In case Hoge’s courses are too advanced for your classmate, he may try out Pimsleur method in order to speak a modicum of English right off the bat.
English for Russian Speakers (ESL) - The Pimsleur Method
There’re only thirty first lessons of the method adapted specifically for Russians officially available on sale; but I bet my jar he may find more “unofficial lessons” based on Pimsleur approach after doing some googling like “Pimsleur English for Russian Speakers.”