Yeah, what he said.
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Arena:Classes
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Daggerfall:Intrinsic_Classes
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Morrowind:Classes
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Classes
As you can see, Skyrim was the only numbered TES game that did not have classes.
Actually, you can walk between some of the different (enormous) zones, which are not different continents. All of Tamriel is one continent, only the Summerset Isles are separated completely from it by water. You'd know this if you looked at the map. Later on, with future expansions, they will fill in the spots on the map which are currently inaccessible and you will be able to walk between more of the zones, if not all.
This game is absolutely nothing like SWTOR. You sound like a sensationalist.