Classroom learning is beneficial because of the structure it offers; you must make time for it, which forces you to study. This, however, can be a drawback too. Solitary studying, unlike classroom, allows you to study whenever you have free time and wherever you want. You don't have to set time aside and be at a specific place at a specific time. Classes are only offered at certain times, which may interfere with work or family obligations, or just be a bad time for you; morning classes are not conducive to learning for those who are not morning people.
The benefits of a classroom can be very expensive. You have to pay for the time of the teacher as well as for the place in which you study. Private school tuition can be quite expensive. A 28-hour course of study at The Goethe Institute for German in Chicago costs $380 as of January 2011. Tutors are even more expensive than classes and can cost $25 per hour or more. For most of the courses a person would choose to study independently, there are few materials needed, so the costs would be very low. Nowadays, many resources are available online for free.
Teachers must often teach to the students that are in the middle level of the class. By doing this, they reach the largest number; the lower-level students can still understand a lot and the higher-level students will not be bored. The material used in the classroom is also geared toward a broad range of students, which may not appeal to you. Solitary study allows you to focus on the aspects of the subject that interest you the most at your own speed. If you don't understand something, you can go over it until you do.
A classroom setting is not the ideal setting for all students. Some are too easily distracted by noise or the temptation of talking to those around them. Others find the social setting of a classroom intimidating, especially performing activities that draw attention to them, such as reading out loud, giving presentations or answering questions. Solitary studying insures an environment that is more comfortable and conducive to studying. Also, just because a teacher is a teacher doesn't insure quality. With self-discipline and your desire to learn, you can be your best teacher.