hi eleanor:
1) to be honest, you probably do not need photography classes to learn about photography. the national library (yes, the one that is not used enough, yet is everywhere) has loads of photography books AND magazines that will give you a rough idea as to the technicalities, and stuff you can do with your camera. and as a bonus, you get to look at nice nice pretty pictures while you're at it, especially for the magazines.
2) shooting and being self-critical, is enough to a certain point, i suppose. posting on clubsnap, and listening to constructive comments, and taking them positively, and thereby applying what you have learnt in the future, is probably just as useful, if not more useful than a photography teacher. but in a sense, you cannot compare the two, they are like apples and oranges.. though i suppose with the right attitude and effort, you will get there eventually, is just two different paths. the newbies here (well self-proclaimed newbies, some of them are really good if you ask me) organise outings now and then, you can also join them. as an added bonus you can make friends too! as it is usually a large group, you do not have to worry as much about.. funny going ons happening. though be careful at all times. same applies.
3) that said, if you find that you do not have the discipline (and there is
nothing wrong with that), then perhaps you could sign up for courses with some of the photography clubs, sometimes they advertise here on clubsnap, then you can just ask for more details.
hope this helps. from personal experience, i have never attended any photography or photoshop class.. not because there isn't a need to.. but i just prefer learning things myself. cheers