: Communications in Non-Formal Education Institutions. This multi-site qualitative study aims at describing the process of communication using kato mandaki, kato manurun, kato mandata, and kato malereng in the formal and informal communication network among the employers of nonformal education institutions. A modified analytical induction method was used to analyze the data collected from three Sanggar Kegiatan Belajar (Learning-Activity Centers) in Minangkabau region through in-depth interviews and participatory observation. The findings show that the uses of kato manurun, kato mandaki, kato mandata, and kato melereng in both formal and informal communications in the three institutions under study depend on the communication purposes, social relationship between people communicating, and the degree of formality in the communication contexts
