Talk:Nonformal learning

Lack of neutrality
This article displays a significant lack of neutrality and I have tagged it to reflect this. The respective value of formal and non-formal learning are hotly debated issues. The article discusses 'Importance', 'Advantages', and even the 'Necessity' of nonformal learning, each receiving their own dedicated section, but gives no mention whatsoever to limitations. I take no issue with explaining the advantages that some academics believe exist, but they must be described with proper respect to the fact that the formality or informality of effective learning is not a settled matter. — Preceding unsigned comment added by EditorPerson53 (talk • contribs) 02:27, 5 May 2022 (UTC)


 * Hi, could you provide us with examples of the limitations of nonformal learning given by academics? TomRichomme (talk) 10:10, 13 June 2023 (UTC)
 * I have written a disadvanatges section and am thus taking off the neutrality banner. TomRichomme (talk) 13:02, 13 June 2023 (UTC)

Nonformal Education or Learning?
I believe the content on this page would be more appropriately titled "nonformal education". The distinction between education and learning is subtle in everyday language but important to this topic. Learning occurs naturally without intervention from others and is a process of human development that changes skills, knowledge, or abilities. Education, however, is a man-made system of proscribed content intended to socialize the population to cultural norms.

Nonformal education has a long a rich tradition in research, dating back almost 100 years. Nonformal learning, by contrast, is an under-researched field with few practitioners. Rather than mucking up this page with conflicting content, I would suggest two separate pages be developed on the topic.

--Vprewitt (talk) 22:09, 17 May 2009 (UTC)

Learning or Education?

Learning and education are terms often used synonymously in error. Strictly speaking, learning is a developmental process engaged in by a learner that changes knowledge, skills, or abilities. Humans learn naturally and effortlessly without intervention. Education is a social institution that orients groups and individuals to a socially sanctioned way of seeing and being in the world. Educational systems are intended to be predictable and are characterized by explicit courses of study that are determined by educational authorities while learning outcomes are erratic and individual, the result of life experiences. Nonformal learning is one of three modes of learning.

I agree and favor inserting this. You have my support. Salto Youth Trainer nr 38.--SvenAERTS (talk) 14:22, 3 November 2010 (UTC)


 * I agree too. UNESCO and others are using non-formal education in their sites currently...
 * https://thailand.worlded.org/our-work/non-formal-education/
 * https://bangkok.unesco.org/tags/non-formal-education
 * Kortoso (talk) 14:02, 17 February 2021 (UTC)

Nonformal Education and Learning!
Other than suggested, nonformal learning is anything but "an under-researched field with few practitioners." There is enough empirical evidence and a substantial body of theory available to warrant an article on Wikipedia in its own right. It will indeed be necessary to make a clear distinction between nonformal education and nonformal learning - there should be separate articles on both - a distinction that can be made and argued and which is well enough documented elsewhere to reference it here. The lengthy description of the situation in India should be deleted altogether.

--Andreas Karsten (talk) 14:36, 24 November 2009 (UTC)

Link Formal - Non Formal Education in Europe
As recognized Youth Trainer by the EC's database of Youth Trainers recognized by the EC: Salto, I suggest to mention that Salto is the organisation collaborating in Europe in achieving Europe's goals on Non-Formal Education, a.o. by participating in sessions on the topic, by managing a database with Youth Trainers trained in the link between Formal and Non-Formal education, and providing trainings and toolkits to train trainers on the topic of "the link between Formal and Non-Formal education". Further I'd like to see mentioned that the EU spends X millions of € / year to foster Non-Formal Education for Youngsters and the numbers of youngsters she allows to participate - ever year - in events where they can experience, experiment and receive Non-Formal education. Do you think we should invite the Salto and Directorate General for Education and Culture and the Directorate General for Public Affairs to develop a basic text on the topic to be published here? --SvenAERTS (talk) 08:50, 27 November 2009 (UTC)

Isn't recognition the larger context?
The main aim of this article on nonformal learning and the article-to-be-created on nonformal education should be, I suggest, to provide a thematic overview. How are NFE&L defined? Which role do they play in different parts of the world? What are current discourses around NFE&L?

And yes, as Sven has suggested, the article should also look at recognition of NFE&L - but in this context much more than Salto would need to be addressed - the OECD is spearheading an initiative, there are plenty of instruments for recognition including but not limited to Youthpass...

Overall I would argue that doctoring around in the currently existing mess is pointless. We should delete what is currently there altogether and start from scratch. The existing text does not even come close to adhering to even the most basic quality standards of Wikipedia (as disputed as those may be), but it especially does not really address the topic either.

--Andreas Karsten (talk) 15:48, 29 November 2009 (UTC)

Where is the leadership by this Salto and OECD ? Why aren't they developing this in wikipedia? --SvenAERTS (talk) 14:34, 3 November 2010 (UTC)

Non-formal learning is not formally recognised within a curriculum or syllabus framework ?!
This is a request for comments to change the intro: "Non-formal learning ... is not formally recognised within a curriculum or syllabus framework ..." to "Non-formal learning ... . The formal recognition of non-formal education evaluations within a curriculum or syllabus framework, is debated upon.

And then references to salto-YOUTH.net and OECD.

Imho, how the intro is written now is e.g. in contradiction with following a little bit further in the article: "Countries involved in recognition of non-formal learning (OECD 2010)".--SvenAERTS (talk) 14:34, 3 November 2010 (UTC)

Not worldwide view?
Australia, Canada, Chile, Korea, Mexico, and South Africa are decidedly non-European. What's with the "not a worldwide view" message at the top of the article?

I'd never heard of the category "nonformal learning" (although I like the distinction), but was surprised to see the article flagged as Europe-centric when a fair number of examples were from well outside of Europe...

Dnorman (talk) 20:22, 22 April 2013 (UTC)


 * I agree and am removing the tag. especially since no one has supported the inclusion of the tag in response to your comment. PeterEastern (talk) 02:00, 22 December 2015 (UTC)

More countries
Apparently there are many countries that have signed up with OECD for non-formal education programs. Probably too many to list them all at this point.
 * https://www.oecd.org/countries
 * Kortoso (talk) 14:05, 17 February 2021 (UTC)

Wiki Education assignment: Adult Development Spring 2023
— Assignment last updated by Joshpalpsychology101 (talk) 20:44, 12 June 2023 (UTC)