Maria Luisa De Luca

Maria Luisa Deluca was raised in Rome , Italy , where she earned a law degree at La Sapienza University. She is a vibrant and energetic woman who is fluent in English, Italian, Spanish and Serbo-Croatian, as well as in American and Italian business operations.

While attending College and Law School , Luisa tutored high school and college students in numerous subjects, including Latin, Greek, English, Italian Literature, and grammar, which ignited a passion for the study of language that burns today. She has been a member of the Italian Scouts Association for 20 years, and a Scout Leader for almost ten and in those roles, developed variety of unique teaching methods that she continues to utilize.

Luisa has a strong affinity for languages and has incorporated that interest in all aspects of her past and current work. While in law school, Luisa worked as a registered interpreter and translator for the Court. As a practicing attorney, she translated numerous documents for criminal, civil and class-action suits, as well as translating contractual language for American, Spanish and Italian business ventures. Luisa has also worked outside of the legal field, translating financial documents, periodicals and advertising materials. She also has spent the past 8 years working in the financial industry with Risk Management and Merchant Level Sales.

In 2004, Maria Luisa DeLuca and Paola D'Amato established the Institute for Italian Studies, realizing their mutual goal of bringing the culture, heritage and allure of Italy alive through the intense study of its language, food and travel.

Luisa has lived in the United States since 2001 and currently resides in Falmouth, Maine with her family.

Paola D'Amato

Paola was born and raised in Trieste, where she studied at the University there and graduated with highest honors, earning her Laurea in Modern and Contemporary Italian Literature. Her passion and interest in foreign languages, literature and other cultures led her to teach Italian to adults and children.

Paola acquired a solid teaching experience in Italy, where she taught in a private language institute, autonomously creating and planning lessons, guiding and bringing students to sites of cultural interest, helping to integrate them to Italian culture and lifestyle.

In October 1999, Paola came to the United States and has been teaching Italian language and culture at all levels in Portland. She also acquired a great deal of experience teaching at Colby College, in Waterville, Maine. Paola lives in Falmouth with her husband.