"A family based in the northern part of London seeks an remarkable and qualified instructor to assist their most junior child on his initial journey to turning into an English gentleman."
Looking at this advertisement, you might easily overlook the wording "first-steps" as just a turn of phrase.
But, it may be the crucial part of this distinctive job advert, as it attempts to find a tutor for a infant.
Many of responses have already been submitted since the anonymous family advertised their search for the £180,000 per year tutor, who needs to be "a uniquely qualified person".
Over the last few weeks, the post has received interest across the media, with many questioning why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, head and founder of an education consultancy, which is assisting the family in their search, explained that despite first scepticism, he viewed the concept "far sighted", and "progressive".
When he consulted the family, he mentioned they understood the unusual aspect of their request, and how young their son is.
But, they clarified that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had postponed until their elder sibling was five, and by that point "cultural influence had by then taken hold".
What exactly did the family indicate by "cultural bias"?
It's "all-encompassing", he replied. "How you eat, the way you speak".
He explained the firstborn had picked up "really subtle, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had assumed their cultural habits. The family informed him they did not want the same situation to happen again with their younger child.
The intention: To engage a English tutor, who must speak with standard English accent, to guide the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"A great deal of the development at the start here is somewhat absorbed naturally," explained the CEO.
It's by means of this osmosis that the family are expecting the child will acquire the UK customs they want to impart.
He noted the tutor had to be somebody who went to "the appropriate educational institutions – 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 performing things they don't even know they're doing, just naturally," he said.
Expense Not a Factor
The family explained to the expert the successful candidate should ideally also have knowledge of or interest in equestrian activities, alpine skiing, the arts and musical activities so as to influence the child in a diverse set of interests.
More than that though, he explained the family desired the tutor to enrol the child on a selection of courses so the child would be "horseback riding and picking up an instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".
In the family's perspective, assisting their son grow into a "English gentleman" will result in success and provide access.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a class statement," he notes.
Yet, despite all this tutelage in "English culture", would the child absorb alleged cultural influence from the globally influenced family he is raised by in any case?
"Absolutely", replied the CEO. "The parents realize this might not succeed, but they've just taken the attitude of, 'let's give it a go 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 private teaching field who have similar reservations.
Another CEO, head and founder of a tutoring service, who provides personal educators, stated that "the process of adopting dual cultures, or in fact, forming one's identity, is something that must be grown into, not manufactured."
Peter noted that he had relocated from the Far East to the United Kingdom at the period of childhood, and had been brought up understanding and living two backgrounds. He progressed to study at Cambridge University.
"The idea that a single person can serve as a embodiment of UK identity, an individual who can in some way impart the qualities of a British gentleman onto a 12-month-old child, strikes me as optimistic and unrealistic," he stated.
"Based on my background, employing a quintessentially British tutor from infancy will not instantly achieve the outcome they hope for.
"I wasn't provided with that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been lucky enough to enjoy many of the opportunities they desire for their son."
He added: "The truth is, personal identity cannot be imposed from the external environment; it must be embraced, and it must be internally driven."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, UK identity is something Adam hopes can be instructed – and commercialized.
"In my view the reality that the international society holds us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
