"Parents based in north London is looking for an remarkable and skilled tutor to assist their most junior child on his early path to turning into an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this advertisement, you might naturally overlook the phrase "first-steps" as simple figurative language.
However, it might be the most significant aspect of this unusual employment listing, as it attempts to hire a teacher for a infant.
Hundreds of responses have since been sent in since the unnamed family advertised their search for the highly paid tutor, who needs to be "someone very special".
Over the last few weeks, the post has attracted interest throughout the press, with several wondering why?
Forward-Thinking Method
The CEO, head and founder of Tutors International, which is supporting the family in their hunt, said that despite early scepticism, he viewed the idea "forward-looking", and "progressive".
When he met the family, he mentioned they appreciated the unconventional character of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
But, they stated that they "preferred not to postpone any longer" to get a tutor, as they had postponed until their older child was five, and by that point "cultural influence had by then become established".
What precisely did the family indicate by "cultural bias"?
It's "comprehensive", the expert replied. "How you eat, the way you speak".
He explained the older sibling had picked up "really subtle, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had assumed their cultural norms. The family informed Adam they wished to avoid this pattern to recur with their infant.
The strategy: To engage a English tutor, who should speak with standard English accent, to guide the baby from day one.
Natural Absorption
"A great deal of the education at the outset here is kind of osmotic," stated the expert.
It's via this osmosis that the family are hoping the child will pick up the British traits they want to impart.
The consultant noted the tutor had to be someone who attended "the right kinds of schools – the same kinds of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The educator just has to be the right kind of person, they'll be doing things they may not realize they're doing, simply by nature," he commented.
Money No Object
The family explained to him the successful candidate should preferably also have understanding of or enthusiasm in riding, alpine skiing, creative fields and music so as to influence the child in a diverse set of passions.
More than that though, he explained the family desired the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of classes so the child would be "pony-riding and learning an instrument by the time they are about three years old".
In the family's perspective, guiding their son become a "English gentleman" will lead to accomplishment and provide access.
"For all the rights and wrongs of that, because it's undoubtedly a status symbol," he notes.
But, in spite of all this guidance in "UK identity", might the child pick up what is termed cultural leaning from the globally influenced family he lives with anyway?
"Absolutely", replied he. "The family realize this may not work, but they've simply adopted the perspective of, 'let's give it a go and we'll proceed as quickly as we can', because the expense of it is irrelevant," he explained.
Impractical
There are some in the private teaching field who express those reservations.
Peter Cui, head and founder of Blue Education, who provides personal educators, stated that "the process of becoming bicultural, or in fact, becoming oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not designed."
He explained that he had relocated from China to the UK at the time of seven, and had been educated understanding and living both cultures. He progressed to learn at Cambridge University.
"The concept that a single person can function as a representation of UK identity, a person who can possibly impart the qualities of a British gentleman onto a infant child, seems to me optimistic and impractical," he stated.
"From my perspective, having a typically British tutor from babyhood will will not necessarily create the goal they want.
"I never had that kind of mentor, and nevertheless I have been lucky enough to experience many of the experiences they aspire for their son."
He added: "The truth is, self-identity should not be forced from the external environment; it must be embraced, and it must come from within."
Buying Britishness
Of course, Britishness is something the expert hopes can be taught – and marketed.
"I believe the situation that the world holds us in this respect is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating
