Discussion of the teaching of English for special purposes (ESP) challenges two assumptions: that ESP (1) is for adults; and (2) should be taught after students have mastered a core of general English skills. Further, it is proposed that it may be more appropriate to teach ESP in upper secondary education. The paper draws on teaching experience in a Malay-medium Brunei secondary school, where students of English as a Second Language (ESL) were not well motivated and did not learn English well until taught English for specific purposes (ESP), (in this case, academic), which emphasized study skills. An overview is given of the current education system in Brunei, and sociocultural factors in Brunei society that do not support the learning of general ESL, including minimal inter-ethnic use of English, small degree of extra-cultural contact, fear of Western cultural encroachment, and attitudes that are not always favorable. It is argued that in this context, motivation to learn English must be derived from the language content taught. A survey of secondary students indicates that they have clear perceptions of their language needs, for academic English skills. Integration of EAP with secondary school content area instruction is recommended, with general English taught in postsecondary education. (Contains 20 references.) (MSE)