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                                                             Exhibit 99.a.5.viii

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

              SYLVAN LEARNING SYSTEMS, INC. ANNOUNCES PRELIMINARY
                     PRORATION FACTOR FOR SELF-TENDER OFFER

     BALTIMORE, May 2, 2000 - Earlier today, Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc.
(NASDAQ: SLVN) 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, approximately 14,739,942 shares of common stock were properly
tendered and not withdrawn at prices at or below $17.50 per share. Sylvan
expects to purchase approximately 8,507,208 shares at a purchase price of $15.25
per share. Sylvan and the depositary have preliminarily reviewed the number of
shares tendered and expect the proration factor to be between 83% and 85%. This
means Sylvan will purchase between 83% and 85% of the approximately 10,065,002
number of shares tendered at either $15.25 or at any price determined pursuant
to the tender offer. The proration factor, 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.

     The Dealer Managers for the tender offer were 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
educational services to families, schools and industry. The Sylvan Learning
Centers and Contract Education Services divisions 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. Through its affiliate,
Caliber Learning Network, Inc., Sylvan also has the ability to distribute world-
class adult professional education and training programs.
