"A household residing in the northern part of London is looking for an exceptional and qualified instructor to guide their most junior child on his early path to turning into an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this advertisement, you might naturally miss the wording "beginning" as just a turn of phrase.
But, it could be the most significant aspect of this unique employment listing, as it seeks to hire a teacher for a infant.
Hundreds of applications have already been sent in since the unidentified family advertised their search for the £180,000 per year tutor, who needs to be "someone very special".
Over the last few weeks, the post has attracted interest across the media, with many wondering why?
Forward-Thinking Method
A tutoring expert, CEO and founder of an education consultancy, which is supporting the family in their quest, said that in spite of initial skepticism, he found the idea "visionary", and "advanced".
When he spoke with the family, he said they appreciated the unusual nature of their demand, and how immature their son is.
Nevertheless, they explained that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had waited until their elder sibling was five, and by that point "cultural conditioning had already become established".
What exactly does the family refer to by "cultural leaning"?
It's "comprehensive", Adam responded. "The manner you eat, the manner you speak".
He stated the elder child had adopted "extremely delicate, body language" from the family, and had taken on their cultural habits. The family told the consultant they hoped to prevent this pattern to happen again with their younger child.
The intention: To hire a English tutor, who needs to speak with Received Pronunciation, to influence the baby right from the beginning.
Subtle Influence
"A lot of the learning at the start here is rather osmotic," explained the CEO.
It's via this natural absorption that the family are aiming the child will acquire the UK customs they wish to cultivate.
He noted the tutor had to be someone who studied at "the right kinds of schools – comparable categories of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The instructor just has to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be carrying out things they may not realize they're doing, effortlessly," he commented.
Money No Object
The family told Adam the selected educator should ideally also have knowledge of or interest in equestrian activities, winter sports, creative fields and instrumental training so as to influence the child in a diverse set of hobbies.
Additionally though, he explained the family wanted the tutor to sign up the child on a variety of classes so the child would be "horseback riding and starting an musical instrument by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's perspective, guiding their son develop into a "UK sophisticate" will lead to success and provide access.
"Taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's certainly a social class indicator," he notes.
But, in spite of all this instruction in "English culture", could the child pick up what is termed cultural leaning from the multicultural family he lives with regardless?
"Yes", replied Adam. "The parents understand this may not work, but they've simply adopted the perspective of, 'why not attempt it and we should start as soon as we can', because the expense of it is not relevant," he stated.
Impractical
There are some in the private teaching field who share similar concerns.
Peter Cui, head and founder of Blue Education, who supplies personal educators, wrote that "the process of becoming bicultural, or indeed, forming one's identity, is something that must be grown into, not designed."
He explained that he had relocated from China to the UK at the period of childhood, and had been brought up understanding and practicing dual heritages. He continued to study at a prestigious UK institution.
"The notion that a single person can act as a representation of English culture, someone who can in some way transfer the characteristics of a English gentleman to a infant child, seems to me optimistic and impractical," he wrote.
"In my experience, having a typically British tutor from infancy will not instantly create the goal they want.
"I did not have that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been lucky enough to enjoy numerous of the situations they desire for their son."
He stated: "The fact is, cultural identity can not be imposed from the external environment; it must be selected, and it must be internally driven."
Acquiring Englishness
Naturally, Britishness is something Adam hopes can be instructed – and sold.
"I believe the reality that the international society regards us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
