harry potter - Do the Kwikspell courses work?

In Harry Potter we are introduced to Kwikspell course in The Chamber of Secrets (and never hear about it again).

We see Filch taking courses, presumably by mail.

The descriptions of Kwikspell make me think it is for people who are weak in magic (kind of like how Neville was supposed to be when he was younger), but had magic in them nonetheless.

However, Ron's comments later in the chapter make it sound like it is mainly for Squibs to learn magic.

However, it is strongly implied through out all the books that Squibs are essentially Muggles, and will never be able to do magic.

How then is a Kwikspell course supposed to work? Do we have any information to know if it works at all? Is it a scam?

An answer from any level of canon is welcome.

Answer

Kwikspell courses are (probably) useful to some wizards, but not to squibs.

The Kwikspell course literature comes with two testimonials.

Madam Z. Nettles of Topsham writes:
‘I had no memory for incantations and my potions were a family joke! Now, after a Kwikspell course, I am the centre of attention at parties and friends beg for the recipe of my Scintillation Solution!’
Warlock D. J. Prod of Didsbury says:
‘My wife used to sneer at my feeble charms but one month into your fabulous Kwikspell course I succeeded in turning her into a yak! Thank you, Kwikspell!’

_{^{Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}}

and states that they're useful for witches and wizards whose magical abilities are poor.

Kwikspell is an all-new, fail-safe, quick-result, easy-learn course. Hundreds of witches and wizards have benefited from the Kwikspell method!”

_{^{Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}}

Interestingly, D. J. Prod appears to have gone from zero to hero with Kwikspell, having gone from 'feeble at charms' to warlock. What we don't know is whether these testimonials are accurate, but it's notable that both quotes come from wizards with poor skills rather than (former) squibs.

Like most correspondence courses, they're probably most effective if you apply yourself and have some natural ability. JKR confirmed that Filch's course was utterly ineffective, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't work for everyone, just that it didn't work for him (presumably because no courses will help a squib to become magical).

Filch has carved himself a niche at Hogwarts and Arabella Figg operates as Dumbledore’s liaison between the magical and Muggle worlds. Neither of these characters can perform magic (Filch’s Kwikspell course never worked), but they still function within the wizarding world because they have access to certain magical objects and creatures that can help them

_{^{J.K.Rowling Official Site -Extra Stuff SQUIBS}}

It's also worth mentioning that another of Kwikspell's courses ("Wallop the Wombat Revision Course") is recommended by the Ministry of Magic itself to those who fail to achieve a passing grade in their W.O.M.B.A.T. tests. It seems highly unlikely that the Ministry would suggest people take courses from a company that offers courses that are known to be worthless scams.

(Do not be disheartened. You have only narrowly failed this most demanding examination, and with a little further study would be sure to pass. You are to be congratulated on a good attempt. We recommend a crammer course of evening classes. Send an owl for full details of the Wallop the Wombat Revision Course, available from the Kwikspell Company.

_{^{HP: Lexicon - WOMBAT Tests}}

Additionally, we have evidence (from JKR herself) that other "correspondence courses" are effective in teaching inexperienced wizards and witches.

Occasionally, too, the magical community in a given country is tiny or far-flung and correspondence courses have been found a more cost-effective means of educating the young.

_{^{Wizarding Schools - Pottermore}}

As to how the course actually functions, we learn in the Gameboy Colour game Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets that lesson #1 of the Kwikspell course ("Learn Magic Fast with Kwikspell!") covers

The appropriate way to hold your wand

The incantation for the Skurge (scouring) charm.

Which strongly suggests that the course comprises of one basic wizarding technique and one spell each lesson.

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