A work-study program was designed to provide black inner-city youths with instruction and guidance in skills needed in their current jobs, especially their ability to speak standard English. The program used the technique of modeling to arouse students' motivation to adopt standard spoken English. Research has shown that the use of a model will be more effective if the students perceive the model to be like themselves, if the model has had personal success with the behavior and possesses status and competence, and if the students can see several models using the desired behavior. Therefore, the initial model chosen for this program was a black female teacher who explained the differences between black and standard English and when each was appropriate to use. The students' problem areas were the substitution of "d" for "th," speaking too rapidly, and speech that was mumbled and unclear. Drills included practicing pronunciation in pairs and groups and with a tape recorder. Students were instructed to listen carefully to the speech of black teachers and other influential blacks, including speakers invited to the class. Students were then asked to give a talk about themselves. There was a marked improvement in the students' speech and self-assurance, and the employers noticed their efforts to speak more clearly. (HTH)