The person behind SpeakShine
I am Ritu Vanhille — an educator, French language specialist, mentor and lifelong learner with more than 25 years of experience in education.
My professional journey has taken me through leading international and national educational institutions and a wide range of curricula and learners.
But qualifications tell only part of my story. My teaching methodology has not come only from books or training programmes. It has grown through years of listening, observing, experimenting, reflecting and learning from students themselves.
Every learner is different. Some need structure. Some need encouragement. Some need to be challenged. Some need to stop being afraid of making mistakes. Some know much more than they think they do. And sometimes the lesson I planned is not the lesson the student needs.
That understanding has shaped me as an educator. I believe teaching is a creative and deeply human process. I want students to develop not only academic knowledge, but confidence, curiosity, communication skills, independence and a genuine interest in continuing to learn.
My greatest teachers were my students.
Study, training and continued learning
Twenty-five years in the classroom
International and national institutions, across IB, IGCSE, ICSE, CBSE and Alliance Française programmes.
Neev Academy, Bangalore
French for IBDP, MYP, ICSE and CBSE students, Grades 6–12.
Kodaikanal International School
Five years teaching PYP, MYP and IBDP students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
Woodstock School, Mussoorie
IGCSE French.
Lawrence School, Lovedale
CBSE French.
SelaQui World School, Dehradun
IBDP Ab Initio and ICSE.
Alliance Française, Chandigarh
Levels 1–3 and DELF A1 and A2 preparation.
Institute of European Languages, Ludhiana
Vice President and French Teacher — teaching, administration and coordination.
From language teaching to life skills
My work gradually moved beyond language teaching. Through decades of interaction with children, teenagers, adults, parents, teachers, professionals and people from different cultures, I became increasingly aware of something important:
Knowledge alone does not always create confidence.
A person may know the language but be afraid to speak. A talented student may lack belief in themselves. A professional may have the qualifications but struggle in an interview. A parent may love their child deeply but find communication difficult. A person may spend years caring for everyone else and forget their own dreams and interests.
These experiences led me naturally towards personality development, communication, relationships, interview preparation and positive living. SpeakShine grew from this journey.
Understanding People Beyond Words
Over more than 25 years in education, I have had the privilege of working with students, teachers, parents and colleagues from a wide range of countries, cultures and backgrounds.
My experience spans Indian schools as well as international and American-school environments, where I worked alongside people from different parts of the world. These experiences exposed me to different perspectives, communication styles, traditions, personalities and ways of learning.
Being Indian is an important part of who I am, and my personal journey also brought me close to French culture through my marriage to a French national. But my understanding of cultures goes far beyond these two cultures. It has grown through years of living, teaching and interacting in genuinely multicultural environments.
I have learned that communication is about much more than language. It is about listening, understanding, respecting differences, adapting, building connections and being willing to see the world from another person's perspective.
This is one of the qualities I bring to SpeakShine.
Whether I am teaching a language, preparing someone for an interview, developing communication skills, building confidence or training teachers, I believe that understanding the person is just as important as teaching the skill.
At SpeakShine, we don't simply teach people what to say. We help them find the confidence to express themselves, connect with others and shine in their own way.
Strength, health and confidence
Certified Fitness & Nutrition Coach at SpeakShine Academy
Alex Vanhille is a Certified Fitness and Nutrition Coach with a genuine passion for helping people become stronger, healthier and more confident.
His experience covers strength and conditioning, mobility, functional training and performance training. He has worked with athletes, recreational athletes and regular clients through personal and group training, both online and offline, and provides personalised nutrition guidance for healthy individuals.
Alex believes fitness is not simply about how you look. It is about becoming stronger, moving better, developing healthy habits and building a lifestyle you can maintain. His approach is practical, personalised and encouraging.
Alongside coaching, Alex brings experience in staff training and evaluation, customer service, recruitment, leadership, meetings and events, entrepreneurship, marketing and team development. This gives him a practical and well-rounded approach to coaching and personal development.
Build your strength. Improve your health. Develop your confidence.
Lasting change comes from understanding your body, developing good habits and finding an approach that fits your individual life.
Alex's goal is not simply to give people a workout or a diet. It is to help them understand how to become stronger, healthier and more confident — and how to make those changes sustainable.
Explore Alex's programmesReady to speak, grow and shine?
Live online programmes in small batches, open to learners worldwide. Register your interest and we will keep you informed as groups are formed.