Lesson Plan

• Describe the four components of the current account.
• Calculate the current‑account balance using the standard formula.
• Determine whether a calculated balance represents a surplus or a deficit and explain its economic implications.
• Apply the calculation to exam‑style data and relate the result to globalisation trends.

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Printed worksheets with data tables
• Calculator or spreadsheet software
• Whiteboard and markers
• Handout summarising the formula and component list

Start with a quick poll: “Which country do you think runs a current‑account surplus?” to activate prior knowledge of trade balances. Explain that today students will learn how to calculate deficits and surpluses on the current account. Success criteria: correctly compute the balance and interpret its meaning.

1. Do‑now (5’) – Short quiz on the four current‑account components.
2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Review components, introduce the formula, demonstrate a sample calculation.
3. Guided practice (15’) – Work through the provided example together, filling in totals and balance.
4. Independent practice (15’) – Students calculate the current‑account balance from a new data set on a worksheet while the teacher circulates.
5. Concept check (5’) – Exit ticket: state whether the result is a surplus or deficit and one economic implication.
6. Link to globalisation (5’) – Brief discussion of how global trends affect each component.

Recap that the current‑account balance is the net of credits and debits across four components and that its sign indicates a surplus or deficit. Students complete the exit ticket by writing one real‑world implication of a deficit. Homework: finish a set of exam‑style questions on current‑account calculations.