Tutoring a Toddler to Become an 'English Gentleman' – Does It Justify the Money?

Child education concept
The firm responsible for the advert claims that what looks like "luxury or oddity" is actually "purposeful investment in initial instruction".

"A family located in North London wants to find an extraordinary and skilled instructor to guide their smallest child on his early path to turning into an English gentleman."

Looking at this advertisement, you might readily miss the term "beginning" as simple a turn of phrase.

But, it might be the crucial element of this unique employment listing, as it aims to recruit a teacher for a 12-month-old.

Hundreds of responses have since been sent in since the unidentified family published their request for the highly paid tutor, who needs to be "an exceptional individual".

In recent few weeks, the post has gained notice throughout the news, with numerous questioning why?

Forward-Thinking Method

The CEO, head and founder of an education consultancy, which is assisting the family in their quest, stated that notwithstanding early scepticism, he viewed the concept "far sighted", and "progressive".

When he spoke with the family, he noted they recognized the unusual nature of their requirement, and how early in age their son is.

But, they explained that they "didn't want to wait any longer" to engage a tutor, as they had postponed until their older child was five, and by that point "cultural influence had already become established".

What exactly did the family mean by "cultural leaning"?

It's "comprehensive", he answered. "How you eat, how you speak".

He stated the older sibling had adopted "really subtle, body language" from the family, and had taken on their cultural habits. The family explained to the consultant they wished to avoid the same situation to happen again with their new baby.

The plan: To bring in a UK tutor, who should speak with Received Pronunciation, to shape the baby right from the beginning.

Tutoring discussion
Tutors International state the listing has started a broader debate about how families view schooling, advantage and the role of home and culture in learning.

Natural Absorption

"Much of the learning at the beginning here is somewhat absorbed naturally," explained Adam.

It's through this osmosis that the family are hoping the child will adopt the British traits they wish to cultivate.

The consultant explained the tutor must be someone who studied at "the appropriate educational institutions – the same kinds of schools as the family plan to send their son to".

"The educator just has 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 successful candidate should ideally also have familiarity of or interest in horse riding, alpine skiing, creative fields and musical activities so as to inspire the child in a wide range of interests.

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

In the family's minds, helping their son grow into a "English gentleman" will result in achievement and provide access.

"Considering the advantages and disadvantages of that, because it's undoubtedly a status symbol," he comments.

Yet, in spite of all this instruction in "UK identity", could the child adopt what is termed cultural bias from the globally influenced family he lives with in any case?

"Yes", replied Adam. "The family understand this may not work, but they've just taken the view of, 'let's give it a go and we'll proceed as quickly as we can', because the cost of it is not a concern," he said.

Overly Optimistic

Several in the tutoring industry who share similar doubts.

An education leader, CEO and founder of a tutoring service, who also offer personal educators, commented that "the journey of adopting dual cultures, or indeed, becoming oneself, is something that must be experienced personally, not engineered."

He explained that he had emigrated from Asia to the United Kingdom at the age of seven, and had been brought up experiencing and living two backgrounds. He went on to be educated at the University of Cambridge.

Peter Cui portrait
Peter Cui was the first person born in the People's Republic of China to be selected to the post of Financial Officer of the Cambridge Union.

"The concept that an individual can function as a embodiment of UK identity, someone who can in some way transplant the characteristics of a UK sophisticate onto a infant child, strikes me as optimistic and unrealistic," he stated.

"From my perspective, engaging a distinctly English tutor from babyhood will will not necessarily create the goal they hope for.

"I did not have such a figure, and nevertheless I have been fortunate enough to experience several of the opportunities they aspire for their son."

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

Acquiring Englishness

Certainly, Britishness is something the CEO thinks can be instructed – and sold.

"I think the situation that the international society holds us in this regard is something that we should be cherishing|valuing|appreciating

Victoria Lane
Victoria Lane

Data scientist and BI consultant with over a decade of experience in transforming raw data into actionable business insights.