In GF One, Michael speaks very limited Italian. He gives up and reverts back to English during his conversation with Sollozzo. While in Sicily, he often required help translating from Fabrizzio.

In GF Two, we hear Michael using Italian a little more often and he seems to speak it more fluently. He seems more inclined and more comfortable speaking Italian more often. For example, he speaks a lot of Italian with Tom and his mother, even though it isn't necessary for him to do so, since both Tom and Carmela speak perfect English.

I wonder what made Michael learn Italian more, and want to use it more often. Did his exile in Sicily make him want to go back to his roots, perhaps?