English speaking lesson · Services & Admin
Opening a bank account
You're at a bank branch, ready to open a new account. You practise it as a real conversation, at whichever of the four levels fits you — the room and the steps stay the same, only the words get harder.
A bank branch · you talk to the bank clerk
Free plan: 10 messages a day. No card needed.
What you have to do
Ask to open an account, provide your details, ask the right questions, and get it set up. You finish the lesson by getting there in conversation — not by answering questions about it. Nothing is corrected while you talk; the corrections are collected and handed to you at the end.
How it opens
Good morning — welcome in. How can I help you today?
Spoken aloud by the tutor playing the bank clerk.
The 5 steps that finish it
A step clears when you say the thing that clears it. The steps are identical at all four levels — only the example line fades, and at Natural there is none at all.
- 01
Ask to open an account
Say hello, and say you'd like to open a bank account.
“Hi! I'd like to open an account, please.”
- 02
Choose an account type
Say what type of account you'd like.
“A savings account, please — I want to save some money.”
- 03
Give your details
Give your ID or the personal details asked for.
“Sure — here's my name and address.”
- 04
Ask the right questions
Check your details are right, and ask about any fees or features.
“Yes, that's right. Is there a fee for the card?”
- 05
Get it set up
Listen to the answer, then confirm how you'd like to receive your card.
“Okay, thanks! Could I get the card mailed to my address?”
The words, at all four levels
The same room and the same steps, four vocabularies. These are the words the lesson listens for and scores you on — with what each one means and how it sounds when you are talking to the bank clerk.
Starter
A1 – A2Simple, everyday words with a full hint on every step.
- account
- a place at a bank to keep your money
- “I'd like to open an account.”
- open
- to start something new
- “I'd like to open an account.”
- money
- cash or funds you have
- “I want to save some money.”
- card
- a bank card you pay with
- “When will I get my card?”
- save
- to keep money for later
- “I want to save some money.”
- name
- what someone is called
- “Here's my name and address.”
- address
- where you live
- “Here's my name and address.”
- please
- a polite word when you ask for something
- “An account, please.”
- sure
- used to agree to something
- “Sure, here you go.”
- thanks
- a short way to say thank you
- “Okay, thanks!”
Conversational
A2 – B1Common words at a natural pace, with hints to lean on.
- savings
- an account for keeping money over time
- “I'd like a savings account.”
- checking
- an account for everyday spending
- “I'm after a checking account.”
- deposit
- money put into an account
- “I'd like to make a deposit today.”
- balance
- the amount of money in an account
- “Can I check my balance anytime?”
- monthly
- happening once every month
- “Is there a monthly fee?”
- statement
- a record of account activity
- “Could I get an online statement?”
- online
- done through the internet
- “Can I manage it online?”
- identification
- official proof of who you are
- “Here's my identification.”
- fee
- money charged for a service
- “Is there a monthly fee I should know about?”
- appreciate
- to be grateful for something
- “I appreciate you explaining that.”
Confident
B1 – B2Richer, more specific words, with only light hints.
- overdraft
- spending more than you have in the account
- “Is there an overdraft option?”
- interest
- extra money earned on savings
- “What's the interest rate like?”
- minimum
- the smallest amount allowed
- “Is there a minimum balance required?”
- transfer
- to move money from one account to another
- “Can I transfer between accounts easily?”
- withdrawal
- taking money out of an account
- “Is withdrawal free at any ATM?”
- feature
- something an account offers
- “Does this account have a standout feature?”
- eligibility
- whether you qualify for something
- “What's the eligibility for this account?”
- verify
- to confirm something is true or correct
- “I've got what you need to verify my identity.”
- branch
- a local office of a bank
- “Is this the only branch nearby?”
- waived
- cancelled or not charged
- “Can that fee be waived somehow?”
Natural
B2 – C1Advanced, idiomatic words — no hints at all.
- liquidity
- how easily money can be accessed
- “I'd like to keep some liquidity available.”
- accrue
- to gradually build up over time
- “Does interest accrue monthly?”
- dormant
- inactive for a long period
- “What happens if the account goes dormant?”
- stipulation
- a specific condition attached to something
- “Is there any stipulation on withdrawals?”
- threshold
- a level that must be reached
- “Is there a balance threshold to avoid fees?”
- tiered
- structured in levels or stages
- “Is the interest rate tiered?”
- forfeit
- to lose something as a penalty
- “Would I forfeit anything by closing it early?”
- incur
- to become subject to a cost
- “Would I incur any charges for that?”
- discretionary
- left to individual judgment
- “Is that fee discretionary or fixed?”
- consolidate
- to combine several things into one
- “Could I consolidate my other accounts here?”
More Services & Admin lessons
- Customer service call
- Courier claim
- Making an insurance claim
- Registering at the town hall
- Renewing your ID
- At the tax office
- Visa appointment