STEPPE WITH CONFIDENCE
Hit the ground running and steppe into your destination with confidence!
STEPPE WITH CONFIDENCE
Hit the ground running and steppe into your destination with confidence!
PERHAPS THIS IS YOU...
Youâve spent months or even years studying Russian: memorising grammar rules, translating dense texts, and preparing for assessments.Â
But now your year abroad is approaching and, deep down, you know you are not ready.
Most likely, you are neither confident speaking everyday Russian, nor are you sure how to handle everyday interactions in the Post-Soviet space.Â
Despite all the work you have put in, Russian still feels like something you "should" be better at by now.
You are not alone.Â
Most students heading abroad feel underprepared, not just linguistically, but culturally and mentally too.
Steppe with Confidence is designed to change that...
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Almaty, Kazakhstan: Esentai River.
Photo taken by Matthew Hale
WHY THIS MATTERS
Your year abroad isn't a holiday, it's living...
...and living independently in a very different cultural and linguistic environment. Often, this experience shapes how you relate to Russian for years to come.
Some students enjoy learning everything on the fly, and are unphased by the consequences of making serious linguistic or cultural errors, even when the stakes can get quite high.
However, most students are not wired like this; most of us do not thrive in a constant state of fight or flight, and staying in this state can literally disable the more logical sides of our brains. And this actually does happen to many students who arrive underprepared...
Without a solid foundation, students often spend months just finding their feet.Â
Thatâs not a failure.
In fact, itâs very common!
However... it can delay or even prevent the real progress in your Russian happens only after you know you have your basic functional language skills met.Â
In fact, in many cases, many less prepared students:
have been financially scammed or robbed (appartments, taxis, in the market and other places),Â
said the wrong things to the wrong people
some have felt so alien that they leave early with little improvement in their Russian
leading to an understandably negative attitude towards their own Russian.Â
And with ever-changing laws about what is and isn't allowed to be done or said in these countries, there is an increasing risk of being arrested or detained without the right cultural (and linguistic) grounding.
Underprepared students who chose to stay often report getting into the following vicious cycle, which could have been easily prevented if they had already spoken Russian on a functional level before they got there:
However, I know that most of us do better when we arrive with a strong foundation that can be built on.Â
From this, we can focus on connecting with people, exploring the region, and making the most of the opportunities around us as soon as we arrive.
When you arrive with linguistic confidence and cultural awareness, you're more likely to speak up, try things out, and say yes â not because youâre perfect, but because you feel grounded enough to engage and stable enough to explore.
That early momentum matters. It means conversations happen more naturally, practice becomes part of daily life, motivation stays high, and confidence builds steadily over time.
THE SOLUTION
Steppe with Confidence is designed to have you hit the ground running, rather than play catch up
The programme is designed around three core goals:
Build practical Russian you can actually use
Understand the cultural context youâre stepping into
Develop a mindset that supports progress, not perfection
By the end of the programme, youâll have a functional base you can rely on, a realistic plan for continuing to improve, and the confidence to participate, connect, and grow.
Steppe with Confidence doesnât promise fluency. It gives you something more realistic and equally valuable: readiness - and the momentum to make the most of a once-in-a-lifetime year abroad.
Youâll be able to handle everyday tasks confidently from week one.
Youâll know whatâs normal, whatâs risky, and whatâs just unfamiliar.
Youâll arrive with knowledge, strategies, and skills already in place.
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Almaty, Kazakhstan: Residential Area.
Photo taken by Matthew Hale
IS THIS PROGRAMME FOR YOU?
Youâll likely find this a good fit if:
You want a clear, realistic plan for improving your speaking and listening outside university classes.
Youâre heading to the Post-Soviet space* and want to make the most of your year abroad, not just get it over and done with.
Youâve studied Russian for a while, but using it in real conversations still feel challenging.
Culturally, you don't know what to expectÂ
You care about integrating locally and building genuine connections, not staying in an English-speaking bubble.
Youâre willing to show up consistently, even when things feel imperfect.
*The course largely draws on Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan as case studies, but those travelling to other destinations will still hugely benefit from what's on offer
You do not need to be fluent at this stage, feel confident all the time, or have everything figured out before you start.
However, you do need:
a basic foundation in Russian (solid A1 or low A2, more below)
the willingness to practise regularly
openness to guidance, feedback, and trying things out.
If you recognise yourself here, Steppe with Confidence was designed with you in mind.
This programme is not for:
complete beginners (A0)
heritage speakers (unless they also struggle with speaking and/or lack confidence)
those who want a short crash course
those who want to just âget fluentâ (i.e. high C1 or C2) before they go abroad.
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Turkestan, Kazakhstan: Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi.
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WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE COURSE?
Over 5 months, you'll receive a mixture of and live and video tuition with a total commitment of around 4 hours per week (including self-study).
This is broken down into the following:
Weekly video lessons - Each week, you watch a 20-50 minute video covering cultural context and language input for situations youâre very likely to encounter.
