"A household based in north London seeks an remarkable and qualified instructor to guide their youngest child on his early path to growing into an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this advertisement, you might readily skip the phrase "first-steps" as mere figurative language.
Yet, it may be the most significant aspect of this unusual position posting, as it aims to recruit a teacher for a one-year-old.
Many of submissions have already been received since the unidentified family posted their search for the highly paid tutor, who has to be "a uniquely qualified person".
During the past few weeks, the listing has gained interest throughout the media, with many questioning why?
Forward-Thinking Method
The CEO, head and founder of an education consultancy, which is supporting the family in their quest, stated that in spite of first scepticism, he considered the plan "visionary", and "progressive".
When he consulted the family, he noted they understood the atypical nature of their request, and how early in age their son is.
However, they stated that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had postponed until their firstborn was five, and by that point "cultural conditioning had already taken hold".
What precisely does the family indicate by "cultural bias"?
It's "all-encompassing", Adam responded. "The manner you eat, how you speak".
He explained the older sibling had adopted "very nuanced, body language" from the family, and had taken on their cultural ways. The family told him they did not want history to happen again with their infant.
The intention: To bring in a British tutor, who must speak with RP, to guide the baby from day one.
Osmotic Learning
"A lot of the learning at the start here is kind of acquired indirectly," stated the expert.
It's through this osmosis that the family are hoping the child will acquire the English characteristics they wish to cultivate.
The consultant explained the tutor had to be an individual who studied at "prestigious academies – similar types of schools as the family hope to send their son to".
"The instructor simply needs to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be doing things they may not realize they're doing, just naturally," he added.
Expense Not a Factor
The family told the expert the selected educator should ideally also have understanding of or enthusiasm in equestrian activities, winter sports, creative fields and instrumental training so as to shape the child in a wide range of passions.
More than that though, he said the family desired the tutor to sign up the child on a range of classes so the child would be "horseback riding and starting an tool by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's view, assisting their son develop into a "British gentleman" will lead to accomplishment and open doors.
"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a status symbol," he notes.
However, despite all this instruction in "Britishness", would the child adopt alleged cultural bias from the international family he is raised by regardless?
"Absolutely", said he. "The family realize this could fail, but they've simply adopted the perspective of, 'let's give it a go and let's go as early as we can', because the cost of it is irrelevant," he said.
Overly Optimistic
A number of in the education sector who have similar doubts.
Peter Cui, CEO and founder of Blue Education, who supplies personal educators, wrote that "the development of adopting dual cultures, or indeed, discovering oneself, is something that must be lived into, not manufactured."
Peter explained that he had relocated from China to the UK at the time of childhood, and had been brought up experiencing and practicing dual heritages. He went on to be educated at a prestigious UK institution.
"The idea that one individual can function as a embodiment of English culture, someone who can possibly transplant the attributes of a UK sophisticate to a 12-month-old child, strikes me as naive and unfeasible," he stated.
"From my perspective, employing a typically English tutor from early childhood will not automatically create the outcome they want.
"I did not have such a tutor, and nevertheless I have been fortunate enough to experience several of the experiences they desire for their son."
He added: "The fact is, cultural identity cannot be dictated from the outside influences; it must be selected, and it must be internally driven."
Acquiring Englishness
Of course, English culture is something Adam believes can be educated – and marketed.
"I think the fact that the world regards us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating