Words Matter Rap Workshops Awarded With FELA Award for Innovative Literacy Promotion in Europe

The 2024 FELA Award for Innovative Literacy Promotion in Europe is awarded to the project Words matter – supporting adolescent literacy in rap workshops, nominated by FinRA (Finnish Reading Association).

Words matter teaches reading skills as a tool for survival

Words matter started in 2016 in Helsinki. The idea was to encourage ill-motivated vocational school students in reading via rap-lyrics. After 100 workshops all around Finland the program expanded to special education in elementary schools and also prisons. The idea was to reach all young age groups in Finland who struggle in reading, and in life.

After eight years Words matter has reached close to 10 000 13–29-year youngsters, who dislike reading. Rap lyrics has opened a way to literature outside of literature. Workshops are held by specialists: Emmi Jäkkö and Aleksis Salusjärvi started the program as professionals of literature. Mikko Sarjanen came in as a rap-artist and songwriter. Speech therapist Hanna Markkanen helped us to formulate the workshops in to special education.

Multi-professional cooperation has been the key to success. Words matter is a unique way to teach reading skills to people who dislike reading.