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"A family based in North London is looking for an extraordinary and qualified instructor to guide their smallest child on his first steps to growing into an British gentleman."

Looking at this post, you might naturally overlook the phrase "initial stages" as just a turn of phrase.

But, it may be the most important part of this distinctive position posting, as it attempts to find a mentor for a one-year-old.

Hundreds of applications have now been received since the unnamed family published their request for the £180,000 per year tutor, who must be "someone very special".

During the past few weeks, the advert has gained attention in the press, with numerous wondering why?

Progressive Approach

A tutoring expert, head and founder of Tutors International, which is assisting the family in their hunt, stated that in spite of early scepticism, he considered the idea "visionary", and "innovative".

When he spoke with the family, he noted they appreciated the atypical character of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.

But, they stated that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to hire a tutor, as they had waited until their elder sibling was five, and by that point "cultural bias had by then set in".

But what did the family refer to by "cultural bias"?

It's "everything", Adam responded. "How you eat, the manner you speak".

He said the older sibling had adopted "very nuanced, body language" from the family, and had assumed their cultural habits. The family explained to him they wished to avoid history to recur with their new baby.

The plan: To hire a British tutor, who should speak with standard English accent, to guide the baby from the very start.

Natural Absorption

"A lot of the education at the outset here is somewhat osmotic," said the expert.

It's via this natural absorption that the family are aiming the child will pick up the English characteristics they aim to cultivate.

The consultant explained the tutor had to be an individual who attended "prestigious academies – the same kinds of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".

"The instructor simply needs to be the right kind of person, they'll be performing things they may not realize they're doing, effortlessly," he said.

Cost Not Relevant

The family explained to Adam the selected educator should preferably also have understanding of or passion in riding, alpine skiing, the arts and instrumental training so as to inspire the child in a diverse set of interests.

Furthermore though, he said the family desired the tutor to sign up the child on a range of courses so the child would be "equestrian training and starting an musical instrument by the time they are around three years old".

In the family's perspective, assisting their son grow into a "British gentleman" will bring about achievement and create opportunities.

"Taking into account the pros and cons of that, because it's undoubtedly a social class indicator," he adds.

Yet, notwithstanding all this tutelage in "English culture", might the child adopt so-called cultural influence from the international family he lives with in any case?

"Yes", said the CEO. "The family know this might not succeed, but they've simply adopted the view of, 'we should try and let's go as quickly as we can', because the price of it is irrelevant," he stated.

Impractical

There are some in the private teaching field who have similar reservations.

An education leader, head and founder of Blue Education, who supplies private tutors, commented that "the journey of becoming bicultural, or indeed, becoming oneself, is something that must be grown into, not engineered."

Peter wrote that he had emigrated from Asia to the Britain at the age of 7 years old, and had been educated experiencing and living both cultures. He went on to learn at the University of Cambridge.

"The concept that one individual can act as a living vessel of Britishness, a person who can somehow impart the qualities of a British gentleman onto a 12-month-old child, strikes me as idealistic and impractical," he wrote.

"In my experience, engaging a typically British tutor from infancy will not instantly create the goal they want.

"I did not have that kind of mentor, and yet I have been lucky enough to enjoy numerous of the experiences they aspire for their son."

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

Acquiring Englishness

Of course, English culture is something the expert believes can be taught – and sold.

"I believe the fact that the international society views us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating