Modernizing EMP Curriculum in Higher Education Through Learner Insights

The paper explores the teaching of English for Media Purposes (EMP) within the university and academic environment, with a particular focus on the study programme Mediamatics and Cultural Heritage at the University of Žilina, Slovakia. The media field is marked by continuous evolution, driven by rapid technological innovation, platform diversification, emerging digital practices, multimodal content, and shifting audience engagement strategies. Consequently, the content and vocabulary of study materials must also be regularly updated. In the academic year 2024/2025, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 97 respondents, including both students and graduates of the programme. The primary aim was to evaluate their satisfaction with the content and quality of EMP study materials used during their university studies. Specifically, the research focused on identifying which topics were thoroughly practiced, which were insufficiently covered but desired for future inclusion, and which were presented in an outdated format. The findings have offered concrete insights and recommendations that can enrich the development of new study materials. These will incorporate contemporary teaching strategies, updated content, and practice-oriented activities in the domains such as old and new media, advertising and marketing, social media, ICT, graphic design, ethics and society and economics. The revised materials are scheduled for implementation and publication in the autumn semester of 2025/2026.