MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- To help Marines and sailors test their knowledge of foreign languages, the education center here can schedule proctoring for language tests, through the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center.

 The school, based out of Monterey, Calif., offers online tests to service members who want to certify their knowledge of a foreign language in their service record book, explained Gunnery Sgt. Scott S. Cavanagh, the education officer for the air station. They also proctor tests via the phone.

 “When a Marine gets certified, if they score high enough, they can receive extra pay and accreditation at some colleges,” said Cavanagh.

 The U.S. Department of Education accredits the institute for college language studies. If service members want to specialize in a foreign language, the institute will award an associate of art’s degree to service members who meet the graduation and education requirements.

 They can test for many different languages ranging from Arabic to different dialects of Chinese, explained Cavanagh.

 The institute also offers Marines and sailors a chance to learn words and phrases of many foreign dialects they may find useful when they deploy.

 The language center’s Web site,www.dliflc.edu, lists key phrases for regional words Marines might need to say while deployed, explained Cavanagh. If a Marine deploys and wants to know some phrases people say in Iraq, they can visit the Lingnet section of the Web site and look up a list of Arabic words associated with their job. They can then use the knowledge learned while interacting with the locals and providing humanitarian aid.

 The command can also order CD’s and pamphlets online and distribute them to the Marines.

 Marines seeking to learn a new language or brush up on one can also use the station’s library materials to prepare for the language diagnostic exams. The library has books available to service members to use.

 The materials are all free, all people have to do is check them out, explained Thelma Halebesky, a librarian at the station library. The library has Rosetta Stone language software available for Marines to use.

 “If junior Marines or sailors receive language training they can make accomplishing the mission a lot easier,” said Cavanagh.

 Service members can contact the library at 858-577-6315 and the education center at 858-577-1801.