LINQ to SQL alternative C# Visual Studio 2017 MVC
I cannot think of a better alternative for LINQ to SQL, especially in Visual Studio 2017. You have said that you have spent 2 years already into MVC, which means, familiarity with MVC can be assumed. 

If so, I would say that don't give up on the LINQ + SQL + EF + MVC ( I will simply refer to this as the MVC combo ) combo yet. I am guessing that you have already looked at this link. I use that in my introductory sessions on MVC, and even newcomers ( I mean, people who have not even tried MVC, or any of the MVC combo components ) have found it easy to use. In my experience, 10 to 15 hours is all it takes to train folks on that (at least the basics). 

Give it a go, and yes, if you have questions about that link as you teach the different sections, come back and post questions here. We will take care of it for you.