This paper presents data on effective tools and methods of online learning obtained during a survey of 72 teachers of Russian as a foreign language working in various universities in St. Petersburg. The questionnaire, which included 7 open and closed questions, was created taking into account the features of the online lesson: reliance on cloud platforms for video conferencing, the dominant nature of visual perception of information, the need to constantly maintain the attention of students, and the lack of direct contact between the teacher and students. During the survey, it was found that the effectiveness of online teaching Russian as a foreign language, according to teachers, depends on the technical capabilities of cloud platforms for video conferencing, the use of both traditional textbooks in PDF format, and electronic textbooks as well as teachers' own training materials. Also it depends on the use of slide presentations, additional audio and video materials of both educational and non-educational nature, electronic simulators, sites containing game tasks, innovative methods and techniques of teaching.