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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 42 · Out and about · A1–A2
Paying bills: due dates and payment plans
Ask about a bill, check the due date and ask for more time or a payment plan.
Welcome, !
Warm-up · talk with a partner
When do you need English for paying bills: due dates and payment plans? What words do you already know?
Key phrase 1 of 8
I'm calling about my electricity bill.
Say why you're calling.
Key phrase 2 of 8
When is it due?
Ask the last day you can pay.
Key phrase 3 of 8
The due date is the 15th.
The day you must pay by.
Key phrase 4 of 8
I think there's a mistake on my bill.
Politely say something looks wrong.
Key phrase 5 of 8
Can I pay in instalments?
Pay a big bill in smaller parts. One part is an instalment.
Key phrase 6 of 8
Could I set up a payment plan?
Ask to pay the bill over time.
Key phrase 7 of 8
Can I set up direct debit?
The money comes out of your bank account automatically.
Key phrase 8 of 8
My account number is…
Have your bill in front of you when you call.
Conversation
Patrick and Elena
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then we go line by line.
Conversation · line 1 of 10
Patrick
Thanks for calling. My name's Patrick. How can I help?
Conversation · line 2 of 10
Patrick: Thanks for calling. My name's Patrick. How can I help?
Elena
Hi Patrick. I'm calling about my electricity bill. It's much higher than usual.
Conversation · line 3 of 10
Elena: Hi Patrick. I'm calling about my electricity bill. It's much higher than usual.
Patrick
I can look into that. Can I have your account number?
Conversation · line 4 of 10
Patrick: I can look into that. Can I have your account number?
Elena
Sure, it's 4 8 2 7 1 9 3.
Conversation · line 5 of 10
Elena: Sure, it's 4 8 2 7 1 9 3.
Patrick
Thanks. It looks like this bill is for winter, when people use more heating.
Conversation · line 6 of 10
Patrick: Thanks. It looks like this bill is for winter, when people use more heating.
Elena
I see. The problem is, it's due on Friday, and I can't pay it all at once.
Conversation · line 7 of 10
Elena: I see. The problem is, it's due on Friday, and I can't pay it all at once.
Patrick
Thanks for letting us know early. We can set up a payment plan.
Conversation · line 8 of 10
Patrick: Thanks for letting us know early. We can set up a payment plan.
Elena
That would be great. Can I pay in fortnightly instalments?
Conversation · line 9 of 10
Elena: That would be great. Can I pay in fortnightly instalments?
Patrick
Yes. I'll split it into three payments and email you the dates.
Conversation · line 10 of 10
Patrick: Yes. I'll split it into three payments and email you the dates.
Elena
Thank you so much. That really helps.
Your turn · role-play
Work with a partner
Student A is Patrick. Student B is Elena. Read the conversation together, then swap. Then try it again with your own details.
Your turn · say it 1 of 3
I'm calling about my … bill.
Use your own details where you see “…”. Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 2 of 3
When is it due?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 3 of 3
Could I set up a payment plan, please?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Quiz · question 1 of 5
The 'due date' is…
- A the day the bill was sent
- B the last day to pay
- C the day you get paid
✓ B: Pay by the due date to avoid problems or late fees.
Quiz · question 2 of 5
You can't pay a bill on time. What's the best thing to do?
- A Ignore it and hope it goes away
- B Wait until after the due date
- C Contact the company early and ask about options
✓ C: Companies can often help, for example with a payment plan, if you contact them early.
Quiz · question 3 of 5
'Instalments' are…
- A smaller payments that add up to the total
- B extra fees
- C receipts
✓ A: Paying in instalments means paying the total in smaller parts.
Quiz · question 4 of 5
'Direct debit' means…
- A you pay in cash at the counter
- B the money comes out of your account automatically
- C the company gives you money back
✓ B: With direct debit, you don't need to remember to pay each time.
