International Trade and Balance of Payments

Grade 12 · Economics

Semester 2 | Period 4 | Week 21

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Subject: Economics

Semester: 2

Period: 4

Week: 21


School Name:

Teacher’s Name:

Subject: Economics

Grade Level: Grade 12

Week & Period: Week 21, Period IV

Date:

Topic: International Trade and Balance of Payments
Sub-topic: Differences between Domestic and International Trade

Instructional Objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners should be able to:

  1. Identify and explain the differences between domestic and international trade.
  2. Understand the role of currency, regulations, and transportation in both trade types.
  3. Relate the importance of international trade to Liberia’s economic standing.

 

Instructional Materials

  • Comparative trade charts
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Sample currencies and trade documents

 

Previous Knowledge

Students already understand the concepts of international and domestic trade from previous weeks.

 

A – Anticipation (Engagement/Warm-Up)

Motivational Set (5 minutes) Ask:

“Is it easier for someone to trade in their local market than across national borders? Why or why not?” Encourage different opinions to introduce today’s lesson.

 

B – Building Knowledge (Development)

Teacher’s Explanation (20 minutes)

Domestic Trade:

  • Trade occurs within the same country.
  • Same currency is used.
  • Less documentation and fewer restrictions.
  • Transportation is local.
  • Example: Buying rice from Lofa to sell in Monrovia.

International Trade:

  • Involves two or more countries.
  • Different currencies are used (exchange rates apply).
  • Requires customs, tariffs, and more regulation.
  • Involves longer transportation (air, sea).
  • Example: Liberia exports timber to China.

Key Differences:

Feature

Domestic Trade

International Trade

Currency

Same

Different

Regulations

Local

International

Transport

Local (road)

International (ship/air)

Language

Same or similar

May differ

Cost of Trade

Lower

Higher (due to tariffs)

 

Class Activity (10 minutes)

Group learners into pairs. Ask each group to create a comparison chart showing the differences between buying and selling palm oil within Liberia and exporting it to Ghana. Present to the class.

 

C – Consolidation (Wrap-Up and Evaluation)

Teacher Summary (3 minutes) Summarize how domestic trade is simpler and more direct, while international trade brings in more complexity but wider markets and profit.

 

Assessment (7 minutes)

Multiple Choice:

  1. Which trade involves different currencies? A. Domestic trade
    International trade
    C. Internal trade
    D. Local trade
  2. One key difference between domestic and international trade is: A. Same products
    Same language
    C. Involves other countries
    D. Uses no transport

Short Answer: 3. Mention one document required in international trade. 4. List two ways domestic trade differs from international trade.

Assignment

Write a short comparison of domestic and international trade using Liberia as a case study. Use one paragraph for each.

 

Teacher's Reflection (Questions Only)

  1. Were learners able to clearly differentiate domestic and international trade?
  2. Did students actively participate in the comparison activity?
  3. Were they able to give accurate examples from Liberia?
  4. Was the comparison chart useful in clarifying the differences?
  5. Were the lesson objectives achieved?