Given the important role of the affective variables in the process of learning, this paper examines ways of overcoming negative effects (i.e. anxiety, boredom) of the contextual factors. Exemplifying the uses of humor through context-specific, purpose-driven jokes, it maintains that humor can be utilized to produce a resourceful, encouraging and creative lesson at upper-intermediate and advanced levels at tertiary institutions. Among other benefits noted are smiling, laughter, non-threatening atmosphere, and self-confidence. Attempts of creating a compassionate environment in the classroom find their roots in Humanistic Teaching, Affective Filter hypothesis and Suggestopedia. Using the self-reported views of tertiary students, gathered through a questionnaire, the study reveals the attitudes of learners towards humor, discusses the benefits of humor, and seeks significant differences between and among learners in terms of sex and year level. The paper concludes that humor forms a vital component in lesson planning. (Contains 3 tables.)