The paper examines the problems faced by lecturers of the Department of Russian and Foreign Languages (Russian State Agrarian University-Moscow Timiryzev Agricultural Academy) when switching to distance learning due to the coronavirus pandemic. The authors dwell on specific features of the distance presentation of new material, as well as the control of learning outcomes. The experimental part presents the survey results of students' opinion on the frequency of using certain types of learning activities and the approval rating of learning activities from students' point of view. The authors also share their successful experience of teaching Business Foreign Language in a distance format for correspondence students. In conclusion, they summarize ideas on further ways to improve the effectiveness of distance courses of a foreign language for specific purposes. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.