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"Parents based in north London seeks an extraordinary and experienced educator to guide their youngest child on his initial journey to becoming an British gentleman."

Upon seeing this advertisement, you might naturally overlook the term "initial stages" as simple an expression.

But, it might be the most important aspect of this unique employment listing, as it aims to find a teacher for a one-year-old.

Numerous of applications have since been sent in since the unidentified family published their call for the highly paid tutor, who has to be "someone very special".

During the past few weeks, the post has attracted notice across the media, with numerous asking why?

Progressive Approach

Adam Caller, head and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is helping the family in their hunt, explained that despite early doubt, he found the plan "forward-looking", and "advanced".

When he met the family, he said they recognized the unconventional character of their request, and how immature their son is.

However, they stated that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to get a tutor, as they had waited until their firstborn was five, and by that point "cultural conditioning had already become established".

What precisely does the family mean by "cultural leaning"?

It's "all-encompassing", the expert responded. "The manner you eat, how you speak".

He explained the elder child had adopted "very nuanced, body language" from the family, and had assumed their cultural norms. The family informed the consultant they did not want this pattern to happen again with their younger child.

The strategy: To engage a English tutor, who must speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby from day one.

Subtle Influence

"A great deal of the learning at the outset here is somewhat absorbed naturally," said the expert.

It's through this osmosis that the family are aiming the child will adopt the English characteristics they aim to impart.

The consultant explained the tutor needed to be an individual who attended "the right kinds of schools – similar types of schools as the family hope to send their son to".

"The tutor must be the right kind of person, they'll be doing things they may not realize they're doing, simply by nature," he said.

Expense Not a Factor

The family explained to the expert the chosen tutor should ideally also have understanding of or enthusiasm in horse riding, winter sports, creative fields and music so as to inspire the child in a diverse set of interests.

More than that though, he stated the family hoped the tutor to enrol the child on a selection of courses so the child would be "equestrian training and learning an musical instrument by the time they are around three years old".

In the family's minds, assisting their son grow into a "UK sophisticate" will lead to accomplishment and create opportunities.

"Taking into account the rights and wrongs of that, because it's undoubtedly a social class indicator," he comments.

Yet, despite all this tutelage in "UK identity", would the child absorb what is termed cultural influence from the multicultural family he is raised by in any case?

"Yes", answered the CEO. "They know this may not work, but they've simply adopted the view of, 'let's give it a go and we'll proceed as soon as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he explained.

Impractical

A number of in the private teaching field who express similar concerns.

Another CEO, head and founder of a tutoring service, who also offer private tutors, stated that "the process of embracing two identities, or indeed, becoming oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not designed."

Peter wrote that he had relocated from the Far East to the UK at the period of seven, and had been raised knowing and practicing two backgrounds. He continued to study at the University of Cambridge.

"The concept that an individual can act as a representation of UK identity, an individual who can possibly transfer the attributes of a English gentleman upon a 12-month-old child, appears naive and unfeasible," he commented.

"From my perspective, engaging a typically English tutor from early childhood will will not automatically create the result they want.

"I did not have that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been lucky enough to experience several of the opportunities they hope for their son."

He stated: "The truth is, personal identity cannot be dictated from the external environment; it must be embraced, and it must originate internally."

Buying Britishness

Of course, UK identity is something Adam thinks can be educated – and marketed.

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