained.
Impractical
There are some in the tutoring industry who share those reservations.
Another CEO, chief executive of an educational organization, who also offer personal educators, wrote that "the process of adopting dual cultures, or actually, forming one's identity, is something that must be experienced personally, not designed."
Peter explained that he had relocated from China to the UK at the age of seven, and had been educated knowing and embodying both cultures. He continued to learn at the University of Cambridge.
"The notion that an individual can act as a representation of Britishness, a person who can somehow impart the attributes of a British gentleman onto a infant child, seems to me idealistic and unfeasible," he wrote.
"In my experience, employing a quintessentially British tutor from early childhood will not instantly create the result they hope for.
"I did not have such a tutor, and however I have been lucky enough to experience several of the experiences they desire for their son."
He added: "The reality is, self-identity can not be forced from the outside influences; it must be chosen, and it must be internally driven."
Buying Britishness
Naturally, Britishness is something the expert believes can be taught – and sold.
"I believe the reality that the international society regards us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
