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                                                              Exhibit 99.a.5.vii

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sylvan Contact:
Lee McGee
Chief Financial Officer
410-843-8704
Linda Palarino
410-843-8094

              SYLVAN LEARNING SYSTEMS, INC. ANNOUNCES PRELIMINARY
                          RESULTS OF SELF-TENDER OFFER

     BALTIMORE,  May 2, 2000 - Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:  SLVN)
today announced the preliminary results of its self tender offer, which expired
on May 1, 2000. Based on a preliminary count by the depositary for the tender
offer, 14,739,942 shares of common stock (including 3,939,692 shares tendered
through notice of guaranteed delivery), representing approximately 29.27% of the
company's outstanding shares, were properly tendered and not withdrawn at prices
at or below $17.50 per share. Sylvan has elected to exercise its option to
purchase an additional two percent of the outstanding shares (1,007,208) in the
tender. Pursuant to applicable securities laws, Sylvan expects to purchase
approximately 8,507,208 shares at a purchase price of $15.25 per share. Both
the number of shares expected to be purchased and the price per share are
preliminary and are subject to verification by the depositary. The actual number
of shares to be purchased and the actual price per share will be announced
promptly following completion of the verification process. Sylvan will pay for
all shares purchased promptly following that time.

     Sylvan commenced the tender offer on March 21, 2000, when it offered to
purchase up to 9,500,000 shares of its common stock at a price between $15.25
and $17.50 per share net to the seller in cash, without interest. Sylvan
subsequently amended its offer to extend the offer period and to change the
number of shares being purchased to 7,500,000 shares.  As of May 1, 2000, Sylvan
had 50,360,397 shares issued and outstanding. As a result of the completion of
the tender offer, Sylvan expects to have approximately 41.9 million shares
issued and outstanding as of the time immediately following payment for the
tendered shares.

     The Dealer Manager for the tender offer was Goldman, Sachs & Co. and the
information agent was D.F. King & Co., Inc.

About Sylvan Learning Systems

Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. (www.sylvan.net) is the leading provider of
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educational services to families, schools and industry.  The Sylvan Learning
Centers and Education Solutions provide personalized instruction services to K-
12 students through direct consumer relationships and under contract to school
systems.  Sylvan provides courses to adult students throughout the world in the
areas of English language, teacher training and accredited university offerings
through the Wall Street Institute / ASPECT, Canter and Sylvan International
Universities subsidiaries.  Sylvan Ventures, Sylvan's new e-learning investment
vehicle, focuses on bringing emerging Internet technology solutions to the
education and training marketplace. Through its affiliate, Caliber Learning
Network, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLBR), Sylvan also has the ability to distribute world-
class adult professional education and training programs.
