classes and, ultimately, to preserve bilingualism. At the theoretical level, it builds on insights from: (a) Cummins’ (2001 et seq.) Framework for the Development of Academic Expertise (Cummins, Brown and Sayers, 2007), (b) Constructivist approaches to learning (Spantidakis 2010) and (c) Transformative pedagogy (Cummins 2001, Skourtou, Kazoullis & Cummins 2006), as well as on the results of a comparative analysis of the ambient language with the languages in question (i.e., Albanian-Greek and Russian-Greek).

Based on the assumption that games in language learning are associated with intrinsic motivation and meaningful exposure to the target language, the environment was set on the basis of a fictional storyline in which the Wizard of a village is captured by a Dragon. Users need to go through certain language tasks in order to earn credits (in the form of keys that open gates) that will eventually allow them to set the Wizard free and complete the game. During the learning process, the user gets constant motivation and a sense of competition by a specific game-module that awards badges for specific achievements (e.g., best author for the user with the highest score in essay writing). Fun graphics, sound effects, and an intro video aim to engage the user in the plot and provide a learning experience that is both fun and educational. Texts are associated with language tasks with different focus (language/grammar, meaning and language use) and three levels of difficulty, which aim at developing the users’ reading and writing skills and, in general, their linguistic competence.

A variety of scaffolding materials (synchronized audio texts, translations, glossaries) and quiz types (true/false, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blanks, fill-in-the-table, sorting, pairing, listening, essays, crosswords and non-gradable in-class or at home activities) are associated with each text. In-game assistance is provided by two cartoon-like characters: the Dragon, who provides navigation details and the Wizard’s Apprentice, who provides assistance in the language tasks. All these tools – together with real-time correction of all quizzes – allow the student to work on his/her language skills on his/her own.

The application also provides messaging between the student and the teacher, and an online magazine where students can post their activities. A separate application for teachers facilitates essay correction and commenting on the students’ language progress and achievements. New texts and quizzes can be added over time using the administrator application, which also provides an environment for user management. All data, including user information, learning material and user answers to quizzes, is stored in, and retrieved from an online database. An embedded updater automatically downloads the latest version of the application, ensuring all users are always up to date.

Awards: The 7 Keys of the Dragon was awarded the European Language Label 2013 excellence distinction (prize money: 1000€).

Revithiadou, Α., V. Kazoulli, A. Rondou-Gorou, Τ. Zouravleva, Ι. Spantidakis, Μ. Soukalopoulou, Κ. Konstantoudakis, Ch. Zarras, & Ν. Pelesoglou & Α. Nikolaidis. 2013. The 7 Keys of the Dragon. An e-learning environment for teaching Albanian and Russian as heritage languages. Project ‘Education of Immigrant and Repatriate Students’, Operational Program of Education and Lifelong Learning (NSRF 2007-2013). [To download it, click here.]

Revithiadou, Α. 2016. Πρόγραμμα εκπαίδευση αλλοδαπών και παλιννοστούντων μαθητών [Programme education of immigrant and repatriate students.] In Διγλωσσία και Διδασκαλία της Ελληνικής ως Δεύτερης Γλώσσας [Bilingualism and Teaching Greek as a Second Language], Skourtou, E. (ed.), 142–172. Κάλλιπος, Eλληνικά Ακαδημαϊκά Συγγράμματα και Βοηθήματα. [Ebook: www.kallipos.gr, ISBN 978-960-603-480-0]

Revithiadou, A., V. Kourtis–Kazoullis, M. Soukalopoulou, K. Konstantoudakis, C. Zarras. 2015. Developing CALL for heritage languages: The 7 Keys of the Dragon. The Eurocall Review 23 (2), 38–57. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/eurocall.2015.4667