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"Parents residing in north London is looking for an extraordinary and qualified tutor to support their youngest child on his early path to turning into an British gentleman."

When reading this advertisement, you might easily overlook the term "first-steps" as mere figurative language.

However, it could be the most significant aspect of this unusual job advert, as it aims to hire a mentor for a one-year-old.

Many of applications have now been sent in since the unnamed family advertised their call for the £180k-a-year tutor, who has to be "a uniquely qualified person".

Over the last few weeks, the listing has gained notice across the news, with many questioning why?

Progressive Approach

Adam Caller, head and founder of a global tutoring firm, which is assisting the family in their quest, stated that notwithstanding initial skepticism, he found the plan "far sighted", and "progressive".

When he consulted the family, he noted they appreciated the unusual aspect of their demand, and how early in age their son is.

However, they stated that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to get a tutor, as they had waited until their older child was five, and by that stage "cultural bias had by then become established".

But what did the family indicate by "cultural leaning"?

It's "all-encompassing", Adam replied. "The manner you eat, the manner you speak".

He explained the firstborn had adopted "extremely delicate, body language" from the family, and had adopted their cultural norms. The family informed him they hoped to prevent history to happen again with their infant.

The intention: To hire a British tutor, who should speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby from the very start.

Osmotic Learning

"A lot of the learning at the beginning here is kind of osmotic," stated the CEO.

It's through this natural absorption that the family are aiming the child will pick up the UK customs they aim to impart.

The consultant said the tutor needed to be somebody who attended "the appropriate educational institutions – similar types of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".

"The educator just has to be the suitable individual, they'll be doing things they may not realize they're doing, simply by nature," he commented.

Cost Not Relevant

The family told him the chosen tutor should ideally also have knowledge of or enthusiasm in riding, winter sports, creative fields and musical activities so as to inspire the child in a diverse set of passions.

More than that though, he explained the family wanted the tutor to enrol the child on a variety of lessons so the child would be "horseback riding and starting an instrument by the time they are about three years old".

In the family's perspective, assisting their son become a "UK sophisticate" will bring about success and provide access.

"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's definitely a class statement," he notes.

But, despite all this guidance in "Britishness", might the child absorb alleged cultural leaning from the multicultural family he resides with regardless?

"Certainly", answered Adam. "They understand this could fail, but they've merely embraced the view of, 'why not attempt it and we should start as soon as we can', because the price of it is not relevant," he explained.

Impractical

There are some in the education sector who share those doubts.

Peter Cui, CEO and founder of Blue Education, who provides personal educators, wrote that "the journey of becoming bicultural, or actually, becoming oneself, is something that must be lived into, not designed."

Peter noted that he had moved from Asia to the UK at the period of 7 years old, and had been brought up experiencing and embodying both cultures. He progressed to learn at a prestigious UK institution.

"The concept that a single person can act as a living vessel of Britishness, an individual who can possibly transfer the characteristics of a UK sophisticate to a one-year-old child, seems to me optimistic and unfeasible," he stated.

"Based on my background, having a quintessentially UK tutor from early childhood will will not instantly achieve the result they want.

"I wasn't provided with such a tutor, and however I have been privileged enough to experience many of the opportunities they desire for their son."

He stated: "The truth is, personal identity cannot be imposed from the outside; it must be selected, and it must originate internally."

Purchasing UK Culture

Of course, Britishness is something the expert hopes can be educated – and sold.

"I believe the situation that the international society holds us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating