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"A household based in North London seeks an exceptional and experienced instructor to assist their most junior child on his early path to turning into an English gentleman."

When reading this post, you might readily overlook the phrase "first-steps" as just an expression.

However, it may be the most important part of this distinctive employment listing, as it aims to hire a tutor for a 12-month-old.

Hundreds of responses have already been sent in since the unidentified family posted their search for the highly paid tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".

In recent few weeks, the post has received notice across the media, with many wondering why?

Progressive Approach

Adam Caller, chief executive of Tutors International, which is supporting the family in their search, said that despite early doubt, he found the idea "forward-looking", and "advanced".

When he consulted the family, he said they understood the unusual nature of their request, and how early in age their son is.

However, they explained that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had waited until their elder sibling was five, and by that stage "cultural influence had by then become established".

But what does the family indicate by "cultural bias"?

It's "comprehensive", Adam answered. "The way you eat, the manner you speak".

He said the firstborn had picked up "really subtle, body language" from the family, and had adopted their cultural norms. The family explained to the consultant they wished to avoid the same situation to happen again with their younger child.

The intention: To hire a British tutor, who must speak with Received Pronunciation, to influence the baby right from the beginning.

Osmotic Learning

"A lot of the learning at the outset here is somewhat acquired indirectly," stated the expert.

It's by means of this subtle influence that the family are hoping the child will acquire the UK customs they wish to cultivate.

Adam explained the tutor had to be somebody who went to "the right kinds of schools – the same kinds of schools as the family plan to send their son to".

"The educator must be the suitable individual, they'll be carrying out things they aren't even aware they're doing, simply by nature," he added.

Expense Not a Factor

The family explained to Adam the chosen tutor should preferably also have understanding of or interest in equestrian activities, skiing, the arts and instrumental training so as to shape the child in a diverse set of passions.

Additionally though, he said the family desired the tutor to sign up the child on a range of courses so the child would be "horseback riding and learning an musical instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".

In the family's minds, helping their son become a "UK sophisticate" will bring about achievement and provide access.

"For all the pros and cons of that, because it's certainly a social class indicator," he comments.

But, in spite of all this tutelage in "Britishness", could the child pick up alleged cultural influence from the international family he resides with anyway?

"Yes", said Adam. "They realize this could fail, but they've just taken the perspective of, 'let's give it a go and let's go as early as we can', because the expense of it is not a concern," he stated.

Idealistic and Unrealistic

Several in the tutoring industry who express similar concerns.

An education leader, head and founder of an educational organization, who also offer individual instructors, wrote that "the journey of adopting dual cultures, or in fact, forming one's identity, is something that must be lived into, not designed."

Peter explained that he had emigrated from China to the UK at the age of childhood, and had been raised experiencing and embodying dual heritages. He progressed to be educated at Cambridge University.

"The idea that an individual can serve as a embodiment of English culture, someone who can possibly transplant the attributes of a UK sophisticate upon a 12-month-old child, strikes me as optimistic and impractical," he stated.

"In my experience, employing a distinctly UK tutor from infancy will will not automatically create the outcome they hope for.

"I never had such a figure, and however I have been fortunate enough to live many of the experiences they desire for their son."

He continued: "The reality is, cultural identity cannot be dictated from the outside; it must be chosen, and it must be internally driven."

Buying Britishness

Certainly, English culture is something the CEO hopes can be taught – and sold.

"I think the situation that the global community holds us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating