Hi heather,
I teach FCE english, so can not help with the book recommendation. But I do have some strategies i find useful:
Teach the students comprehension strategies just like you would for 1st language learners.
I taught some students how to scan a document quickly and effectively - we then discussed which part of the test it would be useful to use this skill and then when it is useful in real life as well.
I also taught the students how to highlight, take notes, and other key skills they need to be successful in the reading part of the test.
Once they had taken notes on a subject (usually one that interests them - I would get them to write an e-mail, report, article or whatever else they were currently learning about). I have found the students really respond to lessons where they learn the exact same strategies I use to teach to 10 - 12 year olds for reading and writing. It is very effective in helping them prepare.
I personally find that teenagers and adults get bored very quickly with following a book - therefore I ensure every lesson has a meaningful starter activity that is related to the topic in the book. Often I use the book as follow up homework rather than the actual teaching...
Another strategy I use is to get the students to mark other peoples articles, reports, emails etc, using the marking criteria given in the handbook. There are many examples online of attempts that range from bad to excellent. Give the students a range of them to mark - even get them to sort them from bad to excellent - and give reasons why. It is a very effective strategy to teach students what is required of them. And they really enjoy it as it is meaningful to them.
I hope this helps - feel free to email me if you want to discuss strategies further - I do miss having a teacher to bounce ideas off.
