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"A family residing in north London seeks an extraordinary and qualified instructor to support their smallest child on his initial journey to growing into an British gentleman."

When reading this advertisement, you might readily miss the phrase "beginning" as simple an expression.

But, it might be the most significant element of this distinctive job advert, as it aims to recruit a mentor for a 12-month-old.

Hundreds of responses have now been sent in since the unnamed family published their request for the £180k-a-year tutor, who must be "someone very special".

Over the last few weeks, the listing has received notice across the news, with many wondering why?

Progressive Approach

A tutoring expert, head and founder of Tutors International, which is supporting the family in their quest, explained that in spite of first skepticism, he considered the idea "forward-looking", and "progressive".

When he spoke with the family, he noted they appreciated the atypical character of their demand, and how young their son is.

But, they stated that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to get a tutor, as they had waited until their elder sibling was five, and by that point "cultural bias had already taken hold".

What exactly does the family indicate by "cultural predisposition"?

It's "everything", Adam replied. "The way you eat, the way you speak".

He stated the firstborn had absorbed "really subtle, unspoken signals" from the family, and had adopted their cultural ways. The family explained to him they wished to avoid history to happen again with their new baby.

The plan: To engage a English tutor, who must speak with RP, to guide the baby from the very start.

Natural Absorption

"Much of the learning at the outset here is somewhat absorbed naturally," explained the CEO.

It's via this natural absorption that the family are aiming the child will adopt the British traits they wish to impart.

The consultant said the tutor must be somebody who went to "the right kinds of schools – the same kinds of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".

"The educator must be the right kind of person, they'll be carrying out things they may not realize they're doing, just naturally," he commented.

Cost Not Relevant

The family explained to him the selected educator should ideally also have knowledge of or interest in horse riding, skiing, artistic pursuits and instrumental training so as to shape the child in a diverse set of passions.

Additionally though, he stated the family desired the tutor to register the child on a variety of courses so the child would be "horseback riding and starting an musical instrument by the time they are about three years old".

In the family's view, assisting their son become a "British gentleman" will bring about accomplishment and create opportunities.

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

Yet, in spite of all this guidance in "English culture", could the child pick up alleged cultural influence from the multicultural family he is raised by regardless?

"Absolutely", replied the CEO. "The family know this may not work, but they've merely embraced the view of, 'why not attempt it and we should start as quickly as we can', because the price of it is irrelevant," he explained.

Overly Optimistic

Several in the tutoring industry who share these reservations.

Another CEO, head and founder of Blue Education, who provides personal educators, wrote that "the journey of adopting dual cultures, or in fact, becoming oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not manufactured."

Peter wrote that he had relocated from Asia to the Britain at the age of childhood, and had been brought up understanding and embodying two backgrounds. He went on to study at the University of Cambridge.

"The idea that a single person can function as a representation of English culture, a person who can somehow impart the characteristics of a British gentleman to a infant child, strikes me as optimistic and impractical," he commented.

"Based on my background, engaging a typically UK tutor from early childhood will does not instantly create the outcome they hope for.

"I did not have that kind of mentor, and however I have been privileged enough to enjoy several of the situations they aspire for their son."

He continued: "The fact is, self-identity should not be imposed from the outside influences; it must be chosen, and it must be internally driven."

Acquiring Englishness

Naturally, English culture is something the CEO hopes can be instructed – and sold.

"In my view the fact that the global community holds us in this light is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating