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One of the most important communicative skills is listening and, at the same time, the Achilles' heel of many L2 learners as it entails multi-level cognitive processes (Lynch, 2002). Besides, as various studies show, self-efficacy measures are closely tied to the effective use of learning strategies. Considering the key role that concept mapping, as an indispensable cognitive learning strategy, and self-efficacy play on an individual's achievement (Bandura, 1986, 1997), the present study aimed to examine the influence of explicit teaching and utilization of concept mapping on Iranian EFL students' listening achievement and perceived self-efficacy. The participants were sixty intermediate university students studying English as a foreign language. They were assigned into two groups, namely control and one experimental group, each including thirty participants. The students in the experimental group were trained to utilize concept mapping while doing their routine listening tasks. The instruments were a self-efficacy questionnaire and a test of listening achievement. The findings indicated that the experimental group performed significantly better in the listening achievement test after learning to use a concept-mapping strategy. Likewise, their perceived self-efficacy in accomplishing listening tasks improved after the intervention period. [Note: The publication year (2020) shown on the PDF is incorrect. The correct publication year for v21 is 2021.]

In 2008, we investigated the relationships between the hatching success of the Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis with egg laying onset, nest diameter, as a proxy of nest size, and egg weight, as a proxy of egg size, in an artificial wetland in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. The first egg was laid on April 23 and the last chick hatched on July 27. From 118 eggs on 25 nests, we recorded a total of 72 hatchlings (hatching rate: 61%). A generalized linear model (GLM) revealed that while egg size and nest diameter were not significant factors predicting hatching success, egg laying onset predicted significantly the hatching success as early breeders were likely to produce less hatchlings than late breeders. Further studies will be necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of such results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]