WOULD-be bar stewards, cabinet makers and Chinese philosophers could soon be among adult learners thronging Swindon College.

The college has just released its latest Adult Learners' Directory, and says its course list is the biggest and best ever.

More than 1,000 courses are listed in the directory, 33 of which are new for the 2002/03 academic year.

And more than ever before, the standard courses rub shoulders with some rather more exotic ones.

Chinese philosophy, for example,is explored in a one-day course called Taoism The Dragon & The Peach.

Taoism is an ancient Buddhist philosophy, and students will learn its basic concepts and their day-to-day application.

Students will also touch on subjects such as the tai chi exercise technique, the I Ching method of divination and Chinese astrology.

The course is scheduled to take place at the Haydon Centre on Saturday, November 16, costing £21.

For those whose tastes are a little less unusual, the college also offers dozens of courses in more traditional subjects, such as childcare.

Available for the first time this year, for example, is the Red Cross Babysitting Certificate.

This is a 10-week course for anyone aged 14 or over who wants to gain confidence in babysitting.

Another new course, the Foundation Degree in Early Years, involves three years of part-time study for those working in childcare who want to works toward a higher education qualification.

Those who favour something more creative can also choose from a new range of courses, including paper quilling, French polishing, creative floral design and curtain-making.

Di Jenks from the college's School of Community Education said: "We are really pleased to offer even more courses than ever before to people in the local community.

"We're also offering the courses at more venues and times than ever before, which makes learning really flexible and easy."

Principal Mike Hopkins said: "The college had more than 17,000 adult learners enrolled last year and has a deep-seated commitment to lifelong learning.

"Our community learning programme is aimed to provide for people with different needs."

For more information on any of the courses, or for a copy of the Adult Learners Directory, prospective students are asked to call free on (0800) 731 2250.