"A household based in North London wants to find an extraordinary and skilled instructor to support their youngest child on his early path to becoming an British gentleman."
Looking at this advertisement, you might easily skip the term "first-steps" as simple a turn of phrase.
Yet, it may be the crucial part of this unique job advert, as it aims to find a mentor for a infant.
Many of responses have already been submitted since the unnamed family posted their request for the £180k-a-year tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".
During the past few weeks, the advert has gained attention across the press, with several wondering why?
Progressive Approach
A tutoring expert, chief executive of a global tutoring firm, which is helping the family in their quest, said that notwithstanding initial doubt, he viewed the concept "visionary", and "progressive".
When he consulted the family, he noted they appreciated the atypical character of their demand, and how immature their son is.
But, they explained that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had held off until their elder sibling was five, and by that point "cultural conditioning had already taken hold".
What exactly does the family indicate by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "everything", Adam answered. "The manner you eat, the manner you speak".
He explained the firstborn had absorbed "extremely delicate, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had adopted their cultural ways. The family explained to the consultant they hoped to prevent the same situation to happen again with their new baby.
The intention: To hire a English tutor, who needs to speak with RP, to influence the baby right from the beginning.
Natural Absorption
"Much of the development at the outset here is kind of acquired indirectly," explained Adam.
It's by means of this subtle influence that the family are hoping the child will pick up the British traits they aim to instil.
The consultant noted the tutor must be somebody who studied at "the appropriate educational institutions – similar types of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The educator must be the suitable individual, they'll be carrying out things they may not realize they're doing, just naturally," he commented.
Cost Not Relevant
The family explained to the expert the selected educator should ideally also have understanding of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, alpine skiing, the arts and instrumental training so as to shape the child in a wide range of interests.
More than that though, he said the family hoped the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of courses so the child would be "pony-riding and starting an tool by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's perspective, guiding their son develop into a "English gentleman" will result in success and open doors.
"Taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's undoubtedly a social class indicator," he adds.
However, despite all this guidance in "English culture", could the child absorb what is termed cultural bias from the globally influenced family he is raised by in any case?
"Certainly", answered he. "The family understand 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 price of it is not a concern," he explained.
Overly Optimistic
Several in the education sector who share similar reservations.
Peter Cui, head and founder of Blue Education, who provides private tutors, wrote that "the development of becoming bicultural, or in fact, becoming oneself, is something that must be grown into, not manufactured."
He wrote that he had moved from Asia to the United Kingdom at the age of 7 years old, and had been educated experiencing and embodying both cultures. He went on to be educated at the University of Cambridge.
"The idea that one individual can function as a representation of Britishness, an individual who can in some way transplant the attributes of a English gentleman to a infant child, seems to me idealistic and unfeasible," he commented.
"Based on my background, having a typically British tutor from early childhood will does not automatically create the goal they desire.
"I did not have that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been fortunate enough to enjoy several of the situations they aspire for their son."
He continued: "The truth is, personal identity should not be forced from the outside influences; it must be chosen, and it must come from within."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, English culture is something Adam hopes can be instructed – and sold.
"I believe the reality that the global community regards us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
