Dear NT:

You wrote:
> Can one use the simple present tense when we are talking about
> instructions, orders or programs.
>
> 1-This week I go to the pool every day. (program)
> 2-This week you don’t watch TV. (order)
> 3-Today, we discuss Darwin’s theory. (program)
>
Yes, these all make sense but they sound “broken”–something a non-native speaker would probably ever say. All three would be more understandable in the present progressive. #1 would more likely be spoken in the progressive because the action is repeated daily–“This week I am going to the pool every day.”

#2 is fine if you want it to be imperative. You can be used in imperative sentences for emphasis as it is here. Native speakers would probably also say “any TV” to emphasize that there are no exceptions: “This week you are not watching any TV” or, even better, “You are not watching any TV all week.” But the listener would understand that is a command.

#3 would most likely also be spoken in the progressive unless you were going over a day-by-day schedule. Simple present would be used in a construction like this: “Last week we discussed Lamarck’s theory. Today we discuss Darwin’s theory. Next week we discuss Behe’s theory.” We were looking at it day by day. Otherwise, opt for the progressive: “Today we are discussing Darwin’s theory.”

We understand that many languages do not have progressive or imperfect verb tenses, so they can be a little mysterious. We hope this helps.