Unlocking Worlds by Making Language Learning Fun with Carolina Bongers | Ep. 134

2026-01-08

Download

In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, I talk with Carolina Bongers, founder of Jungle the Bungle.Carolina is building a language learning app for children aged two to eight that makes learning feel like play. Her ambition goes far beyond vocabulary. As she puts it: “We’re not teaching words, we’re unlocking worlds.”We talk about how being raised bilingual shaped her optimism and problem-solving mindset, why fun is not optional when it comes to learning, and how Jungle the Bungle removes the idea of right and wrong a...

In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, I talk with Carolina Bongers, founder of Jungle the Bungle.

Carolina is building a language learning app for children aged two to eight that makes learning feel like play. Her ambition goes far beyond vocabulary. As she puts it: “We’re not teaching words, we’re unlocking worlds.”

We talk about how being raised bilingual shaped her optimism and problem-solving mindset, why fun is not optional when it comes to learning, and how Jungle the Bungle removes the idea of right and wrong answers to keep children curious and engaged.

We also explore her nuanced view on screen time. Children are using screens anyway, so the real responsibility lies in offering content that helps them learn responsibly.

Carolina shares how she validated her idea in an unexpected way by first writing children’s books, why interest came from schools and libraries rather than parents, and what she learned from crowdfunding. Including how asking for money became easier once she saw it as inviting people into a shared success.

We close with her advice to founders. Build things that are intuitive. Assume your users have very little headspace. And when in doubt, design with the simplicity of a two to eight-year-old in mind.

Listen to episode 134 of Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

Chapters

02:05 Introduction to Jungle de Bungle

04:47 The Power of Bilingualism

07:36 Creating Engaging Educational Content

09:58 Addressing Screen Time Concerns

12:36 Fun and Effective Learning Methods

15:39 Transitioning from Books to Apps

18:25 Adapting for Schools and Educational Needs

21:06 Future Growth and Expansion Plans

23:46 Crowdfunding and Community Engagement

26:42 Lessons Learned and Overcoming Challenges