The novel coronavirus pandemic forced schools to implement remote instruction during spring 2020. I studied teachers’ perceptions of the implementation of newcomer and Finnish as a second language instruction during the remote period. Survey respondents considered remote instruction a burden on both students and teachers and thought students’ unfamiliarity with educational technology presented challenges. Benefits of remote instruction included students’ increased self-directedness in learning, the use of technologies for differentiation, and an increase in collaboration with colleagues and families.