Tutoring a Toddler to Grow into an 'English Gentleman' – Does It Justify the Cost?
"Parents residing in north London is looking for an remarkable and experienced educator to support their most junior child on his first steps to growing into an British gentleman."
Upon seeing this advertisement, you might naturally miss the term "initial stages" as just a turn of phrase.
But, it could be the most important aspect of this unique position posting, as it attempts to hire a tutor for a infant.
Many of submissions have since been sent in since the unnamed family advertised their call for the £180,000 per year tutor, who must be "an exceptional individual".
Over the last few weeks, the post has attracted notice throughout the news, with numerous questioning why?
Innovative Idea
A tutoring expert, CEO and founder of Tutors International, which is supporting the family in their search, said that notwithstanding initial doubt, he found the concept "forward-looking", and "advanced".
When he met the family, he mentioned they recognized the unusual nature of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.
Nevertheless, they stated that they "were unwilling to delay any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had held off until their elder sibling was five, and by that age "cultural influence had by then become established".
What exactly did the family mean by "cultural leaning"?
It's "all-encompassing", he replied. "The manner you eat, the way you speak".
He stated the elder child had absorbed "extremely delicate, non-verbal cues" from the family, and had assumed their cultural ways. The family informed the consultant they hoped to prevent this pattern to recur with their infant.
The strategy: To bring in a English tutor, who should speak with Received Pronunciation, to guide the baby from day one.
Subtle Influence
"Much of the learning at the outset here is rather acquired indirectly," stated Adam.
It's through this subtle influence that the family are hoping the child will pick up the English characteristics they wish to instil.
The consultant said the tutor had to be somebody who attended "the right kinds of schools – the same kinds of schools as the family aspire to send their son to".
"The tutor simply needs to be the suitable individual, they'll be performing things they may not realize they're doing, simply by nature," he commented.
Money No Object
The family told the expert the chosen tutor should preferably also have familiarity of or enthusiasm in riding, alpine skiing, artistic pursuits and musical activities so as to inspire the child in a diverse set of passions.
Additionally though, he explained the family desired the tutor to sign up the child on a selection of courses so the child would be "equestrian training and learning an instrument by the time they are around three years old".
In the family's minds, guiding their son become a "English gentleman" will result in achievement and provide access.
"Taking into account the pros and cons of that, because it's definitely a social class indicator," he adds.
However, despite all this instruction in "Britishness", might the child pick up what is termed cultural leaning from the multicultural family he is raised by in any case?
"Certainly", replied he. "The family know this may not work, but they've merely embraced the view of, 'let's give it a go and let's go as early as we can', because the cost of it is not relevant," he explained.
Impractical
Several in the education sector who share similar doubts.
An education leader, head and founder of a tutoring service, who provides private tutors, commented that "the development of becoming bicultural, or actually, discovering oneself, is something that must be lived into, not manufactured."
He noted that he had moved from Asia to the Britain at the period of childhood, and had been raised experiencing and living two backgrounds. He went on to study at a prestigious UK institution.
"The notion that one individual can act as a representation of UK identity, an individual who can in some way impart the characteristics of a English gentleman onto a infant child, appears naive and unfeasible," he wrote.
"From my perspective, having a distinctly British tutor from early childhood will will not instantly produce the result they desire.
"I wasn't provided with that kind of mentor, and however I have been fortunate enough to live many of the experiences they aspire for their son."
He continued: "The fact is, personal identity should not be forced from the outside influences; it must be selected, and it must be internally driven."
Purchasing UK Culture
Of course, UK identity is something the expert thinks can be educated – and sold.
"I think the situation that the global community holds us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating