At a Bank

 Lesson Plan

Most people, at one time or another, have dealings with banks. Individuals may have savings or checking accounts, need loans for the purchase of autos or homes, or seek advice and assistance with investment options. Companies and entrepreneurs need banking services to conduct their businesses. Tourist may need banks to cash travelers checks or get cash against credit cards. Below are some common expressions heard at a bank.

English Expressions

Expression                                                          Response
I want to (… cash a check)?                                  Certainly, do you have an ID.

I would like to (… make a deposit into my              Please complete this deposit slip.
  checking account).

I need to withdrawal $500 from my savings          Of course. Do you have your  account.                                                              passbook?

I would like to apply for                                        Please see the woman at the
  (… a bank huarantee card).                             accounts desk over there.             

Who would I talk to ( … about a car loan)?        You will have to see Mr. Ellison in the                                                                            loan department.

Banking Vocabulary

Automatic deposit- A bank service that allows employers to deposit employees wages    directly into the employees bank accounts.
Saving account- Money put in the bank for long term saving
Checking account- Money put in the bank to be taken out periodically for purchases    or bills
Loans- Money given to you by the bank which you pay back over time 
Collateral- Something of value as a guarantee for a loan
Interest- Charges for using the banks money or money given to depositors for the use    of their money by the bank
Check- An instrument issued by banks to its customers that allow them to make    purchases instead of using cash.
Mortgage- A loan for a house
Deposit- Put money into the bank account
Withdrawal- Money taken out of the bank account
Teller- A bank clerk     
Deposit/withdrawal slips- Forms that are filled out when depositing or withdrawing    money
Bank guarantee card- A bank card that assures payees that a check is good     
Monthly statement- A financial listing of your banking activities (money deposited    and withdrawn and interest charged or accrued)
Open an account- To start a bank account
Close an account- To end an account                
Travelers check- A prepaid check used by tourists issued by a bank that can be    cashed in banks or businesses world wide.

Not all countries use checks. However, checks are a common method that Americans
use to purchase things and pay bills, instead of using cash or a credit or debit card. Below
is a typical check used by millions of American consumers. Usually a store will also require
that the customer to have a picture ID card (such as a driver’s license or passport) and a
bank guarantee card before they will accept the check.

English Dialogue

 Students should work together in pairs and read the following dialogue, one student reading one part, the other student reading the other. Note the expressions used in the dialogue and the progression of the conversation. The dialogue can be used as a model to have similar conversations.

Teller: Next please. How may I help you?
Customer: Yes, I’d like to make a withdrawal from my saving account and cash a    check.
Teller: Certainly sir. Please complete this withdrawal slip, with your name, account    number and amount of withdrawal.
Customer: There you go.
Teller: Thank you. How would you like that?
Customer: Could I have two hundreds, two fifties, and the rest in twenties.
Teller: Here you are. I need you to endorse the back of the check you want to cash    and I’ll need to see an ID.
Customer: No problem.
Teller: Here you are. Will that be all today?
Customer: Yes, that will do it. Thanks.
Teller: Thank you. Have a pleasant day.

After reading, close your book and tell your partner a summary of the dialogue. Then switch and have your partner tell his or her summary. Start like this: This dialogue is about a person at a bank that wants…This may seem silly, since you both already know what the dialogue is about, but the purpose is to practice using your English, not to give information or test your reading skills.

Conversation Activities

1.  Pair Work- discussion
Do you have an account at a bank? Tell your partner about it using some of the ideas for discussion below.
Your partner should ask questions to get more information.
what is the name of the bank
how often do you go
what kind of account do you have
what do you like or dislike about dealing with the bank
do you have any problems with banks (other than not enough money)
do you do a lot of transactions at the ATM
have you ever taken out a loan from the bank- what for

2. Pair work- role play
     Working with a partner, role play the situation, using the information below

The roles: A bank teller, a customer

The situations: At a bank making the transactions below 

A. Deposit money into a savings account

Teller should fill in the deposit slip
Customer should supply the following information:

• name    • account number    • amount to deposit

B. Cash a personal check

Teller should ask for an ID card and a bank guarantee card
Customer should tell the clerk how he wants the money
   (in $5’s, $10’s, $20’s etc.).   

 C. Withdraw money from a savings account            

Teller should fill in the withdrawal slip
  Customer should supply the following information:
       • name account number          • amount to withdraw

      D. Open a savings account

Teller should inform the customer of the minimum amount for an initial deposit,     complete the paperwork
Customer should tell the clerk how he wants the money and ask the customer for    the following information
       • address        • place of  employment
         • an ID            • amount of initial deposit
Customer should supply the requested information

E. Apply for a loan for a new car

Teller should complete the paperwork and ask the customer for
      the following information:
        • name                                    • address
        • place of employment            • length of time at present job          
        • average monthly salary         • average monthly expenses                      
        • an ID name of  person for reference    
        • name of a person to act as co-signer

Customer should supply the requested information

Retrieved on Dec 20, 2010

from http://www.hotel-tefl.com/yadayadaenglish/bank/