Air University offers online language training Published Sept. 8, 2006 By Christine Harrison Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFPN) -- Air University officials here are offering an opportunity to active-duty company grade officers to study a foreign language online at no cost. In an effort to fulfill the Air Force chief of staff's guidance to develop culturally and linguistically competent Airmen, Air University will present the opportunity to develop skills in 28 foreign languages through the Rosetta Stone Online Language Learning Center. Squadron Officer College, the Air University college for development of lieutenants and captains, has 920 licenses and is making them immediately available servicewide. Air Force officers can take part in this opportunity to learn a new language skill or brush up on an existing ability. "This is a great opportunity for company grade officers to better prepare themselves to contribute in a challenging, expeditionary environment," said Col. Barbara Faulkenberry, commandant of Squadron Officer College. "These skills will help Airmen communicate with allies and build bridges across cultures." Students who enroll in the course will have up to one year to use it. To apply, company grade officers must first receive permission from their supervisor, then go to the Squadron Officer College Web site at http://soc.maxwell.af.mil/soc_dirs.htm and click on the Rosetta Stone link. Once there, register for the course and submit the Defense Language Institute language assessment survey. Students will then receive log-in information via e-mail. At that point, the only requirement is an Internet connection to complete the lessons. "You should plan to spend three to five hours per week using the course," said Capt. Gary Mears, chair of Distance Learning Programs. "If you are inactive in the course for three weeks, you will lose your account." Upon completion of the course, or at the one-year point, students will be required to retake the Defense Language Institute survey as well as take a Defense Language Proficiency Test in the language studied. These scores will be reported back to Squadron Officer College, and the DLPT will be a permanent part of the student's record. (Courtesy Air Education and Training Command News Service)