Valid points!
For the spelling game, it is actually told in dialogue but just in a "language" you don't understand. And wouldn't one get it in the first failure ie. not fail it repeatedly? Not very many times at least.
The patch I'm currently working on adds in a log book to your ship that tracks all events you've encountered offering more info and hints about them. Also includes an option to start with a crew member and trinket, but you gotta unlock and earn those starters though.