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Classroom slides
Show these on a projector or TV. Use the arrow keys, or tap the right side of a slide to go forward and the left side to go back. Press ▶ to play the recording, F for full screen and P to play the slide's audio.
Everyday English · Lesson 13 · Basic · A2
Opening a bank account
Open an account, ask about fees and cards, and understand common banking words.
Welcome, !
Warm-up · talk with a partner
What do you use a bank for? Do you use a banking app?
Key phrase 1 of 8
I'd like to open an account, please.
Polite way to start.
Key phrase 2 of 8
What ID do I need?
Ask what documents to bring.
Key phrase 3 of 8
Are there any monthly fees?
Ask about account-keeping fees.
Key phrase 4 of 8
I'd like a debit card.
A card that uses your own money.
Key phrase 5 of 8
What's my BSB and account number?
You need these to get paid. The BSB is the branch number.
Key phrase 6 of 8
Can I set up online banking?
Use the bank's app or website.
Key phrase 7 of 8
I'd like to transfer money overseas.
Sending money to another country.
Key phrase 8 of 8
Is there a fee for that?
Always ask about fees.
Conversation
Bank officer and Fatima
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then we go line by line.
Conversation · line 1 of 8
Bank officer
Hi, how can I help you today?
Conversation · line 2 of 8
Bank officer: Hi, how can I help you today?
Fatima
Hi. I'd like to open an account, please. I've just moved to Australia.
Conversation · line 3 of 8
Fatima: Hi. I'd like to open an account, please. I've just moved to Australia.
Bank officer
No problem. Have you got your passport with you?
Conversation · line 4 of 8
Bank officer: No problem. Have you got your passport with you?
Fatima
Yes, here it is. Are there any monthly fees?
Conversation · line 5 of 8
Fatima: Yes, here it is. Are there any monthly fees?
Bank officer
This everyday account has no monthly fee. You'll get a debit card in the mail.
Conversation · line 6 of 8
Bank officer: This everyday account has no monthly fee. You'll get a debit card in the mail.
Fatima
Great. My employer needs my bank details.
Conversation · line 7 of 8
Fatima: Great. My employer needs my bank details.
Bank officer
Here's your BSB and account number. You can also see them in the app.
Conversation · line 8 of 8
Bank officer: Here's your BSB and account number. You can also see them in the app.
Fatima
Thank you so much.
Your turn · role-play
Work with a partner
Student A is Bank officer. Student B is Fatima. Read the conversation together, then swap. Then try it again with your own details.
Your turn · say it 1 of 3
I'd like to open an account, please.
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 2 of 3
Are there any monthly fees?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 3 of 3
What's my BSB and account number?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Quiz · question 1 of 5
What do you need to give your employer so you can get paid?
- A Your PIN
- B Your BSB and account number
- C Your passport number
✓ B: Your BSB and account number. Never share your PIN or passwords.
Quiz · question 2 of 5
What is a debit card?
- A A card that uses your own money
- B A loan card
- C An ID card
✓ A: A debit card takes money from your own account.
Quiz · question 3 of 5
Which question asks about fees?
- A Is there a fee for that?
- B What's the time?
- C Can I sit here?
✓ A: Always ask about fees for accounts and transfers.
Quiz · question 4 of 5
Complete: 'I'd ___ to open an account.'
- A like
- B want
- C liking
✓ A: 'I'd like to…' is polite and natural.
Quiz · question 5 of 5
A caller says they're from your bank and asks for your password. What should you do?
- A Give it to them
- B Hang up and call the bank on its official number
- C Send it by text
✓ B: Banks don't ask for your password. Hang up and call the official number.
Good to know in Australia 🇦🇺
Scammers often pretend to be from banks. Your bank will never ask for your password or PIN. If you're unsure, hang up and call the number on the back of your card.
Well done, !
Practise at home
The same lesson, free, no sign-up:
englishcoaching.au/
Free lessons at englishcoaching.au
· englishcoaching.au
Teacher notes
Level: Basic · A2 · Time: about 60 minutes · You need: this page on a screen with sound, and one printed worksheet per learner.
Warm-up (5 minutes)
Show the warm-up slide and ask: "What do you use a bank for? Do you use a banking app?" Learners talk in pairs for two minutes, then a few share with the class.
Three steps
- Key phrases (15 minutes). Show each phrase, press ▶ and let learners listen once, then repeat together, then one by one. Check meaning with the note on the slide: "When would you say this?"
- The conversation (15 minutes). Play the whole conversation once with worksheets face down. Then go line by line while learners fill the gaps in part B of the worksheet. Check answers, then learners read it in pairs.
