"A household located in the northern part of London seeks an remarkable and experienced educator to assist their most junior child on his first steps to turning into an English gentleman."
When reading this post, you might readily overlook the term "initial stages" as mere figurative language.
But, it may be the most important part of this distinctive job advert, as it seeks to find a tutor for a one-year-old.
Numerous of responses have now been received since the unnamed family published their search for the £180k-a-year tutor, who has to be "a uniquely qualified person".
Over the last few weeks, the listing has gained interest in the news, with several asking why?
Forward-Thinking Method
A tutoring expert, chief executive of an education consultancy, which is supporting the family in their hunt, said that notwithstanding initial scepticism, he found the plan "visionary", and "innovative".
When he consulted the family, he mentioned they appreciated the unconventional character of their demand, and how early in age their son is.
However, they clarified that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had postponed until their firstborn was five, and by that stage "cultural conditioning had by then taken hold".
What precisely did the family mean by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "comprehensive", Adam answered. "The way you eat, the manner you speak".
He said the elder child had adopted "extremely delicate, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had assumed their cultural habits. The family informed Adam they did not want history to repeat itself with their new baby.
The intention: To bring in a UK tutor, who must speak with RP, to guide the baby from the very start.
Subtle Influence
"Much of the learning at the outset here is rather acquired indirectly," said the expert.
It's via this natural absorption that the family are hoping the child will adopt the English characteristics they want to impart.
The consultant noted the tutor needed to be an individual who attended "the right kinds of schools – comparable categories of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The instructor must be the appropriate candidate, they'll be doing things they may not realize they're doing, effortlessly," he added.
Money No Object
The family told the expert the chosen tutor should ideally also have understanding of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, alpine skiing, creative fields and music so as to influence the child in a wide range of interests.
Furthermore though, he said the family hoped the tutor to enrol the child on a selection of classes so the child would be "pony-riding and picking up an instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's view, helping their son become a "UK sophisticate" will lead to accomplishment and provide access.
"For all the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's definitely a class statement," he comments.
Yet, despite all this instruction in "Britishness", could the child adopt alleged cultural influence from the globally influenced family he is raised by in any case?
"Certainly", replied Adam. "The family know this may not work, but they've merely embraced the attitude of, 'we should try and we should start as soon as we can', because the expense of it is not a concern," he said.
Impractical
A number of in the tutoring industry who express similar concerns.
Peter Cui, CEO and founder of a tutoring service, who also offer personal educators, stated that "the development of embracing two identities, or indeed, becoming oneself, is something that must be grown into, not designed."
Peter explained that he had emigrated from the Far East to the United Kingdom at the age of seven, and had been raised understanding and practicing two backgrounds. He continued to study at the University of Cambridge.
"The idea that one individual can function as a representation of English culture, a person who can possibly impart the characteristics of a UK sophisticate upon a infant child, appears naive and unfeasible," he wrote.
"From my perspective, engaging a typically UK tutor from infancy will does not automatically produce the outcome they desire.
"I never had such a figure, and however I have been lucky enough to enjoy several of the experiences they aspire for their son."
He continued: "The fact is, cultural identity cannot be imposed from the outside; it must be chosen, and it must originate internally."
Buying Britishness
Certainly, Britishness is something Adam thinks can be instructed – and marketed.
"I think the situation that the global community views us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
