nonformal
Outside official channels
Nonformal describes education or learning that happens outside traditional academic institutions but is still organized and intentional—workplace training, community workshops, adult literacy programs.
It occupies middle ground between formal schooling and informal learning from daily experience: nonformal education programs, nonformal learning environments.
The term appears mainly in educational policy and development contexts.
Able to adjust readily
- adjustableAble to be changed
- relaxedFree of stress
- looseNot firmly secured
- casualRelaxed and informal
unstructured · fluid · open-ended · improvisational · spontaneous · freeform · unscripted · organic
Departing from standard practice
- alternativeAnother available choice
- experimentalTesting new methods
- creativeProducing original ideas
- improvisedCreated without prior planning
resourceful · DIY · makeshift · adaptive · community-driven
Learning trade through employment
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
- peer educationSame-age knowledge sharing
- workshopPlace for making or learning
- vocational trainingJob-skill education
skills development · adult literacy · self-directed learning · lifelong learning · knowledge sharing · hands-on · practical skills · on-the-job
Common people as political base
- neighborhoodResidential area nearby
- cooperativeJointly operated enterprise
- collectiveJointly organized group
- communeShared-living community
fellowship · network · alliance · association · guild · circle · clan · club
adaptable
Able to adjust readily
- adjustableAble to be changed
- relaxedFree of stress
- looseNot firmly secured
casual · unstructured · fluid · open-ended · improvisational · spontaneous · freeform · unscripted · organic · responsive
unconventional
Departing from standard practice
- alternativeAnother available choice
- experimentalTesting new methods
- creativeProducing original ideas
improvised · resourceful · DIY · makeshift · adaptive · community-driven
apprenticeship
Learning trade through employment
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
- peer educationSame-age knowledge sharing
- workshopPlace for making or learning
vocational training · skills development · adult literacy · self-directed learning · lifelong learning · knowledge sharing · hands-on · practical skills · on-the-job · experiential
grassroots
Common people as political base
- neighborhoodResidential area nearby
- cooperativeJointly operated enterprise
- collectiveJointly organized group
commune · fellowship · network · alliance · association · guild · circle · clan · club · congregation
nonformalformal
Following strict protocol
academic · institutional · official · structured · accredited
formal, informal, formation, format, formality, formalize, informally, informality, formalist