Summer ESL Classes

At my ESL class, a major debate has erupted among the teaching staff concerning the merit of summer classes. On one hand, the opponents say that the warm weather prohibits class since we lack air-conditioning. Also, they contest that teaching ESL doesn't pay enough, they are tired, and deserve a break. The opponents (including me) contest that the students still lack the necessary English skills to handle daily life activity and we need to teach it to them. The students claim that they would attend summer classes if we offer them. Also, many of our students are from Mexico and think that this lack of air-conditioning claim is absurd because it is warmer in their homeland.

Does anyone have any theories regarding whether or not to have summer classes? How could I convince my fellow teachers to accept your advice?

[Tdol]

As an ESL teacher, the summer is one of the busiest times of all, as students want courses to enable them to do other things during the year. I don't know where you're living, but how hot is it? I have taught in Portugal without air-conditioning and lived.

Originally Posted by tdol

As an ESL teacher, the summer is one of the busiest times of all, as students want courses to enable them to do other things during the year. I don't know where you're living, but how hot is it? I have taught in Portugal without air-conditioning and lived.

I live in Illinois (USA) where temperatures sometimes get up to 90 degrees with some humidity. Personally, the heat doesn't bother me, but the rest of my teaching staff along with the babysitters are ready to quit over it. I have been considering another option to canceling classes. I may move my ESL class into an air-conditioned library to keep my co-teachers and babysitters happy. However, I was wondering how other programs dealt with the heat issue.