- Your turn and the quiz (20 minutes). Learners say the "Your turn" sentences with their own details, do the role-play below, then answer the quiz slides in pairs before you press "Show answer". Finish with part D of the worksheet (their own sentences).
Pair work
Student A is Bank officer and student B is Fatima. Pairs read the conversation, swap roles, then turn the worksheet over and do it again from memory, changing the details (names, times, places, prices). Stronger pairs add two lines of their own; newer learners can keep the worksheet in front of them.
Using the audio
- Every phrase and conversation line is recorded with natural AI voices: Bank officer is read by Josh and Fatima by Mel. Press ▶ on a slide or press P.
- Play each phrase twice: once to listen, once for the class to repeat. On the conversation slides, pause after each line so learners can repeat it.
- Test the sound before class. If the internet is slow, open the slides a few minutes early and play the first phrase once.
Good to know in Australia
Scammers often pretend to be from banks. Your bank will never ask for your password or PIN. If you're unsure, hang up and call the number on the back of your card.
After class
- Learners can do the full lesson at home, free and with no sign-up: Opening a bank account. The last slide has a QR code to it.
- Running a course? Print certificates of participation when your group finishes a level.
Printable worksheet
One A4 worksheet per learner: the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, and space for their own sentences. The answer key prints on a separate page.
Name: Date:
Everyday English · Lesson 13: Opening a bank account
Open an account, ask about fees and cards, and understand common banking words.
A. Key phrases: fill the gaps
Word bank: account · banking · debit · monthly · need · there · transfer
- I'd like to open an , please. (Polite way to start)
- What ID do I ? (Ask what documents to bring)
- Are there any fees? (Ask about account-keeping fees)
- I'd like a card. (A card that uses your own money)
- What's my BSB and number? (You need these to get paid. The BSB is the branch number)
- Can I set up online ? (Use the bank's app or website)
- I'd like to money overseas. (Sending money to another country)
- Is a fee for that? (Always ask about fees)
B. Listen to the conversation and fill the gaps
- Bank officer: Hi, how can I help you ?
- Fatima: Hi. I'd like to open an account, . I've just moved to Australia.
- Bank officer: No problem. Have you got your with you?
- Fatima: Yes, it is. Are there any monthly fees?
- Bank officer: This account has no monthly fee. You'll get a debit card in the mail.
- Fatima: Great. My needs my bank details.
- Bank officer: Here's your BSB and account . You can also see them in the app.
- Fatima: Thank you so .
C. Quick quiz: circle the best answer
What do you need to give your employer so you can get paid?
a) Your PINb) Your BSB and account numberc) Your passport number
What is a debit card?
a) A card that uses your own moneyb) A loan cardc) An ID card
Which question asks about fees?
a) Is there a fee for that?b) What's the time?c) Can I sit here?
Complete: 'I'd ___ to open an account.'
a) likeb) wantc) liking
A caller says they're from your bank and asks for your password. What should you do?
a) Give it to themb) Hang up and call the bank on its official numberc) Send it by text
D. My sentences
Finish these with your own details. Then write two more sentences you can use this week.
- I'd like to open an account, please.
- Are there any monthly fees?
- What's my BSB and account number?
Free lesson with audio: englishcoaching.au/learn-english/everyday-english/opening-a-bank-account/ · Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Answer key · Lesson 13: Opening a bank account
A. Key phrases
- I'd like to open an account, please.
- What ID do I need?
- Are there any monthly fees?
- I'd like a debit card.
- What's my BSB and account number?
- Can I set up online banking?
- I'd like to transfer money overseas.
- Is there a fee for that?
B. Conversation gaps
- today
- please
- passport
- here
- everyday
- employer
- number
- much
C. Quiz
- b) Your BSB and account number
- a) A card that uses your own money
- a) Is there a fee for that?
- a) like
- b) Hang up and call the bank on its official number
englishcoaching.au/learn-english/everyday-english/opening-a-bank-account/
Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I teach opening a bank account to adult English learners?
Start with a warm-up question, present the 8 key phrases with the recorded audio, play the conversation line by line, let learners role-play it with their own details, and finish with the quiz. The teacher notes on this page give timings for a 60-minute class.
What level is this lesson?
Basic level, about CEFR A2. It is lesson 13 of 42 in our free Everyday English course, so you can follow the course week by week or pick the topics your learners need.
Do learners need an account?
No. Learners can do the same lesson at home for free, with no sign-up, at /learn-english/everyday-english/opening-a-bank-account/. Their progress is saved only on their own device.
Can I print the worksheet?
Yes. Press 'Print the worksheet' to print it or save it as a PDF on A4 paper. It has the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, space for learners' own sentences and an answer key on a separate page.
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