"A family based in the northern part of London seeks an remarkable and experienced educator to support their smallest child on his early path to becoming an British gentleman."
When reading this listing, you might naturally overlook the phrase "first-steps" as mere an expression.
But, it might be the most significant aspect of this unique position posting, as it aims to hire a teacher for a 12-month-old.
Hundreds of submissions have already been submitted since the anonymous family posted their search for the highly paid tutor, who must be "someone very special".
Over the last few weeks, the advert has gained notice across the media, with numerous questioning why?
Innovative Idea
The CEO, CEO and founder of Tutors International, which is assisting the family in their hunt, stated that despite early skepticism, he considered the concept "visionary", and "advanced".
When he consulted the family, he noted they recognized the unusual character of their requirement, and how immature their son is.
But, they explained that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had postponed until their older child was five, and by that age "cultural bias had by then become established".
What exactly did the family mean by "cultural leaning"?
It's "comprehensive", the expert replied. "How you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the older sibling had picked up "very nuanced, body language" from the family, and had taken on their cultural ways. The family informed Adam they hoped to prevent history to recur with their new baby.
The plan: To bring in a British tutor, who must speak with standard English accent, to shape the baby right from the beginning.
Osmotic Learning
"A lot of the learning at the outset here is somewhat osmotic," explained Adam.
It's via this subtle influence that the family are aiming the child will acquire the English characteristics they want to cultivate.
The consultant noted the tutor must be an individual who went to "prestigious academies – the same kinds of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The tutor just has to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be carrying out things they don't even know they're doing, effortlessly," he commented.
Money No Object
The family explained to Adam the chosen tutor should ideally also have familiarity of or interest in equestrian activities, skiing, creative fields and instrumental training so as to influence the child in a broad spectrum of hobbies.
Additionally though, he said the family wanted the tutor to sign up the child on a range of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and picking up an instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's perspective, guiding their son grow into a "UK sophisticate" will result in accomplishment and open doors.
"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's undoubtedly a social class indicator," he notes.
Yet, despite all this guidance in "UK identity", might the child pick up alleged cultural leaning from the international family he is raised by regardless?
"Absolutely", answered Adam. "The parents realize this may not work, but they've just taken the attitude of, 'why not attempt it and we should start as soon as we can', because the price of it is not relevant," he said.
Overly Optimistic
A number of in the education sector who have these concerns.
Peter Cui, CEO and founder of Blue Education, who provides individual instructors, commented that "the development of embracing two identities, or indeed, discovering oneself, is something that must be lived into, not engineered."
Peter noted that he had relocated from the Far East to the United Kingdom at the age of childhood, and had been brought up understanding and embodying two backgrounds. He progressed to be educated at Cambridge University.
"The concept that an individual can act as a representation of UK identity, someone who can possibly transplant the characteristics of a UK sophisticate upon a 12-month-old child, appears naive and unrealistic," he stated.
"Based on my background, engaging a quintessentially English tutor from early childhood will will not instantly produce the outcome they desire.
"I never had that kind of mentor, and yet I have been fortunate enough to live many of the situations they desire for their son."
He continued: "The fact is, personal identity cannot be forced from the outside; it must be chosen, and it must originate internally."
Buying Britishness
Naturally, English culture is something Adam thinks can be instructed – and marketed.
"I think the fact that the global community holds us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
