UPDATE! My old life in the UK will end on September 9th, 2024. I depart for Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China late on Monday 9th. I have been awarded a contract to teach at Shanxi Normal University starting September. It is counter-signed by the vice principal and finalised. The contract begins in September; I will be saving up for a visit to my lady in Burkina Faso during the summer recess next year. Living costs are low in China; unlike in the UK I can actually ***SAVE*** (everything is just so expensive in the UK and it gets worse every year; try looking at rents in the UK and you will get a clue(!) and I will not begin a new family in poverty; it is not my way of doing things!). Here is the website: https://www.snnu.edu.cn/ David

I have a contract to teach at Shanxi Normal University from September 1st, 2024 to July 2025, inclusive, I have allocated some time for online students, with existing, regular, long-standing students given priority. I am not a big fan of trial lessons (Preply's version of modernday slavery), and it is easier to maintain an existing student base than to try to get new ones! Now, as I plan to spend holidays in Burkina Faso (later live wexpensive there permanently), I have decided to keep my home timezone as UTC and use an offset for China Standard Time (UTC+8), with blocks on timezones outside of my availability. This system is tried and tested, and has been used during three exchange visits previously. The only difference being that the timeperiod is longer. So, the blocks are in place, existing lessons already scheduled in the unavailable times need to be rescheduled - preferably by the student (if the student does not do so, I will!); in advance.

During the working week, five timeslots can be made available between 18:00 and 23:00 China Standard Time, with a maximum of 3 in use on a given night; and times between 15:00 and 23:00 China Standard time, at weekends on a discressionary basis. These times correspond to 10:00 to 15:00 UTC on weekdays, and 07:00 and 15:00 UTC weekends. As a broad rule, lunchtime in Europe is approximately evening in China; note that the exact corresponding times depend on your exact timezone and whether daylight saving time is in force. For example, in summer, Berlin on CET is at UTC+2, so 15:00 CST is 09:00 in Berlin. Note that China does not use daylight saving time, and that the entireity of China is in UTC+8.

Please note that my profile will be hidden if enough timeslots are filled and that changes may need to be made occasionally due to operational requirrements.

After July 17, 2025, I expect to revert to my previous availability as I plan to spend the summer recess in Burkina Faso. I may renew my contract the following academic year; further details will be provided as the time approaches. Times may vary during periods of travel or holiday periods.

Finally, please note that my real-time timetable can be viewed here. Any questions or issues? You know where I am. David, 10th August, 2024.