What is non formal learning?

During all your live you learn in formal (like school, university), non-formal (courses, sports club) and informal (from parents and friends) settings. But what does this mean? What is behind this terms? We want to present you definitions of formal, non-formal and informal learning are based on Lynne Chisholm, who is a professor in Innsbruck/Austria and who has a lot of expereince in the youth field:.

Non formal learning

... is purposive but voluntary learning that takes place in a diverse range of environments and situations for which teaching/training and learning is not necessarily their sole or main activity. These environments and situations may be temporarly, and the activities or courses that take place may be staffed by professional learning facilitators (such as youth trainers) or by volunteers (such as youth leaders). The activities and courses are planned, but are seldomly structured by conventional rhythms or curriculum subjects. They usually address specific target groups, but rarely document or assess learning outcomes or achievements in conventionally visible ways.

If you want you can already look on your Youth Initiative project: Do you participate voluntary? Is this an temporarely environment? Did you structure your process and plan the activity? Then you are in a non-forma learning process!

Formal learning

...is purposive learning that takes place in a distinct and institutionalised

environment specifically designed for teaching/training and learning, which is staffed by learning facilitators who are specifically qualified for the sector, level and subject concerned and which usually serves a specified category of learners (defined by age, level and specialism). Learning aims are almost always externally set, learning progress is usually monitored and assessed, and learning outcomes are usually recognised by certificates or diplomas. Much formal learning provision is compulsory (school education).

Informal learning

From the learner's standpoint at least, this is non-purposive learning which takes place in everyday life contexts in the family, at work, during leisure and in the

community. It does have outcomes, but these are seldomly recorded, virtually never certified and are typically neither immediately visible for the learner nor do they count in themselves for education, training or employment purposes.

Think about your own learning path so far: Where and how did you learn - in a formal, non-formal and informal setting? What are your experiences? What do you prefer?