"A household located in the northern part of London wants to find an exceptional and experienced instructor to guide their most junior child on his first steps to growing into an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this listing, you might readily skip the wording "initial stages" as just an expression.
But, it could be the most significant aspect of this unusual position posting, as it seeks to recruit a mentor for a infant.
Numerous of responses have already been received since the unidentified family advertised their search for the £180,000 per year tutor, who has to be "someone very special".
During the past few weeks, the advert has received interest across the media, with many questioning why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, CEO and founder of an education consultancy, which is assisting the family in their quest, said that notwithstanding initial skepticism, he considered the concept "forward-looking", and "progressive".
When he consulted the family, he noted they appreciated the unusual aspect of their demand, and how early in age their son is.
However, they explained that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had postponed until their firstborn was five, and by that point "cultural influence had already become established".
What exactly did the family mean by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "everything", he replied. "The manner you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the elder child had picked up "really subtle, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had adopted their cultural ways. The family told Adam they hoped to prevent history to repeat itself with their new baby.
The plan: To hire a UK tutor, who must speak with standard English accent, to shape the baby right from the beginning.
Osmotic Learning
"Much of the development at the beginning here is somewhat acquired indirectly," explained the expert.
It's through this natural absorption that the family are aiming the child will adopt the English characteristics they aim to impart.
He noted the tutor must be someone who went to "the right kinds of schools – comparable categories of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The educator simply needs to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be doing things they aren't even aware they're doing, effortlessly," he commented.
Cost Not Relevant
The family informed the expert the selected educator should preferably also have understanding of or enthusiasm in horse riding, alpine skiing, the arts and instrumental training so as to shape the child in a broad spectrum of hobbies.
More than that though, he said the family desired the tutor to register the child on a selection of courses so the child would be "horseback riding and starting an tool by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's perspective, helping their son develop into a "UK sophisticate" will bring about accomplishment and provide access.
"Taking into account the pros and cons of that, because it's undoubtedly a class statement," he comments.
But, despite all this guidance in "UK identity", would the child absorb alleged cultural leaning from the international family he is raised by anyway?
"Yes", said Adam. "The family realize this could fail, but they've just taken the perspective of, 'why not attempt it and we'll proceed as early as we can', because the expense of it is not relevant," he stated.
Impractical
There are some in the education sector who have these doubts.
Another CEO, chief executive of an educational organization, who supplies private tutors, stated that "the process of embracing two identities, or actually, discovering oneself, is something that must be grown into, not manufactured."
Peter wrote that he had relocated from the Far East to the UK at the period of 7 years old, and had been raised experiencing and practicing both cultures. He progressed to be educated at a prestigious UK institution.
"The concept that a single person can serve as a embodiment of UK identity, an individual who can possibly impart the qualities of a UK sophisticate to a one-year-old child, appears optimistic and unfeasible," he stated.
"Based on my background, having a quintessentially UK tutor from infancy will does not automatically create the outcome they want.
"I did not have that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been fortunate enough to enjoy several of the situations they desire for their son."
He added: "The reality is, personal identity can not be dictated from the outside; it must be selected, and it must come from within."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, UK identity is something Adam believes can be educated – and sold.
"I believe the fact that the world regards us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
