According to the 2002 National Adult Learning Survey, more than three quarters of people aged over 16 having taken part in further education in the past three years.

One adult learner's studying is about to take her to the other side of the world.

Elisa Paterno, 38, from Bromley, enjoyed her career as a buyer for Marks and Spencer, but after hearing family members enthuse about their careers as classroom assistants, she decided to have a go herself.

She attended an open evening at Bromley College of Further and Higher Education in September 2004 and enrolled on the 12-week, National Council for Further Education classroom assistant evening course.

Elisa said: "The course gave me a really good grasp of what was needed to become a classroom assistant.

My tutor was very enthusiastic and friendly, which made learning a fun experience.

"I only worked four days a week, so on my day off I spent a morning at a primary school for a term to gain some first-hand experience."

She was not sure where this course was going to take her and after an inspirational 15-day visit to China last year she felt restless and in need of a new challenge.

After doing some research on the internet, Elisa found a company which specialised in teaching and travel in China.

She enrolled on a six-month programme which involves completing a four-week intensive teaching and training programme and a placement in a private school in China, teaching English.

She is currently taking evening classes in Mandarin so she can communicate with others when she arrives in August.

Elisa said: "Not only was it a valuable and enjoyable course, but a year on it has provided me with the skills to embark on my next adventure it's funny how a course can open up new opportunities.

"My bosses were really encouraging when I told them I wanted a career break, especially when I told them what I was going to do.

"The plan is to return to Marks and Spencer when I get back next year, but who knows what will be around the corner when I get back."