"A family based in the northern part of London is looking for an extraordinary and experienced instructor to assist their most junior child on his early path to becoming an English gentleman."
Upon seeing this listing, you might naturally skip the phrase "first-steps" as simple a turn of phrase.
Yet, it may be the most significant aspect of this unusual position posting, as it attempts to recruit a mentor for a infant.
Hundreds of applications have already been sent in since the anonymous family posted their call for the highly paid tutor, who has to be "a uniquely qualified person".
During the past few weeks, the advert has received attention in the news, with many asking why?
Forward-Thinking Method
Adam Caller, chief executive of a global tutoring firm, which is helping the family in their hunt, said that notwithstanding initial scepticism, he found the concept "visionary", and "advanced".
When he consulted the family, he noted they appreciated the atypical nature of their request, and how immature their son is.
Nevertheless, they clarified that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to get a tutor, as they had held off until their firstborn was five, and by that age "cultural conditioning had by then set in".
What exactly did the family mean by "cultural bias"?
It's "comprehensive", the expert responded. "The way you eat, how you speak".
He said the elder child had picked up "very nuanced, unspoken signals" from the family, and had taken on their cultural habits. The family told him they did not want history to repeat itself with their new baby.
The plan: To hire a UK tutor, who needs to speak with RP, to guide the baby from the very start.
Natural Absorption
"Much of the learning at the outset here is kind of absorbed naturally," explained the expert.
It's through this subtle influence that the family are aiming the child will adopt the British traits they wish to impart.
The consultant noted the tutor had to be an individual who studied at "the appropriate educational institutions – similar types of schools as the family plan to send their son to".
"The educator must be the appropriate candidate, they'll be performing things they may not realize they're doing, just naturally," he added.
Money No Object
The family explained to the expert the successful candidate should ideally also have familiarity of or passion in equestrian activities, skiing, creative fields and music so as to inspire the child in a wide range of passions.
Furthermore though, he said the family wanted the tutor to register the child on a variety of lessons so the child would be "equestrian training and learning an instrument by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's view, guiding their son grow into a "UK sophisticate" will bring about success and create opportunities.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's undoubtedly a status symbol," he notes.
However, notwithstanding all this tutelage in "English culture", might the child pick up what is termed cultural leaning from the multicultural family he is raised by regardless?
"Certainly", said the CEO. "The family realize this may not work, but they've simply adopted the attitude of, 'we should try and we'll proceed as soon as we can', because the cost of it is not a concern," he stated.
Impractical
There are some in the private teaching field who share those reservations.
Another CEO, CEO and founder of Blue Education, who also offer private tutors, commented that "the journey of becoming bicultural, or actually, forming one's identity, is something that must be grown into, not engineered."
He explained that he had emigrated from Asia to the United Kingdom at the age of childhood, and had been raised understanding and embodying two backgrounds. He progressed to be educated at Cambridge University.
"The concept that one individual can serve as a embodiment of UK identity, a person who can in some way impart the characteristics of a English gentleman upon a one-year-old child, appears idealistic and unrealistic," he wrote.
"Based on my background, engaging a typically UK tutor from infancy will not necessarily produce the result they want.
"I wasn't provided with such a figure, and nevertheless I have been fortunate enough to experience many of the experiences they aspire for their son."
He continued: "The reality is, cultural identity can not be dictated from the external environment; it must be chosen, and it must be internally driven."
Buying Britishness
Certainly, UK identity is something the expert believes can be instructed – and marketed.
"I believe the fact that the global community regards us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
