community education: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to neutral, primarily used in academic, policy, and professional social/educational contexts.
Quick answer
What does “community education” mean?
Organized educational activities provided within and for a local community, often aimed at adults, focusing on skills, knowledge, and personal development to improve community well-being.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Organized educational activities provided within and for a local community, often aimed at adults, focusing on skills, knowledge, and personal development to improve community well-being.
A philosophy and practice of education that prioritizes the needs of a specific community, often characterized by being learner-centered, accessible, non-formal, and aimed at social change or empowerment. It can encompass adult literacy, vocational training, parenting classes, leisure learning, and programs addressing local social issues.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both varieties with near-identical meaning. In the UK, it is historically linked to Local Education Authorities and adult education institutes. In the US, it is often associated with 'community schools' and outreach programs by community colleges or public libraries.
Connotations
UK: May have stronger historical ties to post-WWII social democracy and local government provision. US: Often connotes grassroots initiatives, lifelong learning, and practical skill-building for economic mobility.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK institutional naming (e.g., 'Community Education Centre'), but the concept is equally prevalent in US discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “community education” in a Sentence
[Community education] + [verb: improves, empowers, focuses on, addresses][The council/college] + [provides/offers] + [community education] + [in/on + topic][Participation/Investment] + [in] + [community education]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “community education” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The local authority aims to community-educate residents on recycling.
- They are community-educating through workshops.
American English
- The nonprofit works to community-educate voters on their rights.
- We need to community-educate about public health.
adverb
British English
- The programme was run community-educationally.
- (Rare usage)
American English
- They worked community-educationally with local groups.
- (Rare usage)
adjective
British English
- She has a community-education background.
- The community-education approach is learner-led.
American English
- He works in a community-education role.
- They adopted a community-education model.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) reports: 'The firm's CSR strategy includes sponsoring community education in digital skills.'
Academic
Common in sociology, education, and social policy: 'The study evaluated the impact of community education on social cohesion in deprived urban areas.'
Everyday
Used when discussing local classes or facilities: 'I'm taking a pottery course at the community education centre.'
Technical
Specific in educational policy and administration, referring to funding streams, provider types, and curricular frameworks.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “community education”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “community education”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “community education”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a community education' – usually uncountable).
- Confusing it with 'community *school*', which is a specific type of school.
- Misspelling as 'comunity education'.
- Using it to refer to standard primary/secondary schooling.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, but it can include family learning or youth programmes. Its core focus is on post-compulsory, non-formal education for the wider community.
Not exactly. A community college is an institution that may *provide* community education, but it also offers formal qualifications and degree courses. Community education is a type of provision, not an institution.
Local governments, community colleges, charities, NGOs, libraries, religious institutions, and sometimes private providers in partnership with public bodies.
It is often subsidized and low-cost, but not always free. Many courses have a nominal fee to cover materials and administration.
Organized educational activities provided within and for a local community, often aimed at adults, focusing on skills, knowledge, and personal development to improve community well-being.
Community education is usually formal to neutral, primarily used in academic, policy, and professional social/educational contexts. in register.
Community education: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈmjuːnəti ˌɛdʒʊˈkeɪʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈmjuːnəti ˌɛdʒəˈkeɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Education for the community, by the community”
- “Learning beyond the classroom walls”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COMMUNity coming together to EDUcate its members – COMMUNity EDUcation.
Conceptual Metaphor
EDUCATION IS A PUBLIC UTILITY (like water or electricity, provided for collective welfare). COMMUNITY IS A LEARNING ORGANISM (a living entity that grows and adapts through shared knowledge).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely to be a primary goal of community education?