"A household based in North London is looking for an extraordinary and skilled instructor to assist their most junior child on his first steps to growing into an English gentleman."
Looking at this advertisement, you might easily skip the phrase "beginning" as mere an expression.
But, it could be the crucial part of this unusual position posting, as it attempts to hire a teacher for a 12-month-old.
Many of applications have already been received since the unnamed family posted their search for the highly paid tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".
Over the last few weeks, the advert has received notice in the news, with several questioning why?
Innovative Idea
Adam Caller, head and founder of an education consultancy, which is helping the family in their quest, explained that in spite of first skepticism, he considered the concept "forward-looking", and "progressive".
When he met the family, he mentioned they recognized the unconventional character of their request, and how young their son is.
Nevertheless, they clarified that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to get a tutor, as they had held off until their elder sibling was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had by then set in".
What exactly did the family indicate by "cultural predisposition"?
It's "everything", Adam answered. "The manner you eat, how you speak".
He said the elder child had picked up "extremely delicate, body language" from the family, and had taken on their cultural ways. The family explained to the consultant they did not want the same situation to repeat itself with their infant.
The intention: To hire a UK tutor, who should speak with Received Pronunciation, to influence the baby right from the beginning.
Subtle Influence
"A great deal of the education at the outset here is rather osmotic," said the CEO.
It's through this subtle influence that the family are hoping the child will adopt the British traits they want to cultivate.
The consultant explained the tutor needed to be someone who went to "the appropriate educational institutions – the same kinds of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The educator simply needs to be the suitable individual, they'll be carrying out things they don't even know they're doing, just naturally," he said.
Money No Object
The family explained to the expert the chosen tutor should preferably also have understanding of or passion in equestrian activities, alpine skiing, artistic pursuits and music so as to shape the child in a wide range of hobbies.
Additionally though, he stated the family desired the tutor to enrol the child on a range of courses so the child would be "equestrian training and starting an tool by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's perspective, guiding their son become a "UK sophisticate" will bring about accomplishment and open doors.
"Taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's certainly a social class indicator," he comments.
But, in spite of all this instruction in "English culture", might the child absorb what is termed cultural leaning from the globally influenced family he lives with in any case?
"Certainly", replied Adam. "The parents know this could fail, but they've simply adopted the view of, 'we should try and let's go as early as we can', because the expense of it is irrelevant," he stated.
Impractical
Several in the tutoring industry who share those doubts.
Another CEO, head and founder of an educational organization, who supplies personal educators, stated that "the development of embracing two identities, or indeed, becoming oneself, is something that must be lived into, not manufactured."
Peter noted that he had emigrated from Asia to the UK at the age of seven, and had been raised understanding and embodying dual heritages. He progressed to study at a prestigious UK institution.
"The notion that an individual can act as a representation of Britishness, an individual who can in some way transplant the characteristics of a UK sophisticate onto a 12-month-old child, seems to me idealistic and impractical," he commented.
"In my experience, engaging a quintessentially UK tutor from early childhood will does not necessarily produce the goal they want.
"I wasn't provided with that kind of mentor, and yet I have been privileged enough to enjoy several of the experiences they desire for their son."
He added: "The truth is, cultural identity can not be forced from the outside; it must be selected, and it must originate internally."
Buying Britishness
Naturally, English culture is something Adam thinks can be instructed – and marketed.
"In my view the situation that the world holds us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
