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"A family located in North London is looking for an extraordinary and skilled instructor to guide their youngest child on his early path to turning into an British gentleman."

When reading this post, you might naturally skip the phrase "beginning" as simple a turn of phrase.

But, it could be the crucial aspect of this unique job advert, as it attempts to hire a tutor for a infant.

Hundreds of applications have already been received since the unnamed family posted their request for the highly paid tutor, who needs to be "an exceptional individual".

During the past few weeks, the listing has gained attention across the media, with several questioning why?

Innovative Idea

A tutoring expert, head and founder of Tutors International, which is helping the family in their quest, said that in spite of initial doubt, he viewed the idea "forward-looking", and "progressive".

When he spoke with the family, he mentioned they understood the atypical aspect of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.

However, they explained that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to get a tutor, as they had waited until their elder sibling was five, and by that point "cultural conditioning had already taken hold".

What exactly does the family mean by "cultural bias"?

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

He said the older sibling had picked up "really subtle, body language" from the family, and had adopted their cultural norms. The family told Adam they did not want history to happen again with their new baby.

The plan: To engage a UK tutor, who must speak with Received Pronunciation, to influence the baby from day one.

Natural Absorption

"Much of the education at the outset here is somewhat osmotic," explained Adam.

It's via this subtle influence that the family are hoping the child will acquire the English characteristics they wish to impart.

The consultant noted the tutor had to be someone who studied at "the right kinds of schools – comparable categories of schools as the family hope to send their son to".

"The instructor just has to be the appropriate candidate, they'll be carrying out things they don't even know they're doing, just naturally," he said.

Money No Object

The family informed the expert the chosen tutor should ideally also have knowledge of or passion in riding, winter sports, creative fields and instrumental training so as to influence the child in a broad spectrum of passions.

Additionally though, he stated the family hoped the tutor to enrol the child on a range of classes so the child would be "pony-riding and starting an musical instrument by the time they are about three years old".

In the family's view, helping their son develop into a "UK sophisticate" will result in success and provide access.

"Considering the pros and cons of that, because it's undoubtedly a class statement," he adds.

Yet, notwithstanding all this tutelage in "English culture", could the child pick up what is termed cultural bias from the international family he lives with anyway?

"Certainly", answered he. "They know this might not succeed, but they've merely embraced the attitude of, 'we should try and let's go as early as we can', because the expense of it is irrelevant," he explained.

Idealistic and Unrealistic

Several in the private teaching field who express these doubts.

Another CEO, head and founder of Blue Education, who supplies private tutors, commented that "the journey of adopting dual cultures, or indeed, forming one's identity, is something that must be experienced personally, not manufactured."

Peter explained that he had moved from the Far East to the United Kingdom at the time of 7 years old, and had been educated knowing and practicing both cultures. He went on to study at Cambridge University.

"The idea that a single person can function as a embodiment of Britishness, someone who can in some way transplant the characteristics of a UK sophisticate to a one-year-old child, appears naive and unrealistic," he commented.

"Based on my background, engaging a distinctly UK tutor from babyhood will not necessarily achieve the result they want.

"I did not have such a figure, and however I have been privileged enough to enjoy many of the situations they desire for their son."

He stated: "The fact is, cultural identity cannot be dictated from the outside; it must be embraced, and it must come from within."

Buying Britishness

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

"I believe the fact that the global community regards us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating