Why do financial education programs keep failing? It's not what you think. In this episode, we dive deep into the linguistic barriers that make financial education inaccessible to the people who need it most.
Our guest breaks down why terms like "financial literacy" are actually harmful, how finance operates like a specialized form of English that even native speakers struggle with, and why most financial education programs are designed by one speech community for everyone else.
Key Topics Covered:
Why "financial literacy" sets people up for failure from the start
The difference between financial education (passive) and financial learning (active)
How financial terminology works like English for Specific Purposes (ESP)
Speech communities: Why a Wall Street analyst and a working parent talk about money completely differently
The cruel trap of assuming English speakers should understand financial jargon
Why we need instructional designers, not just financial experts
Learning KPIs that actually measure behavior change, not just knowledge retention
Quotable Moments:
"Being financially literate isn't about knowing definitions. It's about having the fluency to make good decisions in real situations."
"We're essentially telling people: to be financially successful, you need to think and talk like a financial professional. That's linguistic colonialism."
"Most programs talk AT people instead of TO them."
Actionable Takeaways:
How to evaluate whether financial education actually works (spoiler: completion rates don't matter)
What linguistically responsive financial learning looks like
Why "financial capability" is better than "financial literacy"
Perfect for educators, product managers, financial professionals, and anyone who's ever felt excluded by financial jargon.
Listen if: You've ever wondered why financial education doesn't seem to work, or if you're building learning experiences that actually need to change behavior.
