Dr. Mario Macaluso was born in Italy in 1939 and he emigrated to the United States with his mother and sister when he was 18 years old. At that time, he didn't speak a word of English. After learning the language by watching television and other self-taught methods, Macaluso decided to continue his studies in the United States and attend school.

He received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Niagara University, a master's in French language and literature from Hunter College, a PhD in French literature from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and a Specialist diploma in School Administration and Supervision from Queens College.

He then moved to Plainview with his wife and they have lived there for over 30 years. During his professional career, Dr. Macaluso taught romance and classical languages and was also the department chairperson of foreign languages at Syosset High School for 30 years. He retired from Syosset High School in 1996. He also taught liberal arts courses at various colleges and taught and supervised the foreign language student-teaching program at the State University at Stony Brook.

Dr. Macaluso has written four books since 1999, with his most recent book Dr. Mario Macaluso's Practical Guide to AP Italian Language and Culture, was just published by DrMacpress LLC in September. This adds to the list of his works, including My Mother: Memoir of a Sicilian Woman, Prickly Pears and Oleanders and Sunday Spiritual Bouquets.

This practical guide, which does not pretend to be a textbook, is the first and only one available in this field of study. It contains authentic materials, and a great variety of practice exercises, which makes it an excellent choice for teachers and students of AP Italian Language and Culture, according to Dr. Macaluso.

For the first time in the history of foreign language teaching the College Board has accepted to offer an Advanced Placement Exam in Italian (AP Exam) to high school students who take the course for college credit. Students will earn college credits if they pass the test, thus saving time and money. Supported monetarily by the Italian Government and national Italian American groups, and urged by Italian Teachers Associations throughout the country, the College Board has accepted to design a curriculum and prepare a test for a course called: "AP Italian Language and Culture." "I wondered how one could teach a new and challenging college level course without appropriate materials and I knew that teachers and students were going to walk into the course looking for help," said Dr. Macaluso.

"Foreseeing this need for appropriate and up-to-date materials for AP Italian, I decided to write a practical guide, an answer key and also tape a CD," said Dr. Macaluso. "My retirement made all this possible, not to mention personal discipline, organizational skills, linguistic expertise and educational experience. The project took me about seven months, 10-15 hours a day. I ended up being a man wearing many hats: author, editor, publisher, advertiser and financial supporter of the project."

The contents, which are copyrighted, are divided in six parts, and include not only practice of the four language skills, but also contemporary, current events and cultural themes, and a list of names and biographies of famous Italian and Italian-American personalities. The materials for AP Italian Language and Culture comprise: a Practical Guide, an Answer Key, and a CD.

"I find tremendous, professional satisfaction in knowing that, at the present, more than 20 school districts around the country are using my materials, which I wrote with a personal touch and with students and teachers in mind by providing also precious tips, which contain the essence of my pedagogical and educational preparation, and 30-year experience in the teaching of World and Classical Languages," said Dr. Macaluso.

'AP' is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse this product. For more information, email Dr. Mario Macaluso at DrMacPress@aol.com