Partnered alongside Deaf Action NZ, the eight-week courses will run in early February in Invercargill, Winton and Te Anau, as well as a workshop in Queenstown.
Chairman Roger Strong said at present there were no interpreters in Southland which caused difficulties and frustrations for people who were deaf or hard of hearing.
This was an issue, specifically when they were needing emergency services or a doctor.
The closest interpreters were in Dunedin, he said.
"This makes things hard because we have to wait until they get here, and we often have to book appointments in advance which means in an emergency it makes things difficult."
Mr Strong said he had been teaching the language for five years and wanted to make sure people had access.
"When I was growing up I was sent to boarding school for the deaf [Van Asch College] in Christchurch.
"This was because my parents did not know enough sign language to communicate with me.
"This is why I want to teach sign language to everyone, and have a strong heart for Southland."
The community has grown a lot over the years and will add a new tutor Eliza Butcher in Winton.
Her classes were full and she could not wait to teach NZSL, Ms Butcher said.
"NZSL has its own grammar, facial expressions and signs.
"We really love sign language and want to share the language and culture in the community, especially because we know access is limited in Southland."
Vice-president and tutor Jaime Randhawa, who is about to finish her studies in NZSL and deaf studies at Auckland University of Technology, said it was important to keep the language alive.
"I’m passionate about teaching because I realised what was missing from me and so I don’t want others to miss out on that too.
