Listening/ Speaking - Bank Robbery

Ok time for a bit of fun with your students. I've used this with beginners and more advanced students and it works equally as well. They are going to enter the world of crime and plan a bank robbery! I find that they often come up with some very elaborate plans and it's great for teaching a wealth of vocabulary.

And what could be a more perfect set-up than using The Clash's classic track, Bankrobber as a listening exercise? Gap fill is below followed by the full lyrics and the role play.

Alternatively you can ask your students to come up with as many crimes as they can think of, board them and then ask them to put them in order of seriousness. An initial list is at the bottom of the posting.


Bankrobber - The Clash. Gap Fill

My Daddy was a __________
But he never hurt ____________
He just loved to live that way
And he loved to steal your ___________

Some is ________ and some is __________
And that's the way the world is
And I don't believe in lying back
And saying how bad your luck is

So we came to jazz it up
Never loved a _________
Break your back to earn your ________
And don't forget to _________

Daddy was a ___________
But he never hurt __________
He just loved to live that way
And he loved to take your __________

The old man spoke up in a _________
Said I never been in ___________
A lifetime serving one machine
Is ten times worse than prison

Imagine if all the boys in _______
Could get out now together
What do you think they want to say to us
While we were being clever?

Someday you'll meet your __________
Cause that's where we're spinning
There's no point to want to comb your hair
When its grey and thinning

Daddy was a __________
But he never hurt ____________
He just loved to live that way
And he loved to steal your ____________

So we came to jazz it up
We never loved a ________
Break your back to earn your ___________
And don't forget to __________

Get away, get away
Get away, get away
Get away, get away
Get away

Daddy was a _________
But he never hurt __________
He just loved to live that way
And he loved to steal your ___________

Run, rabbit, run

Strike out boy
For the hills
I can't find that hole in the wall
I know that they never will

Bankrobber - The Clash. Full Lyrics

My Daddy was a bankrobber
But he never hurt nobody
He just loved to live that way
And he loved to steal your money

Some is rich and some is poor
And that's the way the world is
And I don't believe in lying back
And saying how bad your luck is

So we came to jazz it up
Never loved a shovel
Break your back to earn your pay
And don't forget to grovel

Daddy was a bankrobber
But he never hurt nobody
He just loved to live that way
And he loved to take your money

The old man spoke up in a bar
Said I never been in prison
A lifetime serving one machine
Is ten times worse than prison

Imagine if all the boys in jail
Could get out now together
What do you think they want to say to us
While we were being clever?

Someday you'll meet your rockin chair
Cause that's where we're spinning
There's no point to want to comb your hair
When its grey and thinning

Daddy was a bankrobber
But he never hurt nobody
He just loved to live that way
And he loved to steal your money

So we came to jazz it up
We never loved a shovel
Break your back to earn your pay
And don't forget to grovel

Get away, get away
Get away, get away
Get away, get away
Get away

Daddy was a bankrobber
But he never hurt nobody
He just loved to live that way
And he loved to steal your money

Run, rabbit, run

Strike out boy
For the hills
I can't find that hole in the wall
I know that they never will


Role Play - Bank Robbery

You are going to plan a bank robbery! Discuss the following points in groups and make your plan:

- What roles which each member of the team fulfil?
- Where is the bank?
- How much money do you plan to take?
- What time of day will you rob the bank?
- How will you get into the bank? Is there a lot of security?
- Will you be armed?
- How will you make sure nobody gets hurt?
- How will you make sure you don't get caught? Will you wear a disguise?
- How long will it take?
- How will you make your get-away? Will you have a get-away car? Who will drive?
- Where will you go after the robbery?
- What will you do with the money?

Role Play - Some Useful Vocabulary

- Alarm
- Arrest
- Break-in
- Crowd control
- Diversion tactics
- Get-away
- Have-a-go hero
- Hostage
- Hold-up
- CCTV cameras
- Safe
- Security guard
- Weapon


Vocabulary - Crimes

Arson
Assault
Blackmail
Bribery
Burglary
Drug smuggling
Fraud
Kidnapping
Manslaughter
Mugging
Murder
Pick-pocketing
Robbery
Shoplifting
Terrorism
Theft
Treason
Vandalism