Quiz · question 5 of 5
'Fortnightly' means…
- A every two weeks
- B every four weeks
- C twice a week
✓ A: A fortnight is two weeks.
Culture talk
How does this work in your country? Tell your partner.
Well done, !
Practise at home
The same lesson, free, no sign-up:
englishcoaching.co/
Free lessons at englishcoaching.co
· englishcoaching.co
Teacher notes
Level: Out and about · A1–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: "When do you need English for paying bills: due dates and payment plans? What words do you already know?" 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 Patrick and student B is Elena. 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: Patrick is read by Josh and Elena 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.
Culture talk
End by asking learners how this works in their country. It's a natural way to practise the new phrases and to learn from each other.
After class
- Learners can do the full lesson at home, free and with no sign-up: Paying bills: due dates and payment plans. 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 42: Paying bills: due dates and payment plans
Ask about a bill, check the due date and ask for more time or a payment plan.
A. Key phrases: fill the gaps
Word bank: account · date · direct · due · electricity · instalments · mistake · payment
- I'm calling about my bill. (Say why you're calling)
- When is it ? (Ask the last day you can pay)
- The due is the 15th. (The day you must pay by)
- I think there's a on my bill. (Politely say something looks wrong)
- Can I pay in ? (Pay a big bill in smaller parts. One part is an instalment)
- Could I set up a plan? (Ask to pay the bill over time)
- Can I set up debit? (The money comes out of your bank account automatically)
- My number is… (Have your bill in front of you when you call)
B. Listen to the conversation and fill the gaps
- Patrick: Thanks for . My name's Patrick. How can I help?
- Elena: Hi Patrick. I'm about my electricity bill. It's much higher than usual.
- Patrick: I can look into that. Can I have your account ?
- Elena: Sure, it's 4 8 2 7 1 9 3.
- Patrick: Thanks. It looks like this bill is for winter, when people use more .
- Elena: I see. The is, it's due on Friday, and I can't pay it all at once.
- Patrick: Thanks for us know early. We can set up a payment plan.
- Elena: That would be great. Can I pay in instalments?
- Patrick: Yes. I'll split it into three and email you the dates.
- Elena: Thank you so much. That helps.
C. Quick quiz: circle the best answer
The 'due date' is…
a) the day the bill was sentb) the last day to payc) the day you get paid
You can't pay a bill on time. What's the best thing to do?
a) Ignore it and hope it goes awayb) Wait until after the due datec) Contact the company early and ask about options
'Instalments' are…
a) smaller payments that add up to the totalb) extra feesc) receipts
'Direct debit' means…
a) you pay in cash at the counterb) the money comes out of your account automaticallyc) the company gives you money back
'Fortnightly' means…
a) every two weeksb) every four weeksc) twice a week
D. My sentences
Finish these with your own details. Then write two more sentences you can use this week.
- I'm calling about my bill.
- When is it due?
- Could I set up a payment plan, please?
Free lesson with audio: englishcoaching.co/learn-english/everyday-english/paying-bills-and-payment-plans/ · Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Answer key · Lesson 42: Paying bills: due dates and payment plans
A. Key phrases
- I'm calling about my electricity bill.
- When is it due?
- The due date is the 15th.
- I think there's a mistake on my bill.
- Can I pay in instalments?
- Could I set up a payment plan?
- Can I set up direct debit?
- My account number is…
B. Conversation gaps
- calling
- calling
- number
- –
- heating
- problem
- letting
- fortnightly
- payments
- really
C. Quiz
- b) the last day to pay
- c) Contact the company early and ask about options
- a) smaller payments that add up to the total
- b) the money comes out of your account automatically
- a) every two weeks
englishcoaching.co/learn-english/everyday-english/paying-bills-and-payment-plans/
Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I teach paying bills: due dates and payment plans 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?
Out and about level, about CEFR A1–A2. It is lesson 42 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/paying-bills-and-payment-plans/. 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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