A)

although (aunque)

even though (aun cuando)

+ SUBJECT + VERB

though (aunque, pero)

-  David enjoys his job, although he would like to have more responsibility.
   David disfruta de su trabajo aunque le gustaría tener más responsabilidad. 

-  Even though Sarah works long hours, she finds time for reading.
   Aun cuando Sara trabaja muchas horas, ella encuentra tiempo para leer.

-  My brother has never been to Japan, though he's fluent in Japanese.
   Mi hermano nunca ha estado en Japón pero habla Japonés con fluidez.

B)

despite (a pesar de)

+ NOUN
or
+ VERB + ING

in spite of (a pesar de)

-  Despite the recession, we achieved reasonable profits.
   A pesar de la recesión hemos logrado aceptables ganancias. 

-  Our president still thinks he'II win the election, in spite of the polls.
   Nuestro presidente cree que va ganar la elección a pesar de las encuestas.

-  I haven't finished the report yet, despite working overtime last night.
   Aún no he terminado el informe a pesar de trabajar horas extras anoche.

Para expresar la última de las ideas anteriores, también podemos utilizar despite the fact that... (a pesar de que...) o in spite of the fact that... (a pesar de que). Observa estos ejemplos:

-  Despite the fact that I worked overtime last night, I haven't finished the report.
   A pesar de que he trabajado horas extras anoche, no he terminado el informe. 

-  In spite of the fact that I worked overtime last night, I haven't finished the report.
   A pesar de que he trabajado horas extras anoche, no he terminado el informe. 

Finalmente, compara estas dos oraciones que tienen el mismo significado pero utilizan VERBO (a) y SUSTANTIVO (b) en su construcción:

a)  Although sales fell during May, we are meeting our target.
     Aunque las ventas cayeron en mayo, estamos cumpliendo el objetivo.

b)  Despite the fall in sales during May, we are meeting our target.
     A pesar de la caida de las ventas en mayo, estamos cumpliendo el objetivo.

¿Ha quedado un poco más claro, amigo/a hispanoparlante?

Entonces te desafiamos a que completes esta actividad volviendo a escribir cada oración COMENZANDO con el conector indicado.

1.

Despite the increase in their salaries, 60 per cent of Japanese workers still spend Saturday at work.
EVEN THOUGH...

2.

Even though the fact that gift giving is a common practice in Japan, the gifts should never be opened in front of the giver.
ALTHOUGH...

3.

Despite foreign speakers are advised to show respect for their Japanese audience, many of them begin their speeches with a joke.
DESPITE THE FACT THAT...

4.

Many Japanese business executives say that they believe strongly in free trade, though Japan's continuing preference for buying at home.
DESPITE...

5.

Although some Japanese women are successful in business, the majority of Japanese companies are run by men.
IN SPITE OF...