EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
  We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
on Forms S-3 (Nos. 333-35855 and 333-42929), as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on September 18, 1997 pertaining to the shares issued in
conjunction with the acquisition of Ben Watson Associates Limited and on
December 22, 1997 pertaining to the shares issued in conjunction with the
acquisition of CBT Systems Middle East Limited, on Form S-4 (No. 333-51159),
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 28, 1998
pertaining to the shares issued in conjunction with the acquisition of the
Forefront Group, Inc., on Forms S-8 (Nos. 333-06409, 333-25245, 333-35745,
333-57031 and 333-68499), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on June 20, 1996 pertaining to the 1994 Share Option Plan, on April 16, 1997
pertaining to the 1996 Supplemental Stock Plan and Applied Learning Limited
Executive Stock Plan, on September 16, 1997 pertaining to the 1994 Share
Option Plan, on June 17, 1998 pertaining to the Forefront Group, Inc. Amended
and Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan, the Forefront Group, Inc. Amended and
Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan and the Forefront Group, Inc. 1996 Non-
Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan, and on December 7, 1998 pertaining to
the Amended and Restated 1994 Share Option Plan of our reports dated January
19, 1999, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule
included in this annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31,
1998.
 
                                          /s/ Ernst & Young
 
Dublin, Ireland
April 30, 1999
 
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