Your next step
in English.
From your first conversation to university and professional communication. Individual lessons with a clear purpose and a pace that suits you.
“Every next step
starts with you.”
Your level. Your goals. Your next step.
English for your goals.
We start with your current level and the situations in which you want to use English.
General English · A1–C1
Beginners A1–A2: everyday vocabulary, introductions, travel and essential grammar. Suitable for first-time learners and those starting again.
Intermediate B1–B2: expressing opinions, longer conversations and more independent reading and writing.
Advanced C1: precise vocabulary, nuance, structured writing and clear presentation of ideas.
Lessons combine speaking, listening, reading and writing with grammar and pronunciation in context.
IELTS Academic and academic English
Preparation for Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking, including task familiarisation, timed practice and feedback using the assessment criteria.
Academic English also covers reading, note-taking, argument, presentations and seminar discussions. We discuss your starting level, deadline and required score. No particular score or university admission is guaranteed.
English for work · By enquiry
Business: emails, interviews, meetings and presentations.
Hospitality: welcoming guests, reservations, orders, menus and customer enquiries.
Legal: terminology, reading documents and discussing legal topics. Language tuition only; no legal advice.
More confidence
in the classroom.
Individual support matched to the learner’s age, school curriculum and needs.
Grades 1–4
Vocabulary, pronunciation, reading and writing through age-appropriate explanations and activities.
Grades 5–7
Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, conversation and support with gaps in understanding.
Grades 8–12
More complex grammar, written tasks, reading and speaking at the student’s level.
Homework guidance, revision and preparation for school tests. Students complete their own work with support and feedback. Arrangements for minors are agreed with a parent or guardian.
Hello,
I’m Blagodat.
I’m Blagodat Kondeva. My education in international relations, political science and law provides a foundation for working with language in academic and professional contexts.
My approach focuses on clear explanations, practical communication and feedback, so you understand what you are practising and why.
Education and qualifications
- Level 5 Diploma in TEFL · 420 hoursGatehouse Awards / i-to-i · 2025
Includes online and individual teaching, Business English and exam preparation modules. - Juris Doctor · JDUIC Law School · 2012
Originally awarded under The John Marshall Law School. - MA · Political ScienceRoosevelt University · 2007
- Bachelor of ArtsDominican University · International Relations and Diplomacy · 2004
Dean’s List
Distinguished Senior in Political Science Award · 2004 - Doctor in Law · LL.D.Alfred Nobel Open Business School Switzerland (ANOBS) · 2024
Studies undertaken in English. - Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) in LawUniversité de la Renaissance d’Haïti (URH-ISAG) · 2024
Option: International Business Law.
My law studies were undertaken in English, further developing my academic English, specialist vocabulary and work with complex texts.
A clear direction from the start.
Tell me your goal.
Share why you want to learn, your preferred times and whether you would like online or in-person lessons.
Find the right starting point.
We discuss your level, learning priorities, lesson length, frequency and fees before booking.
Build steady progress.
Practise your chosen skills, review progress and follow guidance for independent work between lessons.
Before your first lesson
Can I start as a complete beginner?
Yes. General English begins at A1. Returning learners can revisit the foundations and agree a suitable pace.
Where are lessons held?
Online, or in person in Blagoevgrad and Smochevo by arrangement. The exact location and available times are agreed when you enquire.
What are the fees and lesson lengths?
General English and school support for grades 5–12: €15/60 minutes. Grades 1–4: €12/45 minutes. IELTS Academic, academic and professional English: €20/60 minutes. These are individual lesson prices, with the same rates online and at the agreed teaching location. Availability is agreed before booking.
Is the IELTS exam included?
No. This is independent IELTS Academic preparation. Exam registration, fees and official results are handled separately by the exam provider. Next Step English is not an official test centre and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the IELTS organisers.
What do I need for an online lesson?
A reliable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone, and a quiet place. We agree the platform and materials before the lesson.
Which English test should you choose?
Check your university, employer or receiving authority’s requirements first: the exact test, version, delivery format, minimum scores and deadline.
