1. In a speech-enabled communications system for facilitating a digital information service, said communications system including television, a set top box, a speech input system, and a head-end, wherein a user activates said speech input system by activating a switch associated with operation of a speech input device, a method for providing a set of immediate speech feedback overlays to inform a user of said communications system's states, said method comprising the steps of: (a) checking if a current screen is speech-enabled when said switch is activated; (b) if the current screen is speech-enabled, displaying a first tab signaling that a speech input system is activated; (c) if the current screen is not speech-enabled, displaying a second tab signaling a non speech-enabled alert, said second tab staying on screen for a first interval; and (d) if said switch is re-activated, repeating Step (a).