Targeted homework that builds real fluency - Instead of endless worksheets from the Terence Wade workbook, you will complete short, focused tasks to develop your comprehension and fluency.
Weekly live small-group speaking sessions - Weekly 90-minute online sessions in a small group of no more than six students.
Module recap sessions with a native speaker - At the end of each module, you join a recap session led by a native speaker to revisit key language and test your understanding in real interaction.
Q&A sessions with locals and former students - Throughout the programme, you have access to Q&A sessions with Central Asian locals and former year-abroad students, offering insight into daily life, expectations, and common challenges, and most importantly, their own advice!
Individual guidance for your transition abroad - Towards the end of the programme, you have a one-to-one check-in focused on your next steps: how youâll integrate, practise, and stay motivated once you arrive. This will keep you on track and give you that extra push and motivation for your time abroad.
A supportive student and alumni community - You become part of an online community of current and former Steppe with Confidence students to broaden your network, support each other and future students.
Download the course brochure through the Jotform below for more details about each module đ
â Steppe with Confidence has significantly increased my confidence to go on my semester abroad in Kyrgyzstan.Â
The topics follow real life situations like border control and getting a SIM card, so that youâre not left wondering what to do in a situation which ordinary language classes donât prepare you for!
I found the homework particularly useful as it helps you practice for these scenarios until you feel prepared. The videos and lessons are very informative and not only prepares you linguistically, but it also prepares you for the cultural side too!Â
Matt is a very patient, friendly and supportive tutor and his lessons are always engaging and relevant!
Li T., Russian & Scandinavian Studies Student
HOW IT WORKS
DATES & COHORTS
*Course allocation is provided on a first come (and confirmed) first serve basis.
WEEKLY TIME COMMITMENT
On average you will spend around 4 hours per week, including:
A Weekly video lesson
A 20- to 50-minute video with course content and short activities. Expect 1 to 2 hours in total to watch, pause, take notes and complete the tasks.
Homework
Short, targeted tasks (around 30 minutes) that build skills in comprehension and fluency.
A live small-group session
Weekly 90-minute lesson in a group of up to 6, with up to an extra 30 minutes at the end if you have questions or concerns in every session.
Aside from your regular weekly routine, you will also have:
Monthly Module recaps with a native speaker
5 lots of two-hour sessions across the programme, to revisit each module once it finishes, test your skills, and boost your confidence in communicating with native speakers.
Monthly Q+A sessions
Monthly one-hour live sessions with Central Asian locals, former students and other relevant guests, recorded so you can watch back later.
Across a month, this works out at roughly 18 hours, which includes self study. If you think about it, it only works out to an average of around half an hour a day!
ONBOARDING ITINERARY
Free call with Matt
This is a free initial call with Matt (in English, but we can switch to Russian if you'd like đ)
We will discuss where you're at with your studies and your year abroad plans
We will work out where your current strengths and weaknesses are in your Russian
We will talk through what you want to get out of your time abroad
We will also discuss whether the course is your next step, but there is no pressure to decide there and then on call; I'll give you time and space to decide, should you need it
You can book this call (for free) through the "Apply now" page on the website, or through the "Apply Now" button at the bottom of this page
Confirm your place.Â
If you decide the programme is right for you, youâll send me a confirmation message or email.
Contract & deposit. Iâll then send you:
A contract to sign (so weâre both clear on expectations and protected), and
A link to pay your deposit and secure your place on the course.
3. Choose your payment option. At this stage, youâll choose one of the following:
Pay in full: ÂŁ1099Â
OR
10-month payment plan: ÂŁ109.90 per month via direct debit
4. Payment plan details (if applicable)
The first payment of ÂŁ109.90 is required before the course starts. This acts as your deposit and secures your place.
A monthly direct debit of ÂŁ109.90 will then run for 10 months after the initial payment.
Iâm happy to help you set this up if you get stuck.
5. External funding / Bursaries (if relevant)
If youâre receiving full or partial funding from an external source (e.g. your university or another third party), please let me know before signing the contract so everything can be arranged correctly and youâre not overbilled.
6. Get started on the intro module
You will be given access to the learning platform
There will be an additional folder of grammar topics I assume youâve already covered at university - use these as revision and printouts to turn into posters
7. Confirm your weekly lesson availability
Timeslot options for your weekly live sessions will be released to you once youâve been accepted on the course
ARE YOU READY?
If Steppe with Confidence sounds like the support you have been looking for, the next step is to fill in a short application form so we can check that this programme is the right fit for you.
Once you submit the form, I will read your answers and invite you to that free 30-minute call.Â
Most applicants are nervous before this call. Remember, the call is not a Russian test!Â
The discussion is exactly for those who are unsure as to whether they should take the course or not; itâs a conversation between you and me to see if itâs your right call.
There is no pressure to decide on the spot, and you can ask questions you might have pertaining to the course and more generic year abroad advice.