B1+ · Lithuania
Modals
Conditionals
Six Hats
Vilnius University · 3-lesson mini-module · Inquiry-Based · AI-Enhanced · SDG 12 · SDG 16
🗣 Language
Modal verbs for hedging · First Conditional · Passive voice · Fact vs. opinion distinction · Conversational expressions
🌍 Eco
Greenwashing detection · Corporate environmental responsibility · Responsible consumption · Digital footprint · Circular economy
🤝 Skills
Reading · Listening · Speaking · Writing · Critical analysis · AI-enhanced hypothetical reasoning · Peer Q&A
🗳️ Stand-Up / Sit-Down — Fact, Opinion, or Greenwashing? (20 min)
Method: Direct instruction · BrainstormB1+: Distinguish fact, opinion, bias
Read each statement. Stand up if you think it is a FACT · Sit down if it is an OPINION · Raise your hand if it is a GREENWASHING CLAIM.
🗳️ STAND-UP / SIT-DOWN
Read the statement · Decide: FACT / OPINION / GREENWASHING CLAIM · Then click your answer!
💬 Post-Activity Discussion
🤔
"How easy was it to tell fact from opinion?"
B1+: "It might seem straightforward, but many greenwashing claims appear to be facts because they use specific numbers or scientific-sounding language." Key insight: even facts can be selectively chosen to mislead.
🎯
"What makes a greenwashing claim different from a lie?"
B1+: "A greenwashing claim may be technically true but could be deliberately misleading. If a company highlights one eco-friendly fact and hides ten harmful ones, that might be considered greenwashing even though the claim was not technically false."
👩🏫 Teacher
After the Stand-Up/Sit-Down, introduce today's brands list. Each student (or pair) picks ONE brand's environmental claim to investigate over the following week. Collect their choices and group them into 3 "claim clusters" for Lesson 2. Provide the Greenwashing Checklist tab as homework.
After the Stand-Up/Sit-Down, introduce today's brands list. Each student (or pair) picks ONE brand's environmental claim to investigate over the following week. Collect their choices and group them into 3 "claim clusters" for Lesson 2. Provide the Greenwashing Checklist tab as homework.
🔍 Greenwashing Checklist — Investigate Your Brand Claim (1 Week)
Method: Inquiry-based · AI-enhancedB1+: Evaluate evidence · Detect bias · Hedging language
Choose a brand's environmental claim (e.g. "100% sustainable" / "carbon neutral" / "eco-friendly packaging"). Use this checklist to investigate it. Rate each question: Verified / Misleading / Unclear.
🔍 GREENWASHING INVESTIGATION CHECKLIST
Investigate your brand claim — answer all 10 questions and take detailed notes!
0/10
Verified claims · the lower the score, the more likely it is greenwashing
🤖 AI Research Prompts — Verify the Claims!
💬 "Is [Brand X]'s claim of being 'carbon neutral' independently verified? Who certified it?"
💬 "What percentage of [Brand X]'s business is eco-friendly vs. their overall environmental impact?"
💬 "Has [Brand X] faced any greenwashing accusations or lawsuits? Summarise the evidence."
💬 "What does '100% recyclable packaging' actually mean in practice? Are consumers able to recycle it?"
💬 "Find independent studies or NGO reports about [Brand X]'s environmental record."
📝 Language for Investigating — B1+ Hedging & Evidence Language
Modal Hedging
This claim might be misleading…
The evidence could suggest…
The company may appear to be…
It seems that the claim is…
The evidence could suggest…
The company may appear to be…
It seems that the claim is…
Fact vs. Opinion
As a matter of fact, the data shows…
In my opinion, this is an example of…
The evidence strongly suggests…
It cannot be verified that…
In my opinion, this is an example of…
The evidence strongly suggests…
It cannot be verified that…
Passive for Distancing
Claims are made without evidence.
No independent certification was provided.
The packaging is described as 'green'…
Consumers are led to believe…
No independent certification was provided.
The packaging is described as 'green'…
Consumers are led to believe…
Conversational Markers
After all, the data contradicts…
As a matter of fact, they…
Come to think of it, if you…
That being said, the claim…
As a matter of fact, they…
Come to think of it, if you…
That being said, the claim…
🎤 3-Minute Blurb — Assess the Brand's Environmental Stance (Lesson 2)
Method: PBL · Video presentationB1+: Structured argument · Evidence · Hedging
Prepare and record a 3-minute video blurb assessing your brand's environmental claim. Cover all checklist items. Use the timer to practise! Upload the video to the school platform before Lesson 2.
🎤 BLURB TIMER & CHECKLIST
Practise your 3-minute assessment blurb · Tick each element when ready!
3:00
Blurb Timer
🏆 PEER VOTE — Most Compelling Greenwashing Exposé
Watch all blurbs — then vote!
Vote: Most convincing evidence · Most persuasive language · Most creative presentation
🎩 Six Thinking Hats — Watch Blurbs from Multiple Perspectives (Lesson 2)
Method: Six Thinking Hats (de Bono, 1985)B1+: Multiple perspectives · Critical analysis
Each student is assigned a thinking hat. Watch at least 3 peer blurbs (one from each cluster) using your hat's perspective. Prepare questions for the Q&A round. Click your hat to see your role and question prompts.
🎩 SIX THINKING HATS — Choose Your Hat!
Click your assigned hat · Read your role and question prompts · Watch the blurbs from YOUR perspective
Click a hat above to see your role and question prompts for the discussion rounds.
🔄 3 Discussion Rounds — 5–7 min each
🔴
Round 1 — Students with their hats on share views and questions with the presenters from Cluster A. Presenters respond and defend their findings. Timer: 5–7 min.
