Meet Liliana Rivalta of Speaking Spanish With Lili

Today we’d like to introduce you to Liliana Rivalta.

Hi Liliana, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Traveling and living in different countries gave me the opportunity to experience diverse cultures and ways of communicating.

Through these experiences, I discovered the true power of language: when we speak the same language, we connect not only through words, but through identity, understanding, respect, and kindness.
Language opens doors and allows us to see the world through a broader and more compassionate lens.

This realization inspired me to begin teaching children at a young age, helping them see language as an opportunity rather than a school requirement.

I started in my own community, bringing neighborhood children together through games, movement, and interactive learning. I later collaborated with teachers and homeschooling families who embraced this alternative approach to language learning.

My journey expanded when I worked at a Multiple Intelligences school in Illinois, where I was introduced to Howard Gardner’s educational framework. This experience transformed my perspective and inspired me to develop my first program, Spanish Through Multiple Intelligences, which integrates movement, music, science, mathematics, performance, and linguistic expression to support different learning styles.
I later designed and developed Spanish curricula for Montessori schools, including Oak Park Montessori, where I worked for five years implementing successful language programs.

Over time, I recognized a deeper need among adolescents. Working in both private and public schools, I saw that many students were not struggling because of their ability, but because of how they were being taught. I shifted my focus to coaching and tutoring high school students, helping them rebuild confidence, develop effective learning strategies, and rediscover their belief in themselves.

For more than 20 years, I have helped students transform their academic performance and self-confidence. Many arrive discouraged and overwhelmed, yet within weeks they regain confidence and begin to succeed. While improved grades matter, my true priority is helping students believe in their own potential.

I have witnessed extraordinary transformations: students who once feared language now study abroad, pursue international careers, and embrace global opportunities. One former student developed such a love for German that she later worked at the German-Austrian embassy.

Throughout my career, I have worked with students from diverse cultural backgrounds, including Asian, American, South Asian, and Latino families. Many heritage Spanish learners come to me seeking to reconnect with their language and cultural identity.

In addition to working with youth, I support adult learners in professional and personal settings, including healthcare professionals, educators, business leaders, and individuals in the public eye seeking to build confidence and authentic communication.

Earlier in my career, I served as a mental health interpreter, an experience that deepened my understanding of communication, psychology, and human connection. Today, I integrate these insights to help adult learners overcome fear, build confidence, and rediscover their ability to learn.

In my work, I often describe myself as both a guide and a detective. Whether I’m working with children, teenagers, or adults, my first goal is to understand how each person learns best. I draw from established research on language acquisition and learning styles and combine those insights with my own methodology to create meaningful, lasting results.

Language learning is not just about memorization — it is about connection, repetition, and retention. When students feel understood and supported, they gain confidence, and communication becomes natural rather than intimidating.

Helping others discover that they are capable of learning, connecting, and expressing themselves in another language continues to inspire my work every day.
Language is more than communication — it is connection, identity, and possibility.
Because when language becomes connection, confidence follows.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been a smooth road. One of my earliest challenges came when my family relocated internationally while my daughters were teenagers. Moving between countries meant adapting not only to new cultures, but also to new languages and educational systems.

When we moved from Switzerland to Illinois, my English was strong conversationally, but I knew I needed to refine my written and professional communication. As an educator, I wanted to meet — and exceed — the expectations I set for myself.

At that time, technology and language tools were limited, so I spent many late nights carefully crafting emails, lesson plans, and communications. My daughters often helped proofread my writing to ensure clarity and professionalism when communicating with parents and school staff.

This experience strengthened my empathy for language learners. Even while working as an educator, I was still learning, improving, and pushing beyond my comfort zone. It reinforced my belief that growth comes through perseverance and that language barriers can be overcome with determination and practice.

Another challenge has been advocating for alternative approaches to language learning in traditional educational environments. Innovative methods are not always immediately embraced, yet I remained committed to showing that students thrive when teaching aligns with how they learn best.

These experiences shaped both my resilience and my teaching philosophy. They taught me that confidence is built through effort, that progress requires patience, and that believing in oneself is essential.

Today, I encourage my students to embrace challenges rather than fear them, because overcoming obstacles is often where true transformation begins.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Speaking Spanish With Lili is a language coaching and educational program dedicated to helping students of all ages develop confidence, cultural understanding, and real-life communication skills in Spanish.

I work with children in dual immersion programs, high school and college students, heritage Spanish learners reconnecting with their language, and adult professionals seeking meaningful communication skills for personal and professional growth. I also support healthcare professionals, educators, and business leaders who need practical Spanish for real-world interactions.

What sets my work apart is a personalized, holistic approach to language learning. Drawing from multiple intelligences research, psychology, and language acquisition studies, I design learning experiences that align with how each individual learns best.

My sessions integrate movement, conversation, cultural context, and confidence-building strategies so students feel empowered rather than intimidated.
Beyond grammar and vocabulary, my focus is on connection and transformation. Students gain not only language skills but also self-confidence, cultural awareness, and the ability to communicate authentically.

For more than two decades, my work has been built primarily through word of mouth and community trust. Families, educators, and professionals continue to refer others because they see real results: improved academic performance, renewed confidence, and meaningful communication across cultures.

Language is more than learning words — it is building bridges, expanding opportunities, and empowering individuals to connect with the world.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I believe what many people call “luck” is often the result of preparation, perseverance, and being open to opportunity. Throughout my journey, I have experienced moments that felt fortunate — meeting inspiring educators, discovering innovative teaching methods, and working with students whose growth reaffirmed my purpose.

At the same time, challenges and transitions, including moving between countries and adapting to new cultures and languages, helped shape my resilience and deepen my empathy for learners. What may have appeared as obstacles often became meaningful turning points.

I consider myself fortunate to do work that aligns with my purpose: helping others connect, grow, and gain confidence through language. However, I also believe that commitment, patience, and passion create the conditions for opportunity to appear.

In my experience, when we remain dedicated to our mission and open to growth, what we call luck often becomes the natural result of perseverance and intention.

My long-term vision is to contribute to an educational approach that nurtures curiosity, resilience, and self-discovery. I believe true learning happens when people feel safe to make mistakes, explore their strengths, and develop the confidence to grow in a constantly changing world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://speakingspanishwithlili.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speaking_spanish_with_lili
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Speakspanishwithlili/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blanca-liliana-rivalta-1ba1b169/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@speakingspanishwithlili

Image Credits
Blanca Liliana Rivalta