ESL Banking Conversations

When traveling or living in an English speaking country you might need to have ESL banking conversations when you go to a bank. This page has a couple of example conversations.

The conversations have also been made into short cartoons for you to watch if you would prefer that. As well as being included below they are part of the Excellent ESL 4U YouTube video stream, where there are many more videos to help you learn English conversions.

If you need help understanding some of the words or phrases from the conversations you can go to the banking vocabulary page.

Conversation 1

Situation: Lucy and Bob are shopping when Lucy wants to go to the bank.

Lucy: I need to quickly go to the bank.
Bob: Ok. Which one?
Lucy: The National Bank. Its branch is just over there on the corner.
Bob: We should go now as it will close in 10 minutes.
Lucy: Yes, let’s hurry.

Teller: Next please?
Lucy: Good afternoon, I’d like to pay this cheque into my account.
Teller: Good afternoon. Can I please have your account details?
Lucy: Yes, here is my ATM card. It has the account number.
Teller: Thank you. This will just take a moment.
Lucy: Ok.
Teller: Here is your card. The money should be in your account in three working days. Is there anything else I can help you with?
Lucy: No thanks. That’s all. Goodbye.

Conversation 2

Situation: A new overseas student opens a bank account.

Tui: Hi Andrew. I need to open a bank account. Can you give me some advice please?
Andrew: Sure, I would be happy to help. You’ll need to go to the local branch of the bank and speak to the bank manager.
Tui: Which is a good bank to choose? I want a bank that will be convenient for me to use when I go traveling. 
Andrew: I think the best bank for you would be the Central Bank. It is very big and has branches nearly everywhere. The closest branch is opposite the post office on Hilltop road.

Bank employee: Good morning, can I help you?
Tui: Good morning. I’d like to open a bank account with you.
Bank employee: Certainly. Please follow me and I’ll take you to the bank manager.

Bank manager: Good morning.
Tui: Good morning. Can I please open a bank account with the Central Bank?
Bank manager: Of course. Please fill in these forms and show me some identification, your passport or driver’s license.
Tui: Here’s my passport. Can I pay some money into my new account today?
Bank manager: Yes, when the account is opened you can deposit money straight away. It will just take five minutes for me to process the information.
Tui: Great, thanks.
Bank manager: There you are, everything is set-up. Please go to one of the tellers at the front of the bank to deposit your money.
Tui: Thanks I will.

ESL Banking Conversations - Exercises

Below are some exercises to help you learn about ESL banking conversations. These exercise will help you learn how to respond well in a conversation about banking and then let you practice having a conversation about banking.

Exercise 1 - Fill in the blanks

Fill-in the blanks in the following ESL banking conversation using the options provided in the 5 question below.

Situation: Andrew wants to withdraw some money from his account.

Andrew: I need to get some money before going to eat lunch.
Bob: Ok. __________ (1) __________
Andrew: Central Bank. They have a branch just round the corner. __________ (2) __________
Bob: Is the Central Bank good? My bank keeps charging me bank fees so I want a new account.
Andrew: Yes. I have had my account with them for five years and there have been no problems.
Bob: Good, I might try opening an account with them. What’s wrong? __________ (3) __________
Andrew: I’ve put my ATM card in but the machine keeps on displaying that my PIN is wrong when I enter it.
Bob: Oh dear. You should go into the bank and ask for help.

Teller: Good morning. How can I help?
Andrew: I have been trying to withdraw money from the ATM outside but it won’t accept my PIN.
Teller: I’m terribly sorry, but the machine is broken. The sign must have fallen off. __________ (4) __________
Andrew: I’d like fifty pounds please.
Teller: Ok. __________ (5) __________
Andrew: Here’s my ATM card and driver’s license.
Teller: Thank you, here is your money. Sorry for the inconvenience.

ESL Banking Conversation

Choose the best option (A-D) in the following five questions to fill in the blanks in the banking conversation given above.

1) Which option is the best to fill in the first blank?

    A) That bank do you need to go to?
    B) How often do you do go?
    C) Which bank do you need to go to?
    D) Would you like to take the bus?

2) Which option is the best to fill in the second blank?

    A) I cannot use the ATM.
    B) I can use the ATM so it will not take long.
    C) You can deposit money at the ATM.
    D) The bank will be closed during the day.

3) Which option is the best to fill in the third blank?

    A) Is the cash machine not working?
    B) Do you not want to get money?
    C) Nothing, I have the money.
    D) Do you know how to use the ATM?

4) Which option is the best to fill in the fourth blank?

    A) You will have to come back tomorrow.
    B) You can deposit the money with me.
    C) Would you like to see the bank manager?
    D) How much money would you like to withdraw?

5) Which option is the best to fill in the fifth blank?

    A) Can I have your credit card?
    B) Can I have your bank account details and some identification?
    C) Here is your money.
    D) I’m sorry the bank does not keep that much money.

Score =

Correct answers:

Exercise 2 - Write a conversation

Now write your own ESL banking conversation about visiting a bank. Use the conversations above and the vocabulary given to help you.

Exercise 3 - Conversation topics

Use the following questions and statements about banking to have ESL banking conversations with people. One person uses the questions from set A and the other uses questions from set B. Then take turns asking questions and give as long a response as you can. Feel free to discuss the topic in general: you do not need to follow these questions as they are just some prompts to get you started.

You can also download the questions on conversation cards by clicking the following picture.

For more conversation cards you can download my ‘80 ESL Conversation Cards’ ebook.

Question set A

• Do you know anyone who works in a bank?
  
• Would you like to work in a bank?
  
• Do you think it is good that you can borrow money from a bank?
  
• For what would you borrow money from a bank?
  
• What problems can happen with banks?

Question set B

• Do you have a bank account?
• How do banks help a country’s economy?
• Have you ever seen a bank robbery?
• What happens when you cannot pay back money that you have borrowed from a bank?
• Do you think banks look after their customers enough?

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