I wonder if a way to make a language gradual is to keep it primitive, but easy to build the more advanced features by composing them from primitive features. I mean, that's ultimately how all interesting programming is done, but it could be introduced at a much earlier and more basic level so it's not fearsome.
As an aside, I think that these online courses are a valuable resource, but it still helps to provide some human supervision, to make sure that a student hasn't fallen into a rut and given up.
As an aside, I think that these online courses are a valuable resource, but it still helps to provide some human supervision, to make sure that a student hasn't fallen into a rut and given up.