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"A family residing in North London seeks an remarkable and qualified instructor to support their smallest child on his early path to turning into an English gentleman."

Upon seeing this post, you might naturally skip the phrase "first-steps" as just an expression.

Yet, it may be the most significant element of this unique employment listing, as it attempts to find a mentor for a one-year-old.

Hundreds of applications have now been submitted since the unnamed family published their request for the highly paid tutor, who needs to be "a uniquely qualified person".

Over the last few weeks, the advert has gained notice throughout the media, with many questioning why?

Innovative Idea

A tutoring expert, chief executive of Tutors International, which is assisting the family in their search, stated that notwithstanding initial doubt, he viewed the concept "far sighted", and "innovative".

When he consulted the family, he mentioned they understood the unconventional aspect of their request, and how immature their son is.

However, they explained that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had waited until their older child was five, and by that point "cultural bias had already taken hold".

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

It's "comprehensive", he replied. "The manner you eat, how you speak".

He explained the elder child had adopted "really subtle, body language" from the family, and had taken on their cultural ways. The family explained to Adam they did not want the same situation to repeat itself with their new baby.

The plan: To bring in a English tutor, who needs to speak with Received Pronunciation, to influence the baby from the very start.

Subtle Influence

"A great deal of the learning at the start here is kind of absorbed naturally," said the CEO.

It's by means of this natural absorption that the family are aiming the child will pick up the English characteristics they aim to instil.

The consultant noted the tutor had to be somebody who studied at "the right kinds of schools – the same kinds of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".

"The tutor must be the suitable individual, they'll be doing things they don't even know they're doing, simply by nature," he said.

Cost Not Relevant

The family informed the expert the chosen tutor should preferably also have understanding of or interest in horse riding, winter sports, artistic pursuits and musical activities so as to influence the child in a broad spectrum of hobbies.

Furthermore though, he said the family hoped the tutor to sign up the child on a variety of courses so the child would be "pony-riding and picking up an instrument by the time they are approximately three years old".

In the family's perspective, guiding their son become a "English gentleman" will lead to accomplishment and create opportunities.

"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's undoubtedly a status symbol," he comments.

Yet, notwithstanding all this tutelage in "Britishness", could the child pick up alleged cultural bias from the international family he resides with regardless?

"Yes", said the CEO. "The parents understand this could fail, but they've merely embraced the perspective of, 'we should try and we should start as quickly as we can', because the expense of it is not a concern," he said.

Impractical

Several in the tutoring industry who express those concerns.

Another CEO, CEO and founder of Blue Education, who provides private tutors, commented that "the journey of becoming bicultural, or actually, discovering oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not designed."

Peter noted that he had moved from China to the Britain at the time of seven, and had been raised understanding and embodying both cultures. He progressed to study at the University of Cambridge.

"The concept that a single person can serve as a living vessel of English culture, a person who can in some way transfer the characteristics of a UK sophisticate upon a 12-month-old child, seems to me idealistic and unfeasible," he stated.

"Based on my background, employing a typically English tutor from early childhood will not necessarily produce the goal they desire.

"I wasn't provided with such a figure, and however I have been fortunate enough to live many of the experiences they desire for their son."

He added: "The fact is, personal identity cannot be dictated from the external environment; it must be embraced, and it must be internally driven."

Purchasing UK Culture

Certainly, English culture is something Adam believes can be instructed – and marketed.

"In my view the reality that the world views us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating