Day 3: International Money Transfers

Learn how to send money overseas, solve banking problems, and communicate effectively with Australian bank staff.

Scenario 3A: Family Transfer

Customer Role: You are an international student studying in Australia. Your mother in Vietnam needs financial assistance.

Scenario: You would like to send AUD $500 overseas for the first time. You are unsure how international transfers work.

Objective: Find out what information is required, how much the transfer costs, and how long the transfer will take.

Vocabulary: recipient, transfer fee, exchange rate, international transfer, processing time

Scenario 3B: Missing SWIFT Code

Customer Role: You need to send money overseas.

Scenario: You have the recipient's name and account number, but you do not have the SWIFT code.

Objective: Discover why the SWIFT code is important and learn what you need to do before the transfer can proceed.

Vocabulary: SWIFT code, bank details, verification, receiving bank, international banking

Scenario 3C: Wrong Account Number

Customer Role: You are sending money to a family member overseas.

Scenario: The bank discovers there may be a problem with the account information you provided.

Objective: Work with the teller to identify the mistake, correct the information, and complete the transfer safely.

Vocabulary: account number, beneficiary, bank records, confirmation, transfer request

Scenario 3D: Emergency Transfer

Customer Role: You need to send money overseas urgently.

Scenario: A family emergency has happened and your family needs money as soon as possible.

Objective: Ask about the fastest transfer options, possible fees, and realistic delivery times.

Vocabulary: urgent transfer, priority service, business days, additional fee, transfer tracking

Visual references

Use these images to connect the banking words to real overseas transfer situations.

Illustration for sending money overseas — Overseas transfer: reminds students to ask about fee, code, and timing.

Illustration of passport and identification — Photo ID: supports the identity check before a transfer is sent.

Illustration of a SWIFT code reference — SWIFT code: the missing bank detail the customer must find.

Illustration of an urgent money transfer — Urgent transfer: useful for discussing speed and extra fees.

Real-Life Banking Vocabulary

Recipient – person receiving the money
Beneficiary – official banking term for the recipient
SWIFT Code – international bank identification code
Transfer Fee – cost of sending money
Exchange Rate – value of one currency compared to another
Processing Time – how long the transfer takes
Verification – confirming information is correct
Transfer Limit – maximum amount allowed
Foreign Currency – money from another country
Transaction – movement of money

Useful Questions at the Bank

I'd like to send money overseas.
How much does the transfer cost?
How long will the transfer take?
What information do you need?
Do I need a SWIFT code?
Can I track the transfer?
Is there a transfer limit?
What happens if the details are incorrect?

Australian Banking Notes

Bring photo identification when visiting a bank.
Always double-check account numbers before sending money.
Large transfers may require additional verification.
International transfers often take 1–5 business days.
Different banks may charge different fees.

After the Roleplay — IELTS Speaking Practice

Part 1 — Introduction and Interview

(4–5 mins)

Answer template

Answer directly → explain → add an example.

Yes, I do. / No, not really. Usually, I prefer to ___ because ___. For example, when I needed to ___, I decided to ___. Overall, I think ___ because ___.

Have you ever sent money to someone?

Yes, I have. I once sent money to my family overseas because they needed help. The process was simple after I prepared all the banking information.
Do you usually use cash or bank transfer?

I usually prefer bank transfers because they are faster and easier to track.
Do you think international banking is difficult?

At first it seems difficult because of the extra details required, but after learning the process it becomes manageable.

Part 2 — Cue Card

(1 min preparation · 1–2 mins speaking)

Describe a time when you had to solve a financial problem.

what happened
who was involved
what steps you took
and explain how you felt afterward

Answer template

I'd like to talk about a time when ___. This happened when ___. The situation became difficult because ___. To solve the problem, I first ___. After that, I ___. Eventually, ___. Looking back, I learned ___.

My notes

Sample answer

I'd like to talk about a time when I needed to send money overseas. My family needed financial support, so I visited the bank. First, I prepared the account number and identification. Then, I asked about fees and transfer times. In the end, the transfer was completed successfully. I felt relieved because everything arrived safely.

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Part 3 — Discussion

(4–5 mins)

Answer template

State opinion → explain → compare → example.

"In my opinion, __. One reason is __. For example, __. However, __. Overall, ___. "

Should banks make international transfers easier?

In my opinion, banks should simplify international transfers. One reason is that many customers feel confused by technical information and requirements. For example, first-time users may not understand terms such as SWIFT code or transfer fee. However, banks still need security procedures to protect customers. Overall, I believe the process should become easier while maintaining strong verification systems.
Why do people send money internationally?

People often send money to support family members, pay tuition fees, or manage business activities.
Should banks make international transfers easier?

Yes, because simpler systems reduce mistakes and help customers feel more confident.
Do you think digital banking will replace traditional banking?

Digital banking is growing quickly, but many people still value face-to-face support for important transactions.