Life-long learning is becoming the main trend of the present and the future as well as the challenge for the adult segment of the population. Taking into consideration the fact that about 40 years of learning runs while working, the main priority of adult learning is professional growth. Professional growth, motivation for work and learning are ensured and encouraged by well developed key competences. One of the major key competences is the learning to learn (futher - L2L) competence, a key competence for developing other general and specific competences which has to be fostered throughout all conscious human life. The situation of the analysis of theoretical study and empirical research of adult L2L competence in Lithuania provides the possibility to define the problem of the research: how the adults understand and assess their L2L competence and what are the possibilities for the development of the competence. The aim of the research is to reveal the expression of adults’ L2L competence and its development possibilities.

In the Dissertation the concept of L2L competence in literature is revealed, the hypothetical model of adult L2L competence is worked out, the development possibilities for adult L2L competence are highlighted.

In the empirical part of the work the expression of adult L2L competence is assessed and educational impact for change of abilities that constitute L2L competence is revealed. On the basis of theoretical and empirical research and educational project results the conclusions about the expression of adult L2L competence are formulated and the possibilities of the competence development are discussed.