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Can You Trust What You Read Online?

A practical B1 Digital English lesson about checking information before you believe or share it.

B155–60 minutesDigital English & critical thinkingPrintable
Teacher lesson: Students practise English while learning simple ways to evaluate online information. The aim is not to tell students what to believe, but to help them ask useful questions, look for evidence and explain their reasoning.
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1 Lesson Goals
Students learning about AI and digital information

By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:

  • identify facts, opinions and claims
  • ask questions about an online source
  • use cautious language when information is uncertain
  • explain why I trust or question information
Start here: Where do you usually get information online? Name two places.
2 Reading
Before you read: If a post has thousands of likes, does that make it true? Why or why not?
Stop, Check, Then Share

Every day, people see news, advice, videos and AI-generated answers online. Much of this information is useful, but not everything is accurate. A professional-looking page can still contain mistakes, and a popular post can repeat a claim without giving evidence.

Before trusting information, ask a few questions. Who created it? When was it published or updated? Does the writer explain where the information came from? Can you find the same key facts in another reliable source? These questions are especially useful when a claim is surprising, emotional or important.

Facts can usually be checked with evidence. Opinions express what someone thinks or feels. A claim may be true or false, so it needs support. AI tools can also produce confident-sounding answers that contain errors. This does not mean online information or AI is always unreliable. It means careful readers pause, check and compare before they believe or share something.
3 Vocabulary
Key words: source · evidence · claim · reliable · accurate · verify

Match each word to its meaning.

1. source ___   2. evidence ___   3. claim ___

4. reliable ___   5. accurate ___   6. verify ___

  1. correct and free from mistakes
  2. information that supports an idea
  3. to check that something is true
  4. a person, page or place information comes from
  5. something stated as true but needing support
  6. able to be trusted or depended on
4 Check Your Understanding

1. Why can a professional-looking page still be a problem?

2. Write two questions you can ask about a source.

3. What is the difference between a fact and an opinion?

4. Why should a surprising claim be checked?

5. What problem can occur with AI-generated answers?

5 Language Focus

Cautious language: Good readers avoid saying something is definitely true before they have enough evidence.

may · might · seems · according to · probably

Rewrite each statement so it sounds appropriately cautious.

1. This story is false.

2. The photo proves the claim.

3. This website is correct.

4. The writer knows what happened.

6 Listen & Speak

Listen

Listen to your teacher describe an online post. Answer the questions.

1. What does the post claim?

2. What important information is missing?

3. What should the reader do next?

Speak

With a partner, discuss: What makes you trust a website? When should you check a second source? Should you share something if you are not sure it is true?

Can You Trust What You Read Online? — Continued
7 Use Your English

Something New: The 5-Question Check

Read this imaginary post: “Students who listen to music while studying remember 50% more. Scientists proved it last year. Share this with your friends!”

  1. Who created the post?
  2. Where is the evidence?
  3. Is a study named or linked?
  4. Can the claim be checked elsewhere?
  5. What words make the post sound convincing?

Write

Write 100–130 words giving advice to a friend about checking online information. Use at least three vocabulary words and two cautious expressions.

8 Puzzle or Game
Fact, Opinion or Claim?

Write F, O or C. Then explain one answer.

1. Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. ___

2. Summer is the best season. ___

3. This new app helps students learn twice as fast. ___

4. Water freezes at 0°C under standard conditions. ___

5. Online classes are more enjoyable than classroom lessons. ___

Challenge: What evidence would you need to check statement 3?

9 Success Criteria ✓

Tick each statement when you can do it.

☐ I can tell the difference between a fact, opinion and claim.

☐ I can ask useful questions about a source.

☐ I can use cautious language.

☐ I can explain why information needs checking.

Exit reflection: Write one question you will ask next time you see a surprising claim online.