TOEFL iBT
An academic English test accepted by participating universities. From 21 January 2026, it has updated tasks, adaptive Reading and Listening and a 1–6 score scale. ETS information ↗
IELTS
Academic is used for higher education and certain professional registrations. General Training serves other purposes, including certain migration routes and study below degree level. Check the exact version required. IELTS test types ↗
Duolingo English Test
A remotely delivered test with a process of about an hour. Check acceptance by the specific programme; university acceptance does not automatically establish visa acceptance. Official information ↗
TOEIC
Focuses on workplace communication. Listening and Reading is separate from the Speaking and Writing tests. Check which components the employer requires. ETS information ↗
PTE
PTE Academic and PTE Core serve different purposes. Academic is used for university and other accepted applications; Core serves certain Canadian immigration and citizenship routes. Always check the required version. Pearson comparison ↗
Checked 3 November 2026. This guide does not mean that lessons are offered for every test listed. Exam preparation at Next Step English focuses on IELTS Academic. Requirements and formats can change.
Clear prices. Your next step.
€15 / 60 minutes
General English A1–C1 and school support for grades 5–12.
€12 / 45 minutes
Age-appropriate individual English support for grades 1–4.
€20 / 60 minutes
IELTS Academic, academic English, Business, Hospitality and Legal English.
Prices are per learner for an individual lesson. The same rates apply online and in person at the agreed teaching location in Blagoevgrad or Smochevo. Visits to a learner’s address, including any travel charge, are agreed separately in advance. External exam fees and separately purchased textbooks are not included.
Enquire about availability ↗Let’s start
with your goal.
Tell me the course you are interested in and your preferred times.
Blagoevgrad · Smochevo · Online
Lessons by arrangement.
Choose your preferred platform when enquiring. Your lesson link is sent after the time is agreed.
Information and terms
About this website
Next Step English is the name of Blagodat Kondeva’s individual tuition project. Contact: nextstepenglish.bg@gmail.com · 0875 335 833. The name does not itself establish a registered company or an accredited educational centre.
Enquiries and enrolment
This website supports enquiries, not online orders or payments. Enquiring creates no payment obligation. Provider details, total fees, lesson length, scheduling, payment arrangements and cancellation terms are supplied before paid lessons are agreed.
Payment, rescheduling and cancellation
- Pay per lesson, with no compulsory monthly package. Online lessons are paid in advance by bank transfer; in-person lessons are paid in advance or at the lesson. Payment details are provided when arranging the booking.
- Cancel or reschedule free of charge with at least 24 hours’ notice. With less notice, the lesson fee is due; an exception may be agreed for illness or an emergency.
- If the teacher cancels, you may choose a new time or a refund of the amount paid.
- If the learner is late, the lesson ends at the agreed time. If the teacher is late, the time is made up by extending the lesson or rescheduling the remaining time by agreement.
- Exercises supplied by the teacher are included. Additional textbooks are purchased only by prior agreement.
- For learners under 18, enrolment and payment are arranged with a parent or guardian.
These arrangements are confirmed before enrolment and do not limit applicable statutory consumer rights, including withdrawal rights where applicable.
Consumer rights
Where distance-contract withdrawal rights apply, the usual period for services is 14 days from conclusion of the contract. Starting during that period requires an express request. Withdrawal after requested commencement may entail a proportionate charge for services provided. The first lesson does not automatically remove withdrawal rights; loss upon full performance depends on the statutory conditions and prior express acknowledgement. Specific withdrawal information is supplied before contracting. Questions and complaints can be sent to the contact email. These statements do not restrict statutory rights.
Educational scope
Lessons provide supplementary language tuition. No particular grade, exam score, admission or state-recognised qualification is promised. IELTS preparation is independent of official exam providers. Legal English is language tuition, not legal advice.
Personal data
Contact for enquiry data processing: Blagodat Kondeva, nextstepenglish.bg@gmail.com. Names, contact details and voluntarily supplied information are used to respond and take steps towards possible tuition arrangements. Contract data may also be processed for performance and legal obligations. Do not send identity numbers, identification documents or sensitive information in an enquiry.
Correspondence is retained as needed for the enquiry or tuition, taking account of applicable legal duties and potential legal claims. Applicable rights include access, rectification, erasure, restriction, objection and portability, and a complaint to the Bulgarian Commission for Personal Data Protection. Consent may be withdrawn where processing relies on consent.
Technology and external services
Use the BG / EN links to choose a language; the preference is not stored in your browser. No advertising or analytics scripts have been added. Hosting providers may process technical access data under their policies. Email, Viber, Zoom and Google Meet are external services with their own privacy terms; some providers may process data outside the EEA. Platforms are agreed beforehand. Lessons are not recorded by default.
Learners under 18
Enrolment and arrangements are made with a parent or guardian. Student images, testimonials and recordings are not published without the necessary permission. Avoid unnecessary child data in the initial enquiry.