Featured group webinar: Reading as a skill of survival

This webinar is organised within the eTwinning featured group ‘Literacy, media literacy and critical thinking’ and explores how literature out of literature can transform literacy education and narrow the reading gap.

Registration:

26.03.2025 - 08.04.2025

Speakers:

Carol Barriuso, Aleksis Salusjärvi

Ended on: 08.04.2025

Ended at: 05:00 PM (Europe/Brussels)

Duration: 1 hour

Webinar information

Description

During the webinar organised within the eTwinning featured group Literacy, media literacy and critical thinking, speaker Aleksis Salusjärvi explores how to engage young people who dislike reading and struggle with literacy. Despite Finland’s reputation as a leading reading nation, it also has the widest literacy gap among OECD countries, with 13.5% of the population being somewhat illiterate. This webinar introduces a proven approach using rap lyrics and unconventional texts to make reading relevant and accessible.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, share, and be inspired!

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Download the presentation used in the webinar

The content of this webinar reflects the views only of the authors. The European Commission does not endorse any views, opinions or advice expressed by the speakers/presenters of this webinar.

About the speakers

Carol Barriuso

Moderator of the featured group ‘Literacy, media literacy and critical thinking’

Carol Barriuso is an English teacher, teacher trainer, and EdTech educator passionate about fostering innovative and collaborative learning. As an eTwinning Ambassadress and Moderator, she helps like-minded teachers connect and engage in meaningful cross-border activities and projects.

With a MasterRes in eLearning and an MA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, she has dedicated their career to advancing technology and language education. Currently pursuing a PhD in Cognitive Science and Language, her research focuses on language learning through the eTwinning platform, exploring how collaboration and technology can transform education.

Aleksis Salusjärvi

Aleksis Salusjärvi is a Finnish literature educator and cultural journalist dedicated to bridging the reading gap among young people who struggle with literacy. With a background in literature and cultural journalism, he has developed innovative teaching methods that engage reluctant readers—particularly through rap lyrics and “literature outside of literature.” His groundbreaking work in literacy education was recognized with the The FELA 2024 Literacy Award, highlighting his impact on promoting reading as a vital life skill

Additional information

Language:

English
Target audience:

Teacher

Head Teacher / Principal

Teacher Educator
Target audience country:
Target audience ISCED:

Primary education (ISCED 1)

Lower secondary education (ISCED 2)

Upper secondary education (ISCED 3)