"A family based in North London wants to find an remarkable and qualified instructor to guide their smallest child on his early path to growing into an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this listing, you might readily overlook the wording "first-steps" as simple an expression.
But, it may be the most significant part of this unusual employment listing, as it attempts to recruit a teacher for a one-year-old.
Many of responses have already been submitted since the anonymous family published their call for the highly paid tutor, who has to be "an exceptional individual".
Over the last few weeks, the listing has attracted interest across the news, with many questioning why?
Forward-Thinking Method
The CEO, CEO and founder of Tutors International, which is supporting the family in their quest, said that in spite of initial skepticism, he viewed the concept "visionary", and "advanced".
When he consulted the family, he mentioned they recognized the unusual aspect of their requirement, and how immature their son is.
But, they clarified that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had held off until their elder sibling was five, and by that point "cultural influence had by then set in".
But what did the family mean by "cultural leaning"?
It's "everything", he responded. "The way you eat, the way you speak".
He stated the firstborn had absorbed "very nuanced, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had assumed their cultural norms. The family explained to the consultant they wished to avoid history to recur with their new baby.
The intention: To hire a English tutor, who must speak with RP, to guide the baby right from the beginning.
Subtle Influence
"A lot of the learning at the beginning here is somewhat acquired indirectly," stated Adam.
It's through this natural absorption that the family are hoping the child will pick up the English characteristics they want to impart.
The consultant explained the tutor had to be an individual who went to "the right kinds of schools – similar types of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The instructor just has to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be doing things they don't even know they're doing, effortlessly," he added.
Cost Not Relevant
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 inspire the child in a wide range of hobbies.
Furthermore though, he said the family desired the tutor to register the child on a range of courses so the child would be "pony-riding and picking up an tool by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's minds, assisting their son become a "British gentleman" will result in accomplishment and provide access.
"For all the pros and cons of that, because it's certainly a status symbol," he comments.
Yet, despite all this instruction in "English culture", could the child adopt what is termed cultural leaning from the multicultural family he lives with in any case?
"Absolutely", said Adam. "They understand this might not succeed, but they've merely embraced the view of, 'why not attempt it and we'll proceed as soon as we can', because the price of it is not relevant," he said.
Idealistic and Unrealistic
Several in the tutoring industry who have those doubts.
Peter Cui, CEO and founder of a tutoring service, who also offer private tutors, commented that "the development of embracing two identities, or actually, discovering oneself, is something that must be grown into, not manufactured."
The expert explained that he had emigrated from China to the Britain at the period of 7 years old, and had been raised knowing and living two backgrounds. He went on to be educated at Cambridge University.
"The idea that an individual can serve as a embodiment of Britishness, an individual who can possibly transfer the qualities of a English gentleman upon a infant child, appears idealistic and unrealistic," he stated.
"From my perspective, having a typically UK tutor from babyhood will will not instantly create the result they hope for.
"I never had such a figure, and however I have been privileged enough to enjoy several of the experiences they aspire for their son."
He added: "The truth is, cultural identity can not be forced from the outside influences; it must be chosen, and it must come from within."
Acquiring Englishness
Of course, English culture is something the CEO thinks can be educated – and commercialized.
"I believe the situation that the world views us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
