"Parents based in North London wants to find an remarkable and qualified tutor to support their smallest child on his early path to turning into an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this advertisement, you might easily miss the term "beginning" as mere an expression.
But, it may be the crucial part of this unusual job advert, as it seeks to find a mentor for a 12-month-old.
Many of applications have now been submitted since the unnamed family posted their call for the £180k-a-year tutor, who has to be "an exceptional individual".
Over the last few weeks, the advert has received interest throughout the press, with many asking why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, chief executive of Tutors International, which is helping the family in their hunt, said that in spite of first skepticism, he viewed the plan "visionary", and "innovative".
When he consulted the family, he mentioned they appreciated the unusual character of their request, and how early in age their son is.
Nevertheless, they explained that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had held off until their firstborn was five, and by that point "cultural influence had already taken hold".
What exactly does the family mean by "cultural bias"?
It's "all-encompassing", he answered. "How you eat, how you speak".
He explained the firstborn had absorbed "very nuanced, body language" from the family, and had taken on their cultural habits. The family informed the consultant they hoped to prevent this pattern to recur with their infant.
The plan: To hire a UK tutor, who should speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby right from the beginning.
Osmotic Learning
"A great deal of the education at the outset here is kind of absorbed naturally," explained the expert.
It's through this subtle influence that the family are hoping the child will pick up the British traits they wish to instil.
He explained the tutor needed to be somebody who studied at "prestigious academies – the same kinds of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The instructor simply needs to be the suitable individual, they'll be performing things they aren't even aware they're doing, simply by nature," he added.
Cost Not Relevant
The family told him the chosen tutor should preferably also have understanding of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, winter sports, artistic pursuits and musical activities so as to influence the child in a wide range of hobbies.
Additionally though, he said the family wanted the tutor to register the child on a range of courses so the child would be "horseback riding and learning an instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's perspective, assisting their son develop into a "English gentleman" will result in achievement and provide access.
"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he adds.
But, in spite of all this tutelage in "UK identity", could the child adopt so-called cultural influence from the globally influenced family he is raised by anyway?
"Certainly", answered Adam. "The family know this might not succeed, but they've just taken the attitude of, 'why not attempt it and let's go as soon as we can', because the cost of it is irrelevant," he explained.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
There are some in the education sector who share these concerns.
An education leader, head and founder of a tutoring service, who also offer individual instructors, commented that "the development of adopting dual cultures, or actually, becoming oneself, is something that must be grown into, not designed."
Peter explained that he had relocated from China to the Britain at the period of seven, and had been educated knowing and living two backgrounds. He went on to learn at a prestigious UK institution.
"The idea that a single person can function as a living vessel of UK identity, an individual who can possibly transfer the characteristics of a British gentleman onto a infant child, seems to me optimistic and unfeasible," he stated.
"Based on my background, engaging a typically English tutor from infancy will not instantly achieve the outcome they desire.
"I wasn't provided with that kind of mentor, and yet I have been privileged enough to enjoy many of the opportunities they hope for their son."
He continued: "The truth is, cultural identity can not be imposed from the outside influences; it must be embraced, and it must be internally driven."
Acquiring Englishness
Naturally, Britishness is something the expert thinks can be taught – and commercialized.
"In my view the fact that the world views us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