🟡
Round 2 — Same hats, new cluster. Share with Cluster B presenters. Compare: is the greenwashing pattern similar across different brands and sectors?
🟢
Round 3 — Share with Cluster C presenters. Final synthesis: which cluster's brands were most/least transparent? What patterns have we identified?
👩🏫 Teacher
Organise 3 rounds (5–7 min each). Hat-wearers rotate between clusters. Monitor for use of hedging language (might / could / appear to) and fact-vs-opinion distinctions. Optional: invite a Biology or Economics teacher to the White Hat or Red Hat role. Informal assessment: quality of questions, use of checklist evidence.
Organise 3 rounds (5–7 min each). Hat-wearers rotate between clusters. Monitor for use of hedging language (might / could / appear to) and fact-vs-opinion distinctions. Optional: invite a Biology or Economics teacher to the White Hat or Red Hat role. Informal assessment: quality of questions, use of checklist evidence.
🤖 "What If?" Hypothetical Reasoning — AI-Enhanced (Lesson 2)
Method: Inquiry-based · AI-enhanced hypothetical reasoningB1+: First Conditional · Speculation
Complete the "What if…?" statement about your brand's greenwashing. Build a prompt using the chips below, then use AI to explore alternate outcomes. Compare the AI's response with your own prediction!
🤖 "WHAT IF?" PROMPT BUILDER
Build a hypothetical scenario about greenwashing — then ask AI the same question and compare!
① What if the brand's greenwashing...
② ...and this continued for...
③ ...what would happen to...
Select options above to build your "What If?" scenario…
🤖 AI Prompts for "What If?" Reasoning
💬 "What if [Brand X]'s greenwashing were exposed by a major investigative journalist? Write three likely outcomes."
💬 "What if consumers stopped buying from brands with unverified eco-claims? How would markets change?"
💬 "What if greenwashing were made illegal worldwide? What are the pros and cons?"
💬 "What if governments required independent verification for all environmental claims? Model the effects."
📝 Language for "What If?" — B1+ Conditional & Speculative Language
First Conditional (Real)
If companies continue to greenwash, consumer trust will fall.
If regulators act, brands will have to change.
If regulators act, brands will have to change.
Second Conditional (Unreal)
If all brands were honest, consumers would make better choices.
If greenwashing were illegal, markets would be fairer.
If greenwashing were illegal, markets would be fairer.
Speculation
This might lead to… / could result in…
It is likely that… / unlikely that…
The most probable outcome would be…
It is likely that… / unlikely that…
The most probable outcome would be…
Conversational Markers
Come to think of it, if…
After all, the most likely scenario…
In other words, the long-term effect…
After all, the most likely scenario…
In other words, the long-term effect…
✍️ Write to the Brand — Social Media Comment / Post (Lesson 3)
Method: Inquiry-based · Authentic audienceB1+: Formal register · Evidence-based · Constructive
Individually or as a class, draft a post or comment to the brand's social media account. Be respectful but firm. Use evidence from your investigation. Build your comment using the chips below!
✍️ BRAND COMMENT BUILDER
Build your comment step by step · Select one chip per section · Then review and post!
① Opening (who you are & why you are writing)
② Evidence (what your investigation found)
③ Challenge or Question (what you want them to answer)
④ Closing (what you expect from the brand)
Select options above — your comment will appear here!
💬 Before You Post — B1+ Writing Checklist
✅ Is your tone respectful even though you are challenging their claim?
✅ Have you used hedging language? (appears to / might be / seems that)
✅ Have you cited specific evidence from your investigation?
✅ Have you asked a clear, specific question that requires a factual answer?
✅ Does your closing statement express a clear expectation from the brand?
💡 Reflection — What Did We Learn? (Lesson 3, 15 min)
Method: Critical reflection · Analytical thinkingB1+: Bias-free reasoning · Logical outcomes
In cluster groups, share what new things you learnt about greenwashing, responsible consumption, and digital footprint. What are the most logical, bias-free outcomes of widespread greenwashing? Click cards for model answers!
🔍
"What is the most surprising greenwashing technique you discovered?"
B1+: "I was surprised to learn that companies might use vague language like 'eco-friendly' without any legal obligation to prove it. In other words, a product could be labelled 'green' even if only 5% of its production process is sustainable. After all, without independent certification, the claim cannot be verified."
🤖
"How reliable was AI in verifying greenwashing claims?"
B1+: "AI appeared to provide useful summaries, but the information may not be fully up to date. That being said, using AI to generate initial research questions was valuable — if you ask me, AI is most useful when you then cross-check with independent sources like NGO reports."
⚖️
"What are the most logical, bias-free outcomes if greenwashing continues?"
B1+: "If greenwashing continues unchecked, consumer trust in environmental claims will erode significantly. This could paradoxically harm genuinely sustainable brands. Come to think of it, the most logical outcome would be stricter independent certification requirements backed by legal penalties."
🌍
"Did this activity change how you will shop or consume?"
B1+: "As a matter of fact, I now look for specific certifications (not just vague claims) before I buy. In other words, I have shifted from passive to active consumer. By the way, I also realise that my digital footprint — the data trail I leave searching and sharing — might itself influence what ads I see."
✏️ Homework & Follow-Up
📝Write a post or comment to your brand's social media page using the comment you built. Share the class observations about the products or services they advertise.
🔍Find ONE brand in your country that uses greenwashing AND one that is genuinely transparent. Compare them using at least 3 comparative or superlative sentences.
🌐Optional (Virtual Exchange): Share your blurb and findings with a partner class in another EcoLingua country. Are the same brands greenwashing in Turkey, Italy, and Spain?