Formal, informal and non-formal learning and competences
FORMAL
The competences that are acquired from formal learning (e.g. in an education or training institution or on the job). The strategics to get these competences are explicitly designed in terms of objectives, time or resources. Formal learning leads to validation and certification.
INFORMAL
The competences adquired from daily activities related to work, family or leisure. It is not organised or structured in terms of objectives, time or learning support. These competences are taken from informal learning which is mostly unintentional from the learner's perspective.
NON-FORMAL
The competences which are adquired from learning embedded in planned activities not always explicitly designated as learning (in terms of learning objectives, learning time or learning support), but which contain an important learning element. Non-formal learning is intentional from the learner's